For the first time, New York State is participating in a national survey on the quality and stability of the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce. The survey is called The 2016 National Core Indicators Staff Stability Survey.
DSP Turnover is a National Crisis
There is a national crisis in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field. The 2015 National Core Indicators Staff Stability Survey reported that there is a 45% turnover rate across the United States for DSPs. This means that almost half of the DSP workforce left their job in 2015.
There are a number of reasons why DSPs leave their job. These reasons range from low wages to lack of professional support. The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) says that this trend is a “public health crisis.” Without DSPs, provider agencies cannot provide quality support to people with disabilities.
New York State is experiencing this turnover crisis. Data is needed on vacancy rates, wages, benefits, length of employment, and turnover rates for DSPs. With this data, we can better address the needs of DSPs and the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Providers Asked to Participate in Survey of DSPs
The 2016 National Core Indicators Staff Stability Survey will collect data from all of New York State’s providers who hire DSPs and provide support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We want to capture the most accurate picture of the DSP workforce in New York State. Therefore, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is asking for all qualifying providers to participate in the 2016 National Core Indicators Staff Stability Survey.
With this data, New York State can better work to recruit, retain, and support DSPs. The goal is to support our DSPs and ultimately provide quality support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.