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.

Exterior image of the US Capitol building

2022 NADSP Advocacy Symposium

NADSP held its first-ever national advocacy event to bring the DSP perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration.

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.

S.1437 – Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

Current Status: Introduced in Senate (4/28/21)

The aim of S.1437 – Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act is “to require the Office of Management and Budget to revise the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a separate code for direct support professionals, and for other purposes.”

View Sponsor / Cosponsers

Sponsor:

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Cosponsors:

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
  • Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
  • Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

H.R.4779 – Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

Current Status: Introduced in House (7/28/21)

The aim of H.R.4779 – Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act is “to require the Office of Management and Budget to revise the Standard Occupational Classification system to establish a separate code for direct support professionals, and for other purposes.”

View Sponsor / Cosponsers

Sponsor:

  • Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4]

Cosponsors:

  • Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
  • Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
  • Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
  • Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]
  • Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
  • Rep. Manning, Kathy E. [D-NC-6]
  • Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]

S.2344 – Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act

Current Status: Introduced in Senate (7/14/21)

The aim of S.2344 – Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act is “to award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers.”

View Sponsor / Cosponsers

Sponsor:

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

Cosponsors:

  • Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
  • Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

H.R.2999 – Direct CARE Opportunity Act

Current Status: Introduced in House (5/4/21)

The aim of H.R.2999 – Direct CARE Opportunity Act is “to award grants for the recruitment, retention, and advancement of direct care workers.”

View Sponsor / Cosponsers

Sponsor:

  • Rep. Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3]

Cosponsors:

  • Rep. Wild, Susan [D-PA-7]
  • Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
  • Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11]

“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.

Caring for the Future: The Power and Potential of America’s Direct Care Workforce

Caring for the Future: The Power and Potential of America’s Direct Care Workforce

This report provides a detailed profile of these workers; a segmented look at the long-term care industry; a discussion on ...
Learn More >
NADSP Supports the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

NADSP Supports the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a bi-partisan bill  titled, Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals ...
Learn More >
We Won an Award!

We Won an Award!

It has been an exciting week over here at NADSP. We started the week rallying for bFair2DirectCare with hundreds of ...
Learn More >
Frontline Initiative: The Changing Roles of the DSP

Frontline Initiative: The Changing Roles of the DSP

A newsletter issue recognizing the changing role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP). This issue highlights public policies that can ...
Learn More >
Here's an update on that petition, by the numbers.

Here’s an update on that petition, by the numbers.

It was less than two weeks ago. NADSP launched a brand new campaign, and it definitely did launch. The response ...
Learn More >
Direct Support Professionals Don't Have One. They Work Anonymously.

Direct Support Professionals Don’t Have One. They Work Anonymously.

The code for a Certified Nursing Assistant is 31-1014. The code for a Home Health Aide is 31-1121. The code ...
Learn More >
Establish a Direct Support Professional Standard Occupational Classification

Establish a Direct Support Professional Standard Occupational Classification

The statistics are extremely troubling for Direct Support Professionals. Turnover rates average around 45%. Vacancy rates are at roughly 9% ...
Learn More >
Impact: The Direct Support Workforce

Impact: The Direct Support Workforce

This Impact examines some of the workforce challenges in our long-term care system and their consequences for people with disabilities, ...
Learn More >

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.

No posts found.