Tennessee LTSS Workforce Quality Improvement Survey 2022

Organization Characteristics

35% of services were provided in the Middle region, 30% in the East region, and 35% in the West region. Services were provided in 6,730 service sites, including 65% family or individual homes, 24% agency or facility sites, 6% job sites, and 5% other sites. 10,761 people received services, and 11,311 Caregivers/Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), 640 Frontline Supervisors (FLSs), 475 managers, 985 administrative, and 1,048 other employees than those previously listed were employed. Service types include 47% ECF CHOICES, 12% Vocational Rehabilitation, 39% DIDD Waiver, and 78% CHOICES (Non-ECF CHOICES).

Caregiver/DSP Employment

Of the 151 organizations who responded to employment types of caregivers/DSPs, 3% were on call or temporary employees, 43% were part-time, and 54% were full-time. 55% of caregivers/DSPs worked across more than one service type.

Caregiver/DSP Vacancy

Of the 134 organizations who responded, overall vacancy rate for caregivers/DSPs was 17%. 26% of part-time positions and 16% of full-time positions were vacant.

Caregiver/DSP Turnover

Overall, there was 61% annual caregiver/DSP turnover in 132 organizations. Of those who left their positions in 2022, 61% of caregivers/DSPs left within 0-6 months of hire, and 28% within 6-12 months of hire. The top reasons caregivers/DSPs left their positions were as follows: 66% no call/no show, 54% found another job at another company, and 38% pay too low, needed better pay.

Caregiver/DSP Wages

136 organizations reported wage data. The hourly starting caregiver/DSP wage was $13.21, the average caregiver/DSP wage was $13.69, and the highest caregiver/DSP wage was $14.95. 11% of organizations paid caregivers/DSPs different wages across service types.

Caregiver/DSP Benefits

On average, 27% of caregivers/DSPs were enrolled in health care plans. For all caregivers/DSPs, 40% of organizations offered paid time off, 11% offered sick leave, 18% offered paid vacation, and 55% offered health insurance.

Caregiver/DSP Overtime

For the 129 organizations reporting, a total of 2,399,338 hours of overtime were paid out to caregivers/DSPs in 2022, costing organizations a total of $17,100,135.

FLS Wages

Of the 117 organizations reporting, the average starting frontline supervisor (FLS) annual salary was $37,177. The average FLS annual salary was $39,469. The highest FLS annual salary was $44,797.

FLS Turnover

Overall, there was a 30% FLS turnover rate in 96 organizations reporting. Of those FLSs who left their positions in 2022, 35% of FLSs left within 0-6 months of hire, and 46% left within 6-12 months of hire.

FLS Vacancy

The overall vacancy rate for FLSs in 99 organizations who reported was 22%.