Tennessee LTSS Workforce Quality Improvement Survey 2022

Organization Characteristics

1% of services were provided in the Middle region, 1% in the East region, and 98% in the West region. Services were provided in 1,397 service sites, including 73% family or individual homes, 16% agency or facility sites, 7% job sites, and 4% other sites. 2,388 people received services, and 2,804 Caregivers/Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), 104 Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), 103 managers, 111 administrative, and 132 other employees than those previously listed were employed. Service types include 38% ECF CHOICES, 6% Vocational Rehabilitation, 28% DIDD Waiver, and 77% CHOICES (Non-ECF CHOICES).

Caregiver/DSP Employment

Of the 50 organizations who responded to employment types of caregivers/DSPs, 2% were on call or temporary employees, 60% were part-time, and 38% were full-time, and 57% of caregivers/DSPs worked across more than one service type.

Caregiver/DSP Vacancy

Of the 44 organizations who responded, overall vacancy rate for caregivers/DSPs was 18%. 25% of part-time positions and 19% of full-time positions were vacant.

Caregiver/DSP Turnover

Overall, there was 79% annual caregiver/DSP turnover in 40 organizations. Of those who left their positions in 2022, 66% 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: 63% no call/no show, 51% found another job at another company, and 34% was terminated/fired.

Caregiver/DSP Wages

44 organizations reported wage data. The hourly starting caregiver/DSP wage was $12.88, the average caregiver/DSP wage was $13.25, and the highest caregiver/DSP wage was $14.14. 6% of organizations paid caregivers/DSPs different wages across service types.

Caregiver/DSP Benefits

On average, 18% of caregivers/DSPs were enrolled in health care plans. 31% of organizations offered paid time off, 6% offered sick leave, 9% offered paid vacation, and 41% offered health insurance.

Caregiver/DSP Overtime

For the 44 organizations reporting, a total of 369,869 hours of overtime were paid out to caregivers/DSPs in 2022, costing organizations a total of $2,512,377.

FLS Wages

Of the 36 organizations reporting, the average starting frontline supervisor (FLS) annual salary was $35,262. The average FLS annual salary was $36,885. The highest FLS annual salary was $42,560.

FLS Turnover

Overall, there was a 29% FLS turnover rate in 29 organizations reporting. Of those FLSs who left their positions in 2022, 35% of FLSs left within 0-6 months of hire, and 58% left within 6-12 months of hire.

FLS Vacancy

The overall vacancy rate for FLSs in 31 organizations who reported was 28%.