Turnover & Staffing Remain Key Concerns For I/DD Direct Support Professional Workforce

A workforce survey revealed high turnover and vacancy rates among direct support professionals (DSPs), hampering provider organizations' ability to provide proper care to individuals with intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD).

Researchers from the National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI-IDD) collaborative conducted a survey of 3,936 provider agencies representing 344,179 DSPs in 26 states and the District of Columbia. They found high turnover and increased vacancy rates. Of the DSPs employed by respondents as of December 31, 2024, 39.1% had only been employed there for one year or less.

Among responding provider organizations who distinguished . . .