SR0904LRB100 14523 MST 29311 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Direct support professionals are the primary
3providers of publicly-funded, long-term support and services
4for thousands of children and adults with intellectual and
5developmental disabilities in Illinois; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Direct support professionals build close,
7respectful, and trusted relationships with the persons they
8help support; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Direct support professionals provide a broad
10range of individualized support and assistance with tasks such
11as eating, bathing, administering medication, job and life
12skills training, money management, meal preparation, and
13reading; and
 
14    WHEREAS, There is a documented critical and growing
15shortage of direct support professionals in Illinois that is
16directly correlated to low wages that are often below the
17federal poverty level; and
 
18    WHEREAS, This staffing crisis gravely impacts the quality
19of life and personal safety of persons with disabilities in
20Illinois; and
 

 

 

SR0904- 2 -LRB100 14523 MST 29311 r

1    WHEREAS, In order to continue to enhance the lives of
2persons with disabilities and their families who rely on
3long-term supports and services, community providers who
4employ direct support professionals must obtain the resources
5to recruit, train, and retain a highly qualified and
6sustainable workforce; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The "They Deserve More" coalition is engaged in a
8statewide effort to address the staffing crisis affecting
9services to people with disabilities and their families in
10Illinois; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The only solution to this ever-worsening crisis is
12to increase state funding to provide a living and competitive
13wage for direct support professionals; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Illinoisans recognize and celebrate the
15contributions of direct support professionals that help
16strengthen our communities by fostering greater inclusion for
17persons with disabilities; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare September
2011-15, 2017 as "Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week"
21in the State of Illinois, and we recognize the vital role of
22direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of children

 

 

SR0904- 3 -LRB100 14523 MST 29311 r

1and adults with disabilities and their families.