Recruiting, Selecting, and Retaining Direct Service Workers to Provide Self-Directed HCBS

1. Listen

2. Read

Telling people how a problem affects you can be more helpful than blaming someone for the problem.

The first step to solving a conflict is to figure out what the problem is!  Identify the problem by describing what you observe, what you feel, and what you think. Speak from your perspective and listen to what others observe, feel, and think using meaningful terms that both you and your DSW understand.

For example, use I-statements such as: “When X happens, I see you do Y and this makes me feel Z. I think it would be better for us to try ABC.” Or “When I need help with X and you do it in Y way, I feel angry and confused because I have told you before that I wanted it done in Z way. I think we need to discuss this more and figure out a way that works for both of us.”