09/03/2026
Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed September 13–19, 2026 as Oregon Direct Support Professional Recognition Week — and we couldn't be prouder to celebrate the people at the heart of it.
More than 10,848 Direct Support Professionals across Oregon show up every day for roughly 36,551 Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They're there for the morning routine and the hard conversation. They learn how someone communicates when words aren't the way. They navigate complex health and behavioral needs, celebrate the wins, and hold steady through the changes. They make it possible for people to live the lives they choose — at home, at work, and fully in community.
That's not a job description. That's the backbone of community living in this state.
Thank you to Governor Kotek and her team for once again recognizing this workforce, and for seeing what DSPs make possible. Recognition on paper matters — it tells 10,848 people that the state sees them.
We know the work isn't finished. Oregon still faces a serious DSP shortage, and ORA will keep pushing alongside the providers who employ them for better wages, stronger benefits, and real pathways to build a career in this field. But this week, the point is simpler than that.
This week, we say thank you.
Share a story. Recognize a team member by name. Tag a DSP who has made a difference in your life or your organization. If you've been supported by a DSP, tell us what they did — we'd love to hear it.
To every DSP in Oregon: we see you, and we're grateful.
