Whereas direct support professionals, including direct care workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers, and paraprofessionals, are key to providing publicly funded, long-term support and services for millions of individuals with disabilities; Whereas direct support professionals provide essential support that ensures that individuals with disabilities are— (1) included as a valued part of the community of the individual; (2) supported at home, at work, and in the communities of the United States; and (3) empowered to live with the dignity that all people of the United States deserve; Whereas all communities have a stake in ensuring that individuals with disabilities thrive through the connections of the individuals to their families, friends, and communities, fostered by the direct support professionals of those individuals, so as to avoid more costly institutional care; Whereas direct support professionals support individuals with disabilities by helping those individuals make person-centered choices that lead to meaningful, productive lives; Whereas direct support professionals must build close, respectful, and trusting relationships with individuals with disabilities; Whereas direct support professionals provide a broad range of individualized support to individuals with disabilities, including— (1) assisting with the preparation of meals; (2) helping with medication; (3) assisting with bathing, dressing, and other aspects of daily living; (4) assisting with access to the environment of the individuals; (5) providing transportation to school, work, religious, and recreational activities; and (6) helping with general daily affairs, such as assisting with financial matters, medical appointments, and personal interests; Whereas there is a documented critical and increasing shortage of direct support professionals throughout the United States