SENATE MEMORIAL 14

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A MEMORIAL

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

     WHEREAS, community-based agencies statewide deliver quality services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and to children with, or at risk of, developmental delay; and

     WHEREAS, there are more than forty-five thousand individuals in New Mexico with developmental disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, there are more than six thousand children in New Mexico that have, or are at risk of, developmental delay; and

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

     WHEREAS, persons with developmental disabilities require specialized, lifelong individualized services and support; and

     WHEREAS, persons with developmental disabilities and their families have increasingly expressed their desire to receive community-based and community-integrated services in preference to institutional care; and

     WHEREAS, the demand for community-based care continues to grow as family caregivers age, individuals with developmental disabilities live longer, waiting lists grow and services expand; and

     WHEREAS, other than family caregivers, private provider employers of direct-care professionals deliver the majority of services for persons with developmental disabilities and children with developmental delay; and

     WHEREAS, direct-care professionals provide a wide array of supportive services to individuals with developmental disabilities and to children with, or at risk of, developmental delay on a daily basis, including habilitation, personal care, employment, transportation, recreation, residential support and children's early intervention services, so that these individuals can successfully live, attend school, work and participate in community life; and

     WHEREAS, high employee vacancy and turnover rates of more than fifty percent annually threaten the ability of providers to achieve their core mission, which is the provision of safe and high quality support to individuals with developmental disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, direct-care professionals are well-trained committed individuals, dedicated to providing quality individualized services to persons with developmental disabilities and to children with, or at risk of, developmental delay;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that recognition and appreciation be expressed to New Mexico's large cadre of direct-care professionals who provide quality community-based services to persons with developmental disabilities and to children with, or at risk of, developmental delay; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the statewide association of developmental disability providers.

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