Estimating the Demand for Direct Support Professionals
Estimating the Demand for Direct Support Professionals in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Field
Scott Spreat
International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Research, Vol. 6, No.10; 2022
Abstract
National residential census data from residential programs for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities were examined to estimate the demand for Direct Support Professionals. Publicly available data and basic residential staffing formulae were used. While the number of individuals receiving residential supports and services increased about 28% over 11 years, the demand for Direct Support Professionals increased about 33%. Smaller group homes were noted to increase about 47% in demand for Direct Support Professionals.