305938
Use of competency-based training for strengthening and stabilizing the workforce supporting people with IDD
A total of 147 sites participated in this study, representing 1220 DSPs. Mean site wages across all sites was $11.26 per hour (sd=1.38), with day services (M=12.50, sd=1.47) offering significantly higher mean DSP wages than residential services (M=11.06, sd=1.27; t(109)=4.01, p<.001). Across all sites, the annual turnover rate for DSPs was 25.76% (sd=19.88).
To further investigate the issues of DSP turnover, the investigators examined differences in turnover rate (from baseline to post-intervention) among treatment and control sites. ANCOVA results suggest that there was a statistically significant decline in turnover in the intervention sites, when setting (residential or day services), average level of IDD in the site, average site wage, and average DSP educational attainment were all controlled (F(1, 146)=4.164, p<.05). Marginal means show a 13.51% decrease in turnover in the intervention sites, while control sites saw a 2.85% increase year-over-year. This model explains 21% of variation in turnover rate differences.
These findings suggest that a modest investment in enhanced training for DSP can pay substantial dividends in service continuity and fiscal savings from reduced turnover. Policy considerations suggested by this work will be presented.
Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadershipOther professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Define the current characteristics of the direct support workforce supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Identify basic strategies for strengthening and stabilizing the direct support workforce.
Demonstrate understanding of how social work administrators can manage the direct support workforce to optimize outcomes for people with IDD.
Keyword(s): Disabilities, Organizational Change
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Matthew Bogenschutz is an Assistant Professor at the VCU School of Social Work. His research centers on the policy and service delivery innovations that increase inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their communities. He has particular interest in consumer-directed supports and interventions that enhance the direct support workforce. He teaches policy courses at all levels of the curriculum and is a core faculty with VCU's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.