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Direct support professionals (DSPs) compassionately and collaboratively meet the needs of the people they support daily. However, retention and burnout are real concerns. How do we better meet the needs of the DSP workforce? How do we protect psychological safety? Where do we even begin? The Guild for Human Services wanted to explore these questions with its DSP staff members. To do so, they partnered with Relias to replicate Relias’ 2023 DSP Survey. Organizational leaders attending this session will learn about the survey methodology, strengths and opportunities identified, lessons learned, and the value of obtaining feedback to catalyze the development of their own organizational DSP survey.

Members of the Guild’s leadership team and the Relias research team will share their knowledge and experiences executing a survey to the DSP workforce.

In partnership with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), we surveyed over 700 DSPs across the United States to learn:

What DSPs think leaders can do to engage and retain them
How satisfied DSPs are at their organizations and in their roles
Which supervisor attributes DSPs like and don't like
How comfortable DSPs feel about talking to their supervisors about work stressors
The types of recognition DSPs want to receive from their supervisors and organizations

The 2023 DSP Survey Report gives a deeper understanding of how good supervision, career advancement opportunities, and showing appreciation can help retain your best DSPs and improve job satisfaction.

Headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts, The Guild for Human Services serves more than 160 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities annually through educational, residential, and clinical programming. Offering flexibility within structure, The Guild for Human Services promotes the development of academic, social, vocational, and independent living skills through a private, 365-day, special education school serving up to 90 students; 9 group homes for 72 youth; as well as 15 residential homes for 75 adults diagnosed with intellectual disability, autism, and other developmental challenges.

For over 11,000 healthcare and human service organizations around the world, Relias continues to help clients deliver better clinical and financial outcomes by elevating the performance of teams. We help organizations across the continuum of care get better at maintaining compliance, developing staff, and promoting consistent, high-quality care.

Our online platform employs assessments to reveal specific gaps in skills. It addresses them with targeted, personalized, and engaging learning – choosing from over 7,000 online courses that are vetted to meet the accrediting board, state, and federal requirements. Let us help you get better

Since 2012, Relias and ANCOR have proudly partnered together, culminating with Relias becoming ANCOR’s first-ever Diamond Partner. Relias and ANCOR bring together a mutual dedication to improving hiring, training, and staff retention for organizations that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

180+ ANCOR members use Relias across 34 U.S. states
7 Years running — Relias is a proud sponsor of the DSP of the YEAR Awards
250+ accredited courses designed specifically for professionals devoted to providing specialized care and quality services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Arlene Bridges

Elise Valdes

Suzanne Henderson, MPA

Michael Clontz, LICSW

About The Guild for Human Services

About Relias

Relias/ANCOR partnership