LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim September 12 - 18, 2010, as Direct Support Professionals Recog-
nition Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Direct support workers, direct care workers, personal assist-
ants, personal attendants, in-home support workers and paraprofessionals
are the primary providers of publicly-funded long term support and
services for millions of individuals; and
WHEREAS, A direct support professional must build a close, trusted
relationship with an individual with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, A direct support professional assists an individual with
disabilities with the most intimate needs, on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, Direct support professionals provide a broad range of
support, including: preparation of meals; helping with medications;
bathing; dressing; mobility; getting to school, work, religious and
recreational activities; and general daily affairs; and
WHEREAS, A direct support professional provides essential support to
help keep an individual with disabilities connected to family and commu-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Direct support professionals enable individuals with disabil-
ities to live meaningful, productive lives; and
WHEREAS, Direct support professionals are the key to allowing an indi-
vidual with disabilities to live successfully in the community of the
individual, and to avoid more costly institutional care; and
WHEREAS, Federal and State policies, as well as the Supreme Court, in
Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), assert the right of an individual
to live in the home and community of the individual; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, the majority of direct support professionals are
employed in home and community based settings and this trend is project-
ed to increase over the next decade; and
WHEREAS, There is a critical and growing shortage of direct support
professionals in every community throughout the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Many direct support professionals are forced to leave jobs
due to inadequate wages and benefits, creating high turnover and vacancy
rates that research demonstrates adversely affects the quality of
support to individuals with disabilities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim September 12-18,
2010, as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week in the State of
New York, recognizing the dedication and vital role of direct support
professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities of
all ages; appreciating the contribution of direct support professionals
in supporting the needs that reach beyond the capacities of thousands of
families in the State of New York; and commending direct support profes-
sionals as integral in supporting the long term support and service
system in the State of New York, and finding the successful implementa-
tion of the public policies of the State of New York depends on the
dedication of direct support professionals; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.