42 USC § 15111 - Findings

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s15111"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 15111 - Findings"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "15111"
section_name: "Findings"
chapter_number: 144
chapter_name: "DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS"
subchapter_number: "III"
subchapter_name: "PROGRAM FOR DIRECT SUPPORT WORKERS WHO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 106–402, title III, § 301, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1734.)"
---


# § 15111. Findings

Congress finds that—

**(1)** direct support workers, especially young adults, have played essential roles in providing the support needed by individuals with developmental disabilities and expanding community options for those individuals;

**(2)** 4 factors have contributed to a decrease in the available pool of direct support workers, specifically—

**(A)** the small population of individuals who are age 18 through 25, an age group that has been attracted to direct support work in the past;

**(B)** the rapid expansion of the service sector, which attracts individuals who previously would have elected to pursue employment as direct support workers;

**(C)** the failure of wages in the human services sector to keep pace with wages in other service sectors; and

**(D)** the lack of quality training and career advancement opportunities available to direct support workers; and

**(3)** individuals with developmental disabilities benefit from assistance from direct support workers who are well trained, and benefit from receiving services from professionals who have spent time as direct support workers.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 106–402, title III, § 301, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1734.)