Tennessee LTSS Workforce Quality Improvement Survey 2022

Organization Characteristics

4% of services were provided in the Middle region, 93% in the East region, and 3% in the West region. Services were provided in 2,124 service sites, including 52% family or individual homes, 32% agency or facility sites, 10% job sites, and 6% other sites. 4,117 people received services, and 4,287 Caregivers/Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), 326 Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), 249 managers, 476 administrative, and 498 other employees than those previously listed were employed. Service types include 45% ECF CHOICES, 17% Vocational Rehabilitation, 43% DIDD Waiver, and 79% CHOICES (Non-ECF CHOICES).

Caregiver/DSP Employment

Of the 47 organizations who responded to employment types of caregivers/DSPs, 4% were on call or temporary employees, 32% were part-time, and 64% were full-time. 57% of caregivers/DSPs worked across more than one service type.

Caregiver/DSP Vacancy

Of the 39 organizations who responded, the overall vacancy rate for caregivers/DSPs was 17%. 27% of part-time positions and 13% of full-time positions were vacant.

Caregiver/DSP Turnover

Overall, there was 54% annual caregiver/DSP turnover in 39 organizations. Of those who left their positions in 2022, 57% of caregivers/DSPs left within 0-6 months of hire, and 29% within 6-12 months of hire. The top reasons caregivers/DSPs left their positions were as follows: 73% no call/no show, 56% found another job at another company, and 34% pay too low, needed better pay.

Caregiver/DSP Wages

41 organizations reported wage data. The hourly starting caregiver/DSP wage was $13.26, the average caregiver/DSP wage was $14.00, and the highest caregiver/DSP wage was $15.44. 2% of organizations paid caregivers/DSPs different wages across service types.

Caregiver/DSP Benefits

On average, 34% of caregivers/DSPs were enrolled in health care plans. 54% of organizations offered paid time off, 19% offered sick leave, 27% offered paid vacation, and 68% offered health insurance.

Caregiver/DSP Overtime

For the 40 organizations reporting, a total of 751,338 hours of overtime were paid out to caregivers/DSPs in 2022, costing organizations a total of $5,555,127.

FLS Wages

Of the 35 organizations reporting, the average starting frontline supervisor (FLS) annual salary was $36,379. The average FLS annual salary was $38,858. The highest FLS annual salary was $44,283.

FLS Turnover

Overall, there was a 26% FLS turnover rate in 31 organizations reporting. Of those FLSs who left their positions in 2022, 14% of FLSs left within 0-6 months of hire, and 50% left within 6-12 months of hire.

FLS Vacancy

The overall vacancy rate for FLSs in 31 organizations who reported was 18%.