IDD Leader

How does Melmark achieve only 11% annual turnover in a field where many providers face 40–60%? In this episode, host Nate Beers continues his conversation with Helena Maguire, digging into Melmark’s extended, behaviorally grounded onboarding model—one that prioritizes confidence before coverage. This is practical, field-tested onboarding that actually works: slower, more deliberate, and transforma...

Turnover doesn’t start with direct support professionals—it starts with supervision. In this episode, host Nate Beers sits down with Helena McGuire from Melmark to unpack why supervisors are the single biggest lever for retention—and how Melmark has intentionally built systems that help supervisors succeed instead of burn out. Rather than relying on motivation or charisma, Melmark invests in behav...

Turnover in human services can feel endless—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Nate Beers shares what he learned in 2025 from conversations with providers across the country who are actually winning the turnover battle . These aren’t perfect organizations—and none of them found a magic fix. What they did do was make clear, intentional decisions about their workforce… and stick with them....

In this short holiday episode, host Nate Beers shares an unexpected moment at home that turned into a leadership wake-up call — the kind that sneaks up on you, disarms you, and ultimately makes you better. What begins as a normal, chaotic family dinner quickly turns into a powerful reminder about the difference between reacting and responding — not just as parents, but as leaders of teams, program...

What does it really take to build services that last—not just through the next budget cycle, but for the next decade? In this conversation, host Nate Beers sits down with Tim Sohosky from RCPA to talk about the long game in disability services: how change actually happens, why efficiency alone isn’t enough, and what leaders need to pay attention to now if they want their organizations—and their pe...

In today’s episode, podcast host, Nate Beers, sits down with Tim Sohosky , IDD Director at RCPA (Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association) , to uncover one of the most overlooked advantages available to leaders in the IDD field: your provider association . If you’ve ever felt like you’re leading in isolation, drowning in vacancies, or constantly reacting to new regulations—you’re not alo...

Supervisors rarely intend to burn out their teams—but the early warning signs are easy to miss until turnover, drama, and exhaustion take over. In today’s episode, Nate breaks down The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and what agency leaders can do to stop the cycle. These subtle patterns show up long before resignations do—and once you see them, you can’t unsee th...

If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of high vacancy and high turnover, this episode will feel like oxygen. In Part 2 of my interview with Joe Macbeth and Dan Hermreck of NADSP, we dig into the data, the myths, and the practical steps that are actually helping agencies go from 40% turnover to 10% turnover — with DSP credentialed staff. If you lead an IDD provider agency, this is essential list...

“Born” in the Oval Office? Yes—NADSP’s origin story is wilder than you think. In this episode, Joe Macbeth and Dan Hermrick from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals join Nate to unpack the surprising beginnings of NADSP, the national movement they’ve sparked, and why DSP credentialing is becoming one of the most effective tools for solving turnover and elevating the profession....

Wages up. Turnover down. Still not enough. In Part 1, we looked at the progress: DSP wages are rising, and turnover is finally trending down. But in this episode, we explore what’s driving the next wave of change—and the new rules that could reshape DSP pay, policy, and funding for years to come. I’m joined again by Laura Vegas (NASDDDS) and Dorothy Hiersteiner (HSRI), who oversee the National Cor...

Are DSP wages finally improving—or are we still far from solving the workforce crisis?  In this episode,  Laura Vegas (NASDDDS) and Dorothy Hiersteiner (HSRI)  unpack what the National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey reveals about turnover, tenure, and wages across the country—and what that means for your organization.  Explore more: NASDDDS → nasddds.org NCI Staff Stability Survey →...

What really keeps people in disability services?  In this episode, the leadership team from CHI Friendship shares how they’ve reimagined staff retention—not through higher pay or perks, but through purpose, inclusion, and genuine connection.  They talk about the culture shifts that made the biggest difference: listening to staff, inviting people supported into the process, and leading with consist...

