K 748: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 7-13, 2025, as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 748 BY: M. of A. Santabarbara MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 7-13, 2025, 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 7-13, 2025, as Direct Support Professional Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Direct Support Professional Week; and WHEREAS, Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week (September 7-13, 2025) 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 7-13, 2025, 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.