IDD Leader

Nate Beers
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For IDD Providers: Tired of the revolving door of staff? Join host Nate Beers as he and other industry leaders share loads of actionable advice on how you can retain and grow your DSP workforce. Just because there's a nationwide DSP workforce crisis doesn't mean that your organization has to churn through staff. Listen to innovative solutions to increase your staff retention and give your organization a competitive advantage so that at the end of the day you provide the best quality care for those you serve.More effective supervisors. Stronger workforce. Lower turnover.

  1. 6D AGO

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

    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 staffHow one simple, ongoing question dramatically improved retentionWhy investing more in staff upfront often leads to less overtime, fewer vacancies, and lower costsHow scheduling, feedback loops, and staff voice can quietly reshape cultureWhy your next “tipping point” might be closer than you thinkIf 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 workforceEp. 57-58 - NASDDDS (National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services) & HSRI (Human Services Research Institute) Discussions on policy, funding, and national workforce trendsEp. 47-48 - National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities (NLCDD) Leadership development, systems change, and long-term workforce sustainabilityDo your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    22 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Ep. 64 - The Gift – An Unexpected Leadership Surprise for IDD Leaders

    In this short holiday episode, host Nate Beers shares an unexpected moment at home that turned into a leadership wake-up call — the kind that sneaks up on you, disarms you, and ultimately makes you better. What begins as a normal, chaotic family dinner quickly turns into a powerful reminder about the difference between reacting and responding — not just as parents, but as leaders of teams, programs, and organizations. Nate pulls back the curtain on how even seasoned leaders can slip into stress-driven reactions… and how a simple, honest comment from his 10-year-old became a gift worth passing on. Inside the episode: --The surprising moment that shifted Nate’s whole evening --Why leaders often default to “fix mode” (and how it backfires) --A practical way to notice what’s happening in your body before it leaks into your leadership --How high-performing organizations actually solve problems --Why the way we solve problems can sometimes reinforce them --A simple mental reframe that turns stress into creativity and connection --How this applies directly to workforce challenges and turnover in IDD services --A reflective action step you can use today Whether you’re an Executive Director, Program Manager, HR leader, or frontline supervisor, this episode offers a calming breath, a grounded perspective, and a gentle invitation to lead with more intention — especially when things get messy. Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    20 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    Ep. 63 - The Long Game Behind Sustainable Services w/ RCPA

    What does it really take to build services that last—not just through the next budget cycle, but for the next decade? In this conversation, host Nate Beers sits down with Tim Sohosky from RCPA to talk about the long game in disability services: how change actually happens, why efficiency alone isn’t enough, and what leaders need to pay attention to now if they want their organizations—and their people—to thrive long-term. This is Part 2 of their conversation. They explore: How advocacy moves from frustration to real system changeWhy outcomes matter more than ever (and what we’re measuring wrong)The hidden strain leaders feel when innovation collides with regulationWhat sustainable leadership looks like five to ten years outHow building a bench of future leaders protects everything you’re working towardThis episode isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about perspective, patience, and making decisions today that future leaders—and the people you support—will thank you for. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why leadership isolation is a real challenge in this field 01:03 – Why hearing what other providers face actually matters 02:36 – How RCPA collaborates with other associations 06:34 – How a single provider concern becomes an advocacy priority 09:32 – Why advocacy takes time—and why it still matters 10:23 – The constant tension between efficiency and regulation 14:59 – Why outcomes matter more than incident-free care 20:32 – Innovations that are actually helping providers right now 26:07 – Building future leaders before you need them 32:24 – Looking 5–10 years ahead: risks, opportunities, and the long game 36:34 – Final reflections on leadership and sustainability Learn more about RCPA: 👉 https://www.rcpa.org Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    40 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    Ep. 62 - The Connection Every IDD Leader Needs w/ RCPA

    In today’s episode, podcast host, Nate Beers, sits down with Tim Sohosky, IDD Director at RCPA (Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association), to uncover one of the most overlooked advantages available to leaders in the IDD field: your provider association. If you’ve ever felt like you’re leading in isolation, drowning in vacancies, or constantly reacting to new regulations—you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep going solo. Tim shares insider insights on how high-performing leaders stay ahead of staffing challenges, influence policy before it hits their agencies, and tap into resources that make their jobs easier (and their teams stronger). This is part one of a two-part conversation loaded with practical wisdom and real-world leadership moves you can use immediately. 🔗 Resources Mentioned: RCPA Website: https://www.rcpa.org “7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams” (Free PDF): https://iddleader.com/burnout ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – The surprising truth: some agencies are winning the staffing battle 01:10 – Nate’s “doorstop” story and the theme of overlooked resources 03:09 – If you became CEO today: Tim’s first 3 moves to stabilize staffing 07:22 – Tim’s background from DSP to COO to statewide association leader 11:04 – What provider associations actually do (and why leaders need them) 15:27 – Managed care, performance-based contracting, and how leaders can stay ahead 18:54 – Biggest lessons learned from PA’s rollout—and what leaders in other states should do now 23:37 – Why some organizations thrive while others drown (and the leadership behaviors that set them apart) 30:05 – Game-changing recruitment strategies and the power of authentic communication 34:48 – Why formal DSP recognition matters (and how legislation could reshape the field) 35:55 – Nate’s Action Move: Why leaders must ask for help (and where to start) Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    38 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    Ep. 61 - The 7 quiet danger signs your supervisors are burning out their teams

