Why Some Providers Finally Win the Turnover Battle - Ep. 65

Turnover in human services can feel endless—but it doesn’t have to be.

In this episode, Nate Beers shares what he learned in 2025 from conversations with providers across the country who are actually winning the turnover battle. These aren’t perfect organizations—and none of them found a magic fix. What they did do was make clear, intentional decisions about their workforce… and stick with them.

You’ll hear real examples of what’s working right now, including:

--What thriving providers do differently when it comes to onboarding and welcoming new staff
--How one simple, ongoing question dramatically improved retention
--Why investing more in staff upfront often leads to less overtime, fewer vacancies, and lower costs
--How scheduling, feedback loops, and staff voice can quietly reshape culture
--Why your next “tipping point” might be closer than you think

If you’re a leader who’s tired of chasing short-term fixes—and wants a workforce that’s healthier, more stable, and proud to work where they work—this episode is for you.

Episodes Referenced in This Episode:

Ep. 24 – How One Provider Transformed Their Onboarding
(Vocational Training Center – Fargo, ND)
Ep. 28 – Staff Empowerment Elevates Retention
(DSP Council from Welcome House)
Ep. 33 – What Happens When You Invest in Your People?
(Core Services)
Ep. 43 – Leveraging AI in Human Services
(Dr. Syard Evans, Arkansas Support Network)
Ep. 44 – Turning Organizational Values Into Daily Actions
(Dr. Syard Evans)
Ep. 49 – From 4 Employees to 100: How This IDD Agency Scaled Without Losing Their Heart
(CARES of Western PA)
Ep. 50 – From Family Startup to IDD Industry Standout
(CARES of Western PA)
Ep. 53 – The Retention Strategy No One Talks About
(Dr. Michael Strouse, Good Life Innovations)
Ep. 54 – How “Professional Neighbors” Are Transforming IDD Care
(Dr. Mike Strouse)
Ep. 55 – One Simple Question Doubled Staff Retention
(CHI Friendship)
Ep. 56 – What Really Keeps Staff in Disability Services
(CHI Friendship)

Related Conversations on Workforce Advocacy

Ep. 59-60 - NADSP (National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals)
Conversations on professional recognition, advocacy, and elevating the DSP workforce

Ep. 57-58 - NASDDDS (National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services) and HSRI (Human Services Research Institute)
Discussions on policy, funding, and national workforce trends

Ep. 47-48 - National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities (NLCDD)
Leadership development, systems change, and long-term workforce sustainability

Free Resource:
Are your frontline supervisors accidentally contributing to burnout and turnover?
Take the free 5-minute assessment at https://iddleader.com/burnout