  What if one simple question could change your entire organization?  In this episode, leaders from CHI Friendship in North Dakota share how they saw dramatic improvements in staff retention—simply by asking one question over and over again. Through real stories of appreciation, mentorship, and leadership, you’ll hear how this one shift sparked a ripple effect across every level of the organizatio...

 What if your agency could deliver care as a neighborhood instead of one home at a time?  In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse of GoodLife Innovations shares how “Professional Neighbors” and shared living models are redefining community supports for people with IDD. The result? Lower turnover, stronger relationships, and a future where care is an amenity of the neighborhood itself.  You’ll hear how G...

Most providers think high turnover and staff vacancies are just part of the job. But what if there’s a proven way to predictably build a stable workforce? In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse (CEO of GoodLife Innovations and founder of GoodLifeU) reveals the retention strategy no one talks about — one that’s transforming provider agencies across the country. You’ll learn why traditional turnover advi...

Think your turnover isn’t that bad? You might be missing the blind spots that are costing your agency thousands. In this episode, Kris Foss and Chet Tschetter from UMN’s Direct Support Workforce Solutions share stories of agencies that turned the corner—from defensive to proactive, from crisis to culture change. You’ll hear about common leadership blind spots, the power of digging into workforce d...

 Is your agency stuck in the cycle of high turnover, vacancies, and constant shift coverage ? In this episode, Kris Foss and Chet Tschetter from UMN’s Direct Support Workforce Solutions share practical steps any human services leader can take to break free.  From asking and listening, to using data to identify hot spots and bright spots, to building a leadership pipeline, onboarding, mentorship, a...

CARES of Western PA has grown from a small family startup into an industry standout. Yet they’ve kept their family feel at every step.  In this episode, Mindy Bowen and Kate Smith share how they stay lean at the top, respond quickly to staff feedback, and keep quality of care as the non-negotiable center of everything.  We also dive into how CARES is pushing the boundaries of community participati...

In this episode,  you'll hear from Mindy Bowen, Co-Owner, and Kate Smith, Assistant Director of CARES of Western PA, to unpack their incredible growth journey—going from just 4 employees to nearly 100 in a decade. We talk about: -How they built “the CARES way” and a family-friendly culture -Why investing in staff (and making it fun!) pays off -How listening to feedback shapes their success -T...

What blind spots keep leaders from building thriving teams? In this insightful follow-up conversation with Dr. Caitlin Bailey and Kristen Loomis Greenidge, co-directors of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, we explore the hidden assumptions that quietly undermine leaders. You’ll hear how blind spots can stall growth, hurt outcomes, and drive turnover—and more importa...

What makes a leader truly grow? In this powerful conversation with Dr. Caitlin Bailey and Kristen Loomis Greenidge, co-directors of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities, we explore the aha moments that transform leaders—sometimes bringing them to tears.  You’ll hear why DSPs don’t leave because of the people they serve, but often because of their boss or coworkers, and...

What does it take to lead in Autism and IDD services without burning out—or burning bridges? Dr. Peter Gerhardt shares surprising lessons on adapting your leadership style, keeping your team motivated, and making the work deeply meaningful for those you serve. Learn more: https://www.makeitmeaningful.info/home Send us Fan Mail Quick Question: Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally...

In the field of human services, the needs are vast and the mission is clear. But when leaders are pulled in a thousand different directions, it's easy to feel stressed by the competing demands on every side. In this episode, Dr. Peter Gerhardt breaks through the complexity with simple yet profound words of wisdom from his renowned career in leadership. Enjoy this masterclass on leadership in...

It’s one thing to have values on the wall—it’s another to see them come to life in day-to-day decisions, especially on the frontlines. In this episode, Dr. Syard Evans returns to share how her team at Arkansas Support Network builds real values alignment across the organization—not through posters, but through clarity, consistency, and trust. She gives a peak behind the curtain and it's still...

How can AI help your organization provide values-based, person-centered care? And what are the risks and benefits? In this episode, Dr. Syard Evans shares what is already happening at her organization—how they have developed an AI tool that moves them even further toward their innovative approach to providing care. And she gives examples of how other human services providers can do the same.  Lear...