Press Room
On The Issues
Photo Gallery
Multimedia
Committees
eNewsletter Sign-up
Just For Kids!

Contact Stephanie
Flag Requests
Visit DC
Casework
Internships
Academy Nominations

Sponsored 110th
Co-Sponsored 110th
Sponsored 109th
Co-Sponsored 109th
Sponsored 108th
Co-Sponsored 108th

About Stephanie
About South Dakota
Useful Links
Thomas
Veterans History
   Project

HERSETH SANDLIN MEETS WITH, RECOGNIZES WORK OF SOUTH DAKOTA DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

Leaders from Rapid City, Spearfish and Winner Visit DC to Discuss Support and Services for People with Disabilities

Washington, DC, September 9th, 2008-Today, Rep. Herseth Sandlin met with representatives of the Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections to discuss legislative issues of importance to organizations serving people with disabilities. During the meeting, Rep. Herseth Sandlin presented attendees with a copy of the Congressional Record statement she submitted recognizing the important work of the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) employed by these organizations. A full copy of the statement submitted to the Congressional Record can be found below.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin presents a copy of her Congressional Record statement recognizing the work of Direct Support Professionals to representatives of the Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center and Community Connections.

From Left to Right: Fred Romkema, CEO of Northern Hills Training Center; Barry Gates, Direct Support Professional from the Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Rep. Herseth Sandlin; McKenzie Umberger, Direct Support Professional from Northern Hills Training Center; Brad Saathoff, CEO of Black Hills Workshop and Training Center; and Becca Carlson, Director of Community Connections, Inc.

Representatives of the Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections are in Washington, D.C. this week to take part in the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) 2008 Governmental Activities Seminar.

REP. HERSETH SANDLIN: Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work of employees at three excellent South Dakota organizations, Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections, who have each sent representatives to Washington, D.C. this week to take part in the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) 2008 Governmental Activities Seminar.

In my work in Congress, I have made fair and equitable treatment of people with disabilities a priority. Identifying the key issues and areas on which to focus has been the result of a dialogue with those who know the issues best: people like the employees at Black Hills Workshop, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections. These good folks are working in South Dakota right now to provide direct support and services to individuals with disabilities of all ages.

Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections employ nearly 600 direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide a range of supports seven days a week, 24-hours a day to help those with mental and physical disabilities live and work in their community. Together this outstanding, highly trained, highly skilled, and highly committed workforce supports nearly 800 people with disabilities in South Dakota as they strive to live up to their potential and be as independent as they can be. Many of the people receiving supports from DSPs, both at these three agencies and around the country, hold paid and volunteer jobs, contributing a great deal to their communities. But without the dedicated daily work of DSPs, such contributions may not be possible and the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families would be disrupted and unfulfilled.

Without an adequately paid, trained and dedicated workforce, our nation’s individuals with disabilities and their families face a less secure future. Without the necessary workforce, providers cannot help our nation fulfill the commitment Congress made to people with disabilities in the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed in its Olmstead decision.

I applaud the people at Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Northern Hills Training Center, and Community Connections for taking a lead on this workforce issue. And, as a member of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I encourage all of my Colleagues to examine their commitment to providing the best support possible to the people with disabilities in their districts.

There is no better way to recognize the contribution DSPs make to the nation than to ensure that they are fairly compensated. Direct support professionals make a difference; they should make a living too. I ask that my colleagues join with me in cosponsoring the bipartisan Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act (H.R. 1279) and to urge hearings on this important issue in the coming months. Thank you.