IDD Leader

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 people—to thrive long-term. ...

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 alone. And you don’t have to keep going so...

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 them. Most importantly: they...

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 listening.
If you...

“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.

We talk about the Pope...

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 Stat...

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 → idd.nationalcoreindicato...

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 consistent positivity. The result? A stronge...

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 organization. From retirement celebrations that r...

 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 GoodLife’s Neighborhood Network and li...

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 advice misses the mark, and ho...

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 data, how to build buy-in a...

 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, and realistic job previews—they lay ou...

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 participation—getting their VIPs into volunteer ...

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
-The le...

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 importantly, how leaders can buil...

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 how leadership development...

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

Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it f...

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 the field of autism and de...