NADSP Advocacy

The mission of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is “to elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their knowledge, skills and values.” When it comes to the “promoting system reform” component of our mission, it’s essential that we actively engage in advocacy to advance policy and legislation that benefits direct support professionals (DSPs). To live out our mission, we are producing resources, working with legislators, and partnering with national organizations to amplify the voices of DSPs and drive systemic change at all levels.

2025 Disability Policy Seminar

NADSP was excited to join the Disability Policy Seminar as partner this spring in Washington, D.C. The Disability Policy Seminar is an annual federal legislative conference focused on cultivating champions on Capitol Hill and advancing the grassroots movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

NADSP’s Latest Policy Updates

NADSP Senior Policy Advisor Nicole Jorwic shares the latest policy updates. Click the learn more button below for our most recent advocacy alerts. 

NADSP Policy Priorities

NADSP has prioritized the following proposed legislation in its advocacy efforts. Our organization is actively working to secure support for these bills by increasing the number of cosponsors and organizing advocacy efforts through public policy events and initiatives.

At this time, NADSP is actively monitoring proposed legislation in the 2025 United States House and Senate. If you have any questions on NADSP’s policy priorities, please email our Senior Policy Advisors, Nicole Jorwic (njorwic@nadsp.org) and Gary Blumenthal (gblumenthal@nadsp.org). 

“I believe that NADSP’s advocacy efforts will one day lead to true, systemic change that will improve the lives of many.”

- Joseph Macbeth, NADSP President & CEO

NADSP Advocacy & Policy Resources

NADSP has produced a number of different articles, guides, videos etc. to help educate DSPs and inform the broader human services field. These materials provide information about NADSP’s legislative priorities, advocacy efforts, and more.

A young woman with Down syndrome is high-fiving an older woman while sitting on a couch

Advocate “With” People On Election Day and Beyond

The following article is part of an ongoing series about the NADSP Competency Areas. The NADSP Competency Areas offer DSPs the ...
DSP Voter Guide

DSP Voter Guide

*Disclaimer: The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is a non-partisan 501(c)3 organization, this guide is meant to share ...
Action Alert: NADSP August 2024 Recess Toolkit

Action Alert: NADSP August 2024 Recess Toolkit

NADSP Senior Policy Adviser Nicole Jorwic is back with more policy updates. As outlined in this video, August recess is ...
Action Alert: Public Comments Needed Regarding Need for a Specific SOC for DSPs

Action Alert: Public Comments Needed Regarding Need for a Specific SOC for DSPs

In June, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published the Federal Register notice announcing review of the 2018 Standard Occupational ...
Justice, Fairness and Equity on Independence Day

Justice, Fairness and Equity on Independence Day

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) has been established for nearly a quarter century with a mission to ...
The Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act

The Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act

Last week, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the Long Term Care ...
Action Alert: Certified Direct Support Professional to Testify to Senate Special Commitee

Action Alert: Certified Direct Support Professional to Testify to Senate Special Commitee

United States Senate Special Committee on Aging Full Committee Meeting Tuesday, April 16, 2024 10:00AM (EDT) Featuring Nick Smith, DSP-1, ...
Meet Our 2024 Advocacy Symposium Keynote, Malachi Cereghino

Meet Our 2024 Advocacy Symposium Keynote, Malachi Cereghino

We are thrilled to announce our esteemed keynote speaker for the upcoming National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) 2024 ...

Advocacy & Policy Sponsors

We would like to thank the following organizations for their support of NADSP’s advocacy initiatives. Their partnership helps ensure that NADSP can continue its efforts to promote system reform that will positively impact DSPs.

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