RECOGNIZING MAY 20, 2025, AS "DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL" ADVOCACY DAY.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Johnson & Sen. Poore

Reps. Osienski, Griffith, Heffernan, K. Williams, Morrison, Kamela Smith, Yearick; Sens. Sokola, Townsend, Hansen, Mantzavinos, Huxtable, Cruce, Hocker, Buckson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 56

RECOGNIZING MAY 20, 2025, AS "DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL" ADVOCACY DAY.

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals serve people with disabilities and other life challenges with dedication and distinction so they may live their best lives; and

WHEREAS, thousands of vulnerable adults continue to require the community-based services of these essential workers, who are employed by non-profit organizations like Mosaic in Delaware, Easterseals, KenCrest, Forward Journey, KSI, and others; and

WHEREAS, A-Team Delaware is an organization of parents and caregivers who advocate to raise awareness on the needs of Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifespan, including the need for well-trained and fairly compensated Direct Support Professionals; and

WHEREAS, the need for additional Direct Support Professionals staffing in community service providers far outweighs the current workforce; and

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals are trained and highly skilled healthcare employees; and

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals are not minimum wage workers; and

WHEREAS, Direct Support Professionals need greater compensation that is commiserate with the level of skill and professionalism their work requires; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly has expressed its support for the work done by Direct Support Professionals by including additional funds to stabilize this workforce in previous state budgets; and

WHEREAS, “Direct Support Professional” advocacy day is to acknowledge the need to recognize Direct Support Professionals as healthcare professionals by increasing funding of intellectual and developmental disability services, co-sponsored by Ability Network Delaware and A-Team Delaware and is taking place on May 20, 2025.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED

that the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein,

hereby recognizes the important role that Direct Support Professionals play in meeting the human service needs of our citizens, expresses its sincere gratitude to these essential workers for their commitment to serving their fellow human beings, and

recognizes May 20, 2025, as “Direct Support Professional” Advocacy Day.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the historic sacrifices and ongoing contributions of Delaware's Direct Support Professionals serving vulnerable adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also recognizes importance and expertise of Direct Support Professionals to our state and establishes May 20th as “Direct Support Professional” Advocacy Day sponsored by the Ability Network of Delaware and A-Team Delaware.