Minnesota Mayors Encouraged to Sign Proclamation for DSP Week 2020

 

Help recognize the amazing work Direct Support Professionals do!

The week of September 13-19, 2020 is DSP Recognition Week. DSP Week is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities.

The Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) and ARRM have reached out to all Mayors in Minnesota to sign the following proclamation:

Declaring September 13-19, 2020 as

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

Whereas: Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the primary providers of community-based long-term support services for tens of thousands of individuals with disabilities in Minnesota; and

Whereas: DSPs are valued for their work in building close, respectful, and trusted relationships with individuals to assist them with their most intimate needs; and

Whereas: DSPs provide essential support to individuals with disabilities to stay connected to family, friends, coworkers, and the community, helping them to define and live a quality life; and

Whereas: DSPs provide a broad range of individualized supports, including meal preparation, medication assistance, personal care and life skills training, mobility, work and life enrichment opportunities and other daily tasks; and

Whereas: DSPs support informed choices and person-centered practices that honor and respect the individuals with disabilities they serve; and

Whereas: During the COVID-19 outbreak, DSPs have played an instrumental role in ensuring safety and maintaining dedicated support and care for those they serve; and

Whereas: An adequate workforce of high-quality DSPs is necessary for the people of Minnesota to meet obligations to people with disabilities and minimize more costly settings such as hospitals or institutions; and

Whereas: DSPs are one of the fastest growing positions in America and demand for their skills is great, yet low wages and demographic trends are creating a growing shortage of DSPs, leading to increased turnover; and

Whereas: Public officials are key advocates in building awareness and addressing the issues facing this publicly funded workforce.

Now, therefore, I, as Mayor

do hereby proclaim September 13-19, 2020 as

DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK

 

See if your city’s Mayor has signed the proclamation at https://mohrmn.org/