Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 13-19, 2026, as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1185

BY: M. of A. Santabarbara

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        September   13-19,   2026,   as    Direct    Support
        Professional  Recognition  Week  in the State of New
        York

  WHEREAS, Individuals and  organizations  devoted  to  improving  the
quality  of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and
self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and

  WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and
organizations  to  be  recognized  for   the   significance   of   their
contributions  and  efforts  to  assist  others in developing the skills
necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  memorialize
Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  September  13-19, 2026, as Direct
Support Professional Recognition Week in  the  State  of  New  York,  in
conjunction  with the observance of National Direct Support Professional
Week; and

  WHEREAS, Direct Support Professional Recognition  Week  provides  us
with  an  opportunity to pause, acknowledge, and highlight the dedicated
direct support workforce that is the heart  and  soul  of  supports  for
people with disabilities; and

  WHEREAS,  Direct  support  workers,  direct  care  workers, personal
assistants,   personal   attendants,   in-home   support   workers   and
paraprofessionals are the primary providers of publicly funded long-term
supports  and  services  for thousands of New Yorkers with developmental
disabilities; and

  WHEREAS, Direct support professionals' first allegiance  is  to  the
person  they support; they must build a close, trusted relationship with
an individual with disabilities; and

  WHEREAS, In 2017, the majority of direct support professionals  were
employed  in  home  and  community  based  settings  and  this  trend is
projected to increase over the decade; and

  WHEREAS, A direct support professional assists  an  individual  with
disabilities with the most intimate needs, on a daily basis, including a
broad  range  of  supports  such  as  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 is responsible for supporting
the   emotional,   physical,  and  personal  well-being  of  individuals
receiving support, helping  to  keep  an  individual  with  disabilities
connected to the family and community of the individual; and

  WHEREAS,   Direct  support  professionals  enable  individuals  with
disabilities to live self-directed,  meaningful  and  productive  lives;

they  are  the  key  to allowing an individual with disabilities to live
more successfully in the community; and

  WHEREAS,  Direct support professionals respect the human dignity and
uniqueness of the people they support; they  advocate  with  the  people
they  support,  promoting  their  human  rights,  their civil rights and
responsibilities; and

  WHEREAS, This  Legislative  Body  appreciates  the  contribution  of
direct support professionals in supporting the needs of individuals with
developmental  disabilities and their families in the State of New York,
and further recognizes them as  integral  in  supporting  the  long-term
support and services system in this great Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative Body finds the successful implementation
of the public  policies  of  the  State  of  New  York  depends  on  the
dedication of direct support professionals; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 13-19, 2026,  as
Direct  Support  Professional Recognition Week in the State of New York;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.