House Committee to Mark Up Key Legislation Including Direct Support Professionals Act

On Wednesday, July 10, at 10:15 am EDT, the Education and the Workforce Committee will mark up several pieces of legislation, including H.R. 2941, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act.

The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, H.R. 2941, is crucial for bolstering the long-term supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who rely on the services of direct support professionals (DSPs) to live and work in their communities.

The bill asks the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider establishing a specific Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). This classification is crucial for enhancing and professionalizing the DSP workforce by enabling accurate and comprehensive data collection. With a unique SOC code, policymakers will gain better insights into employment trends within the direct support sector, facilitating more effective policy responses to address critical workforce issues.

Currently, DSPs are not federally recognized under a unique SOC code, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate inclusion in various occupational classifications. This lack of recognition hampers the ability of state and federal agencies to gather data on DSP turnover rates and other vital metrics, impeding efforts to address the workforce crisis. A dedicated SOC for DSPs would provide the necessary data to inform policies aimed at improving workforce stability and care quality for individuals with disabilities.

ANCOR encourages its members and supporters to continue their advocacy by using ANCOR’s action alert to contact their Members of Congress. Highlighting the importance of federal recognition for DSPs will help advance this critical legislation, ultimately improving the lives of individuals with disabilities nationwide.