Bi-annual research report pinpoints direct support professional (DSP) workforce trends and actionable insights for leaders
Relias, the trusted multi-solution workforce enablement platform partner to 12,000 healthcare organizations and 4.5 million caregivers, today announced the release of its 2025 DSP Survey Report. The report finds 78% of DSPs are more likely to stay with their organization if career advancement programs are offered, an increase from 2023, underscoring the importance of professional growth, learning opportunities, and well-being initiatives for satisfaction and retention among DSPs.
Developed with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Relias’ strategic partner and the leading voice in Washington for organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the fourth edition of the report surveyed more than 500 DSPs working in IDD services to provide leaders insight into the needs and priorities of their workforce.
“As someone who started out as a DSP, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when professionals in this role feel supported, equipped, and valued,” said Arlene Bridges, Senior Product Manager for IDD and Applied Behavior Analysis at Relias. “This report highlights the gap between what DSPs need and what organizations provide. By better understanding the unique needs of their teams, especially those supporting individuals with IDD, leaders can use these findings to make targeted improvements that increase job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and improve care quality.”
Key findings from the report reveal:
- DSPs want to grow. The majority (78%) say they are more likely to stay if their organization offers strong career advancement programs, up from 56% in 2023.
- Many can’t see a path forward. Roughly one-third (31%) say their organization offers no career advancement programs at all.
- Mental health support is essential. Most (74%) say access to well-being or mental health programs would make them more likely to stay with their organization, up from 65% in 2023.
- Trust in leadership remains low. Only 34% believe leaders at their organization care about their psychological well-being.
- Open communication is rising in importance. Nearly two-thirds (65%) identify communication as the most important trait in a supervisor, an increase from 50% in 2023.
- Effective onboarding pays off. Over half (61%) of DSPs who feel extremely prepared after onboarding report complete job satisfaction, nearly triple the overall rate.
The findings also reflect shifting workplace expectations. Fewer than 55% of DSPs feel they have a safe way to provide feedback about their supervisor, despite an increasing number of DSPs expressing a desire for meaningful feedback loops and open communication with their supervisors compared to 2023.
While job satisfaction levels remain steady, with 65% of respondents reporting they are somewhat to completely satisfied, many DSPs continue to report feeling underappreciated. Nearly half said they are either neutral or dissatisfied with how their organization shows appreciation.
“Across the country, we’re seeing signs of progress on the longstanding direct support workforce crisis. Nevertheless, community providers continue to face severe staffing shortages and increasing demand for services despite increasingly limited resources,” said Barbara Merrill, Chief Executive Officer for ANCOR. “As pressures on providers grow, so does the need for data and insights that inform action. This report is one way our continued partnership with Relias helps empower leaders to build a resilient and sustainable workforce ready to face today’s most pressing challenges.”
Download the full report at relias.com.
About ANCOR
For more than 50 years, the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ancor.org) has been a leading advocate for the critical role service providers play in enriching the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a national nonprofit trade association, ANCOR represents 2,000+ organizations employing more than a half-million professionals who together serve more than a million individuals with IDD. Our mission is to advance the ability of our members to support people with IDD to fully participate in their communities.
About Relias
Relias provides workforce enablement solutions for 13,000 healthcare organizations and 4.5 million caregivers to drive measurable outcomes. Customers choose Relias to reduce cost and risk, increase retention, and improve patient experience and care through the Relias Platform of connected solutions, which includes Learning, Performance, Compliance, Quality, and Recruiting. The Relias family of brands — Nurse.com, Wound Care Education Institute, Relias Academy, FreeCME, and Clinician.com — serves the entire healthcare continuum and shares a common mission of improving the lives of the most vulnerable members of society and those who care for them.
