A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION FOR DIRECT CARE STAFF WHO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

WHEREAS, there are more than eight million Americans who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, there are more than twenty-seven thousand New Mexicans who have mental retardation or other developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, persons with developmental disabilities of any age have substantial functional limitations related to a mental or physical impairment, including mental retardation and brain trauma; and

WHEREAS, these persons require specialized, lifelong individualized services and support; and

WHEREAS, for the past two decades, individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities and their families have increasingly expressed their desire to receive community-based and community-integrated services as an alternative to institutional care; and

WHEREAS, the United States supreme court, in its Olmstead decision, affirmed the right of these individuals to receive community-based care as an alternative to institutional care; and

WHEREAS, the demand for community-based care is growing as states move to comply with the Olmstead decision and continue to move more individuals from institutions into the community; and

WHEREAS, the demand will continue to grow as family

caregivers age, individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities live longer, waiting lists grow and services expand; and

WHEREAS, outside of families, private providers that employ direct support professionals deliver the majority of services for individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, direct support professionals provide a wide range of supportive services to individuals with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities on a day-to-day basis, including habilitation, health needs, personal care, hygiene, employment, transportation, recreation, housekeeping and other home management-related supports and services so that these individuals can live and work in their communities; and

WHEREAS, high rates of employee vacancies and turnover rates ranging from forty to seventy-five percent annually threaten the ability of providers to achieve their core mission, which is the provision of safe and quality supports to individuals with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition and appreciation be extended to New Mexico's large cadre of dedicated direct support professionals, who provide quality community-based services to persons with developmental disabilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to each identified developmental disabilities community-based care provider.