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.
