Researching Provider Solutions in Florida

The widespread shortage of direct care service providers adversely affects people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The inability to access direct care supports can compromise the health and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilties.

Mathematica conducted the Researching Provider Solutions project for the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council to identify ideas and strategies for recruiting and retaining paid direct care support. Mathematica used multiple work streams—an environmental scan, a web-based survey, interviews, and a work group—to understand the direct care experiences of Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

The findings in the final report include several recommendations for the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, state agencies, policymakers and residents, the intellectual and developmental disabilities community, and other interested groups that might work in tandem to improve access to direct care support.