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The Direct Support Workforce: An Examination of Direct Support Professionals and Frontline Supervisors During
Sandra L Pettingell1, Julie Bershadsky1, Lynda Lahti Anderson1
1Sandra L. Pettingell, Julie Bershadsky, Lynda Lahti Anderson, Amy Hewitt, John Reagan, and Alicia Zhang, University of Minnesota.
Abstract:
Direct support professionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors (FLSs) have critical roles in home and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Low wages and high levels of responsibility created a long-term crisis in recruitment and retention and are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A national sample of DSPs and FLSs were compared on demographics and work-related circumstances using data from the third Direct Support Workforce COVID-19 Survey. Significant differences were found in demographics, hours worked, wages, wage augmentations, and quality of work-life. Policy recommendations to address the worsening workforce crisis are provided.
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