The 2024 report by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) highlights a severe crisis in the Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce, essential for assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Chronic underfunding and stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates have led to significant staffing shortages, adversely affecting service delivery. Key findings from the survey of 496 providers across 47 states and the District of Columbia include:
- 90% of providers faced moderate to severe staffing challenges in the past year.
- 69% had to turn away new referrals due to insufficient staff.
- 39% discontinued certain programs or services.
- 64% delayed the launch of new programs.
- 34% considered further program cuts if recruitment and retention issues persist.
- 45% reported an increase in reportable incidents.
- 57% of case managers struggled to connect individuals with necessary services.
- 57% operated in areas with few or no alternative service options.
The most frequently eliminated services due to staffing challenges were residential habilitation (37%), home-based and day habilitation (29%), and employment support services (28%). The report emphasizes that without substantial federal and state investment in the Medicaid home- and community-based services system, the quality and availability of support for individuals with I/DD will continue to decline.
