Direct Support Workforce

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A direct support professional sits with a man in a wheelchair in a diner.

This page is dedicated to bringing forward best practices, evidence-based strategies, tools and resources for those seeking employment or already employed in the direct support workforce, such as direct support professionals and frontline supervisors, as well as employers looking to recruit, select, train and retain the direct support workforce.

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New direct support workforce data and insights reports!

SupportWise Workforce Data Summary and Implications for Reporting Period July 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024, reports are now available in English and Spanish.

View the latest data

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Direct Support Professional

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This page is dedicated to bringing forward best practices, evidence-based strategies, tools and resources for those seeking employment as DSPs and for those employed as DSPs who wish to improve the services and supports they provide. 

 

See resources for direct support professionals

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Frontline Supervisor

A woman writes in a log book on a desk.

This page is dedicated to providing information and resources to those employed as frontline supervisors in the intellectual and developmental disabilities services field. You will find information to assist you in your role as a frontline supervisor, including information regarding the supervision of direct support professionals. 

 

See resources for frontline supervisors

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Employer

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This page is dedicated to helping all employers, including agency providers and those who use self-directed supports, recruit, select, train and retain the direct support workforce.

See resources for employers

About

This page was created to showcase the work of the Rhode Island Statewide Workforce Initiative (RISWI), a collaborative partnership between Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities / Rhode Island College, Community Provider Network of Rhode Island (CPNRI), Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH), Direct Support Workforce Solutions at the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, as well as employers, those with lived experience, their families and direct support professionals (DSPs) who have the common goal of strengthening the workforce that provides support to people with disabilities to live the lives they choose. 

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