Are DSP wages finally improving—or are we still far from solving the workforce crisis? In this episode, Laura Vegas (NASDDDS) and Dorothy Hiersteiner (HSRI) unpack what the National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey reveals about turnover, tenure, and wages across the country—and what that means for your organization. Explore more: NASDDDS → nasddds.org NCI Staff Stability Survey → idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/staff-providers Ready to level up your ...

What really keeps people in disability services? In this episode, the leadership team from CHI Friendship shares how they’ve reimagined staff retention—not through higher pay or perks, but through purpose, inclusion, and genuine connection. They talk about the culture shifts that made the biggest difference: listening to staff, inviting people supported into the process, and leading with consistent positivity. The result? A stronger, more stable workforce—and a culture people actu...

What if one simple question could change your entire organization? In this episode, leaders from CHI Friendship in North Dakota share how they saw dramatic improvements in staff retention—simply by asking one question over and over again. Through real stories of appreciation, mentorship, and leadership, you’ll hear how this one shift sparked a ripple effect across every level of the organization. From retirement celebrations that reignited purpose, to 40-year milestones, to empow...

What if your agency could deliver care as a neighborhood instead of one home at a time? In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse of GoodLife Innovations shares how “Professional Neighbors” and shared living models are redefining community supports for people with IDD. The result? Lower turnover, stronger relationships, and a future where care is an amenity of the neighborhood itself. You’ll hear how GoodLife’s Neighborhood Network and live-by, live-near, live-with strategies are pr...

Most providers think high turnover and staff vacancies are just part of the job. But what if there’s a proven way to predictably build a stable workforce? In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse (CEO of GoodLife Innovations and founder of GoodLifeU) reveals the retention strategy no one talks about — one that’s transforming provider agencies across the country. You’ll learn why traditional turnover advice misses the mark, and how one system has helped agencies achieve low turnover, low vacancies, ...

Think your turnover isn’t that bad? You might be missing the blind spots that are costing your agency thousands. In this episode, Kris Foss and Chet Tschetter from UMN’s Direct Support Workforce Solutions share stories of agencies that turned the corner—from defensive to proactive, from crisis to culture change. You’ll hear about common leadership blind spots, the power of digging into workforce data, how to build buy-in across your organization, and why tech and the next generation of leade...

Is your agency stuck in the cycle of high turnover, vacancies, and constant shift coverage? In this episode, Kris Foss and Chet Tschetter from UMN’s Direct Support Workforce Solutions share practical steps any human services leader can take to break free. From asking and listening, to using data to identify hot spots and bright spots, to building a leadership pipeline, onboarding, mentorship, and realistic job previews—they lay out a clear path from struggling to thriving. Y...

CARES of Western PA has grown from a small family startup into an industry standout. Yet they’ve kept their family feel at every step. In this episode, Mindy Bowen and Kate Smith share how they stay lean at the top, respond quickly to staff feedback, and keep quality of care as the non-negotiable center of everything. We also dive into how CARES is pushing the boundaries of community participation—getting their VIPs into volunteer roles, meaningful activities, and experiences that...

In this episode, you'll hear from Mindy Bowen, Co-Owner, and Kate Smith, Assistant Director of CARES of Western PA, to unpack their incredible growth journey—going from just 4 employees to nearly 100 in a decade. We talk about: -How they built “the CARES way” and a family-friendly culture -Why investing in staff (and making it fun!) pays off -How listening to feedback shapes their success -The leadership pipeline that keeps their team strong If you’re leading IDD services and wonderi...

What blind spots keep leaders from building thriving teams? In this insightful follow-up conversation with Dr. Caitlin Bailey and Kristen Loomis Greenidge, co-directors of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, we explore the hidden assumptions that quietly undermine leaders. You’ll hear how blind spots can stall growth, hurt outcomes, and drive turnover—and more importantly, how leaders can build authentic practices that engage staff, strengthen culture, and prepa...

What makes a leader truly grow? In this powerful conversation with Dr. Caitlin Bailey and Kristen Loomis Greenidge, co-directors of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, we explore the aha moments that transform leaders—sometimes bringing them to tears. You’ll hear why DSPs don’t leave because of the people they serve, but often because of their boss or coworkers, and how leadership development can develops trust, engagement, and retention. More info: https...

What does it take to lead in Autism and IDD services without burning out—or burning bridges? Dr. Peter Gerhardt shares surprising lessons on adapting your leadership style, keeping your team motivated, and making the work deeply meaningful for those you serve. Learn more: https://www.makeitmeaningful.info/home Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Turnover Fix Playbook: 4 Simple Supervisor Habits that Reduce DSP Turnover Fast. Get your free copy at...

In the field of human services, the needs are vast and the mission is clear. But when leaders are pulled in a thousand different directions, it's easy to feel stressed by the competing demands on every side. In this episode, Dr. Peter Gerhardt breaks through the complexity with simple yet profound words of wisdom from his renowned career in leadership. Enjoy this masterclass on leadership in the field of autism and developmental disabilities. Learn more: https://www.makeitmeaningful.info/ho...

It’s one thing to have values on the wall—it’s another to see them come to life in day-to-day decisions, especially on the frontlines. In this episode, Dr. Syard Evans returns to share how her team at Arkansas Support Network builds real values alignment across the organization—not through posters, but through clarity, consistency, and trust. She gives a peak behind the curtain and it's still a work in progress--but they are seeing moments of transformation. Not just for those they serve, but...

How can AI help your organization provide values-based, person-centered care? And what are the risks and benefits? In this episode, Dr. Syard Evans shares what is already happening at her organization—how they have developed an AI tool that moves them even further toward their innovative approach to providing care. And she gives examples of how other human services providers can do the same. Learn more about AI at Arkansas Support Network: https://supports.org; sevans@supports.org Ready...

Is this a "good idea" or something that will actually move the needle when it comes to reducing staff turnover? This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Dennis Reid, and in it he unpacks practical steps to take at your organization to most effectively decide how to address staff turnover. We all know that staff retention is a complex issue and it can be tough to know "What's the best initiative we can launch right now?" If you've been asking that question, don't miss this episode. Lea...

In Part 1 of this powerful interview, Dr. Dennis Reid—renowned author of The Supervisor’s Guidebook—shares how to train supervisors effectively, what to do if a supervisor is struggling, and how to start developing future leaders from your DSP team. If you want to improve staff performance, reduce drama, and build stronger supervisors, this episode is packed with practical gold. 🎧 Watch to discover: --Why real-world observation and feedback matter more than training checklists --How to spo...

The problem isn't the people. It's the process. Fix your recruiting process and your vacancies will drop. This episode offers 12 simple changes that make a huge difference in improving your hiring funnel. And if you want a blank Hiring Funnel Worksheet to help you in that process, get yours at iddleader.com/funnel. Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Turnover Fix Playbook: 4 Simple Supervisor Habits that Reduce DSP Turnover Fast. Get you...

If you're at all involved in the hiring process of Direct Support Professionals (or you oversee the people who do), then this episode is for you! Drop your agency's job vacancy rate and stop burning through overtime costs. Leverage the power of behavior science to stop getting ghosted on interviews, to keep your best candidates engaged, and to stop the "Swiss cheese effect" that too many vacancies create. Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Tu...

Tired of the revolving door of staff? Consider these three secrets to increase your staff retention--and the quality of services you provide. Ready to level up your team's leadership? I've got a free playbook for you: The Turnover Fix Playbook: 4 Simple Supervisor Habits that Reduce DSP Turnover Fast. Get your free copy at www.iddleader.com/supervisor