Increasing the Supply of Direct Support Professionals through Targeted Immigration
Michael Clark , Maya Taylor-Cook , Kristen Farry, Tine Hansen-Turton, Scott Spreat
International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Research, Vol. 7, No.02; 2023
Abstract
Agencies that provide supports and services to people who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are unable to hire sufficient number of adequately trained staff. Vacancy rates for those positions that provide direct support and services to people who have disabilities approach 20%. Insufficient compensation was noted as a primary cause of the workforce crisis, and the history of funding social does not suggest that increased funding is imminent. The crisis will continue without either a significant increase in the supply of workers or a decreased demand for workers. Targeted immigration strategies are proposed as a shortterm solution to increasing the supply of Direct Support Professionals currently existing in the intellectual disability field.