News

• Released: 2014 Staff Stability Survey Report

  Nov 13th, 2015

  As states work to expand their home and community based long term care service systems, increasing attention has been paid to the role that Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play in the provision of supports for individuals with ID/DD. Unfortunately, this workforce experiences high rates of instability including high turnover and vacancy rates. The quality of life of individuals with ID/DD in the service system is inextricably linked to the quality and stability of those who are paid to support them. Although some states have taken strides to address the instability of the DSP workforce, there is a lack of reliable, comprehensive data to aid in these efforts. This information is critical to the design and evaluation of appropriate, effective and targeted policies and programs.

  NCI has long served to provide policy-makers, advocates and self-advocates with valid and reliable data that can serve to improve the quality of services and supports. The National Core Indicators Staff Stability Survey was designed to assist states in collecting accurate and comprehensive data on the DSP workforce. The survey collects information on DSP workforce staffing levels, stability, wages, hours, benefit packages and recruitment and retention strategies. Data from the first year of this survey examine the DSP workforce stability in 10 states for the year 2014. 

  The 2014 Staff Stability Survey Report can be found here: http://www.nationalcoreindicators.org/upload/core-indicators/2014_Staff_Stability_Report_11_13_15.pdf 

  Some findings from the first year of data collection:

  Of the DSPs who left employment at responding agencies between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014, 37% had been employed for less than 6 months. This number varied vastly by state.
  Across the responding agencies, the turnover rate for DSPs was 45%
  Of responding agencies that differentiate between full- and part-time employees, there was a 7% vacancy rate for full-time positions and 13% vacancy rate for part-time positions. 
  Across participating states, DSPs received an average hourly wage of $11.11.

  $10.55 for DSPs providing residential supports
  $10.93 for DSPs providing in-home supports
  $11.10 for DSPs providing non-residential supports

  This information will help policymakers and advocates by providing data useful for policy and program development. In addition, these data will help states monitor and evaluate the impact of workforce initiatives, compare state workforce outcomes with those of other states, provide a context for consumer and family outcomes and build systems to more effectively collect, analyze, and use DSP workforce data. 

  Please contact Dorothy at dhiersteiner@hsri.org with questions

• NEW RELEASE: 2015-16 NCI Performance Indicators: Evidence for HCBS Requirements and Revised HCBS Assurances

  Nov 8th, 2015

  We are happy to release 'NCI Performance Indicators: Evidence for HCBS Requirements and Revised HCBS Assurances." This resource has been revised to reflect changes that were made to the NCI Surveys for the 2015-16 Survey Cycle. This document is designed to assist states in understanding how state-level National Core Indicators data can be used in assessing evidence for HCBS requirements and assurances. 
   
  From the guide:
  "CMS quality management expectations for the operation of HCBS continue to evolve.  CMS issued HCBS requirements that went into effect in March 2014; these included requirements for HCBS settings and person-centered service planning. In addition, CMS revised the HCBS Quality Assurances and Sub-Assurances, which also became operative in March 2014. This updated version of the  NCI Performance Indicators: Evidence for the New HCBS Requirements and Revised HCBS Assurances includes new NCI survey questions (added for the 2015-16 Survey Cycle) that align with the CMS changes as well as the addition of NCI survey question numbers and question text. The tool is best used for assessing compliance at a systems level."
   
  "NCI Performance Indicators: Evidence for HCBS Requirements and Revised HCBS Assurances" is also available on the NCI website at http://www.nationalcoreindicators.org/resources/technical-reports/ under 'Implementation Guides'.

• A Message From Valerie Bradley, HSRI President

  Oct 29th, 2015

  Announcement from Valerie Bradley, President of the Human Services Research Institute:

  Dear Friends of HSRI:

  About two years ago, as I moved into my 70th year, I began to think about my own future and the future of HSRI and the careful steps that would be necessary to allow me to gradually shift out of the organization’s leadership role. Given how much I care about HSRI and our work, I wanted to make sure that any transition process unfolded in an intentional and thoughtful way that maximized continuity. I enlisted the help of an independent consulting firm that assists nonprofits through the transition process. The consultants led us through a very deliberate progression with participation by both the Board and staff. Organizational transitions are not linear and have implications beyond changes in leadership. The process, therefore, resulted in enhancements of policies and procedures as well as Board reforms. It culminated in Board approval of the promotion of David Hughes, PhD, to Executive Vice President, effective immediately, and agreement that he should become President of HSRI in January 2017 – the year that HSRI moves into its 5th decade!

  The Board and I are confident that David will be the next leader that HSRI needs. He has been central to the organization’s evolution over the past 20 years and is passionate about its vision and purpose. I know that HSRI will be in the best possible hands.

  When I co-founded HSRI nearly 40 years ago with John Ashbaugh, the landscape of services to people with disabilities looked very different than it does today. From a system dominated by large, remote, congregate facilities, we have seen the continual development of services and supports in the community and an increasing emphasis on person centered and directed approaches. We’ve also seen the growth of organized advocacy groups made up of people with disabilities as well as the growth of family movements. During these four decades, HSRI – through a combination of research, technical assistance, and advocacy – has made significant contributions to these changes and continues to work to improve the lives of people with disabilities going forward. I have no intention of leaving the field after January 2017, but will stay on at HSRI as a President Emeritus/Senior Advisor. This work has been enormously important to me and I will continue to be involved wherever I can contribute.

  Please congratulate David and celebrate the continuation of HSRI’s mission and leadership.

  With thanks to all my friends and colleagues,

  Valerie J. Bradley, President
  Human Services Research Institute