US SENATE RESOLVES UNANIMOUSLY

Direct Support Professionals Need Recognition, and More

By Kathy Hamilton

Despite all the partisan politics in Washington, there is one thing our federal representatives—whether Republicans or Democrats—all agree on: the workforce of direct support professionals is an invaluable part of life for Americans with disabilities.

For many people with disabilities, full participation in the community is possible because of the work of direct support professionals. These professionals provide many types of assistance, such as goal-oriented support designed to improve functional ability, transportation, health care, or housekeeping and other home management-related assistance.

At United Counseling Service, direct support professionals play a vital role in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the tools they need to be able to live and work in their communities. They are valuable front-line workers providing a wide range of supports on a day-to-day basis to our neighbors with disabilities.

In many cases, these professionals provide clinical services in a therapeutic environment and supportive atmosphere that encourage clients to take risks and meet challenges to achieve optimal social functioning, skill development, and personal growth.

Through stable, long-term relationships, direct support professionals enable people with disabilities to achieve greater independence, functionality, and community integration.

For example, some people with developmental disabilities find communication to be extremely challenging. Helen, a nonverbal client at United Counseling Service, historically only talked about three things. Our direct service staff introduced her to a voice output communication device and focused her on using words. Now she can speak many words and some sentences clearly.

Another nonverbal client who was introduced to facilitated communication this past year can now type her feelings, likes and dislikes. She has far more control of her day-to-day activities than ever before.

This past winter, a client who lived for many years in a Shared Living Home moved into her own apartment. With staff support she’s been able to learn to learn how to independently take the bus to the grocery store and run other errands. She’s thrilled to be doing things on her own and she’s exceeded her own and everyone else’s expectations.

Employment staff worked with George every day at his job going over each task step-by step, over and over to ensure he knew what to do. He learned it so well that, for the first time in his life, he was promoted.

These types of breakthroughs transform our clients’ lives and expand their worlds. In all of these examples, and many, many others, direct service staff played the critical role in facilitating these excellent outcomes.

And that’s why Democrats and Republicans were able to come together to unanimously approve Senate Resolution 228, recognizing the contributions of this workforce and declaring the week of September 14th to be Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.

The resolution also cites the growing shortage of direct support professionals. “Many direct support professionals are forced to leave jobs due to inadequate wages and benefits, creating high turnover and vacancy rates that adversely affect individuals with disabilities.”

I am grateful that direct support staff are being recognized for the critical role they play in community-based health care. But it is important for all of us that the recognition ultimately translates into something more.

Direct support staff deserve better wages and benefits, as well as our respect and thanks.