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 Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey—the nation’s most comprehensive data set on DSP wages and stability. Together, we dig into the major shifts happening right now at the federal and state levels—and what they mean for provider agencies and state leaders on the ground.
In this episode, we cover:
• What the new CMS “80% rule” means for DSP wages and rate setting
• How states are using workforce data to push for funding and reform
• The growing link between training, credentialing, and pay
• Why provider participation in data collection is more important than ever
• Real examples of states turning data into lasting workforce change
Whether you’re a provider leader, a policy director, or anyone who cares about the future of this workforce, this episode helps you connect the dots between policy, funding, and the people who make services possible.
Explore the data and organizations mentioned:
➡️ NASDDDS → https://www.nasddds.org/
➡️ HSRI → https://www.hsri.org/
➡️ NCI Staff Stability Survey → https://idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/staff-providers/
Show Notes / Timestamps
00:00 – How lawmakers are using NCI workforce data to shape bills
00:56 – Episode setup: why this conversation matters for providers
02:30 – What the new CMS “Access Rule” really means
06:18 – What providers should be tracking now to prepare
06:48 – Linking funding to training, credentialing, and outcomes
10:30 – Statewide training platforms and portability for DSPs
13:33 – How states are using workforce data to drive advocacy
17:21 – What’s keeping state DD leaders up at night
21:44 – Why better pay and career paths could change everything
23:12 – How provider participation in surveys influences federal policy
27:12 – Why small and mid-sized providers need to be represented in data
28:10 – Finding and learning from positive outlier agencies
32:05 – How NCI data sparks innovation across states
32:36 – Where to find the data and connect with NASDDDS and HSRI
34:34 – Closing reflections and next steps
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