Crisis of Care by the Numbers
Turnover
the number of trained Direct Support Professionals who leave the industry each year.
People Effected
100%
1 in 5 Positions Unfilled
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Commentary:
Turnover rates are incredibly high in this industry due to difficulty of the job coupled with lower than market rates.The turnover rate decreased when wages were raised using the ARPA funding but the ARPA funding has run out, leaving Providers in a precarious position, and the hiring crisis and wage inflation occurred mitigating the full impact of that increase.
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Raise starting wage to $18 an hour. Nevada Legislature needs to increase funding to a level that allows providers to raise starting wages.
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Backfill the 26.9% rate enhancement from ARPA funding that expired December 2022.
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Commentary:
19% of all Direct Support Professional positions for people with intellectual disabilities were vacant across the state in 2022. This is not a sustainable level. Without ongoing rate support, providers will continue to lose their good employees to burnout and to other higher paying industries.
Commentary:
The data clearly shows that when direct care wages increase, turnover decreases. This leads to more stability and better outcomes for people with disabilities.
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Most industries consider 30% turnover to be very high. Turnover of 100%+ is terrible for people with disabilities. With temporary ARPA funding now expired, wages will not be able to keep up with inflation and disability providers will fall even further behind in its ability to recruit and retain care givers. Turnover will almost certainly worsen and individuals with disabilities will be left with fewer caregivers and less support.
The state of Nevada's waiting lists will continue to grow as providers are unable to recruit employees to support the individuals. Highest needs individuals are likely the first to be put back on the waiting list as they require the most care and often create the highest turnover. Providers would love to support more people but can't focus on helping new people when they are struggling to hold things together for the current people. Wage increases are desperately needed to stabilize support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