    Supervisors rarely intend to burn out their teams—but the early warning signs are easy to miss until turnover, drama, and exhaustion take over. In today’s episode, Nate breaks down The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and what agency leaders can do to stop the cycle. These subtle patterns show up long before resignations do—and once you see them, you can’t unsee them. Most importantly: they are fixable with better coaching, clearer expectations, and healthier leadership habits. If your teams feel stretched thin, inconsistent, or stuck in “burn-over,” this episode will help you quickly diagnose what’s happening underneath the surface. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why burnout isn’t an individual weakness 01:08 – Holiday story & how unclear norms fuel staff burnout 08:18 – Danger Sign #1: Staff learn expectations through gossip 10:13 – Danger Sign #2: Supervisors go days without 1:1 connection 12:37 – Danger Sign #3: New staff hardly see their supervisor in the first 72 hours 14:03 – Danger Sign #4: Supervisors say they’re “too busy” to coach 16:27 – Danger Sign #5: Supervisors avoid conflict until it explodes 20:16 – Danger Sign #6: Supervisors celebrate completion, not progress 23:22 – Danger Sign #7: Supervisors assume burnout is personal resilience—not workload or leadership 27:02 – Action moves & free resource: The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Tool Download the free tool: https://iddleader.com/burnout Learn about the Leadership Lab: https://iddleader.com/leadership Referenced Episode Episode 35 – "The 3-Sentence Script for Any Tough Employee Conversation" Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    29 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Ep. 60 - Why DSP Turnover Isn’t “The Cost of Doing Business” w/ NADSP

    If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of high vacancy and high turnover, this episode will feel like oxygen. In Part 2 of my interview with Joe Macbeth and Dan Hermreck of NADSP, we dig into the data, the myths, and the practical steps that are actually helping agencies go from 40% turnover to 10% turnover — with DSP credentialed staff. If you lead an IDD provider agency, this is essential listening. If you care about building a more stable, skilled, and respected DSP workforce… even more so. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Why the industry treats 40% turnover as “normal” 03:07 - The hidden cost of relying on intuition instead of competency 07:22 - What agencies with 10% DSP turnover do differently 11:48 - Why credentialing changes culture — not just résumés 15:09 - What states are finally recognizing about DSP skills 18:41 - The fight for fair DSP classification (and why it matters) 22:14 - How frontline supervisor credentialing could change everything 26:55 - What leaders must challenge if they want real retention Links & Resources Learn more about NADSP’s E-Badge Academy: https://nadsp.org/services/the-nadsp-e-badge-academy/ Get “The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams” Learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    34 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    Ep. 59 - From the Oval Office to the Pope: How NADSP Is Transforming DSP Work

    “Born” in the Oval Office? Yes—NADSP’s origin story is wilder than you think. In this episode, Joe Macbeth and Dan Hermrick from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals join Nate to unpack the surprising beginnings of NADSP, the national movement they’ve sparked, and why DSP credentialing is becoming one of the most effective tools for solving turnover and elevating the profession. We talk about the Pope, policy, real outcomes, and what provider leaders need to know right now to build a more stable, high-quality workforce. SHOW NOTES 00:00 - Intro 02:43 - The Pope story — and what it reveals about DSP competence 08:27 - Introductions: Joe & Dan and NADSP’s mission 10:32 - “Born in the Oval Office”: The surprising founding story 17:16 - What the e-Badge Academy actually is and how it works 27:41 - What changes when DSPs become credentialed 🔗 Helpful Links Learn more about the NADSP E-Badge Academy: https://nadsp.org/services/the-nadsp-e-badge-academy/ Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    34 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Ep. 58 - The New Rules Shaping DSP Pay and Policy w/ NASDDDS and HSRI

    Wages up. Turnover down. Still not enough. In Part 1, we looked at the progress: DSP wages are rising, and turnover is finally trending down. But in this episode, we explore what’s driving the next wave of change—and the new rules that could reshape DSP pay, policy, and funding for years to come. I’m joined again by Laura Vegas (NASDDDS) and Dorothy Hiersteiner (HSRI), who oversee the National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey—the nation’s most comprehensive data set on DSP wages and stability. Together, we dig into the major shifts happening right now at the federal and state levels—and what they mean for provider agencies and state leaders on the ground. In this episode, we cover: • What the new CMS “80% rule” means for DSP wages and rate setting • How states are using workforce data to push for funding and reform • The growing link between training, credentialing, and pay • Why provider participation in data collection is more important than ever • Real examples of states turning data into lasting workforce change Whether you’re a provider leader, a policy director, or anyone who cares about the future of this workforce, this episode helps you connect the dots between policy, funding, and the people who make services possible. Explore the data and organizations mentioned: ➡️ NASDDDS → https://www.nasddds.org/ ➡️ HSRI → https://www.hsri.org/ ➡️ NCI Staff Stability Survey → https://idd.nationalcoreindicators.org/staff-providers/ Show Notes / Timestamps 00:00 – How lawmakers are using NCI workforce data to shape bills 00:56 – Episode setup: why this conversation matters for providers 02:30 – What the new CMS “Access Rule” really means 06:18 – What providers should be tracking now to prepare 06:48 – Linking funding to training, credentialing, and outcomes 10:30 – Statewide training platforms and portability for DSPs 13:33 – How states are using workforce data to drive advocacy 17:21 – What’s keeping state DD leaders up at night 21:44 – Why better pay and career paths could change everything 23:12 – How provider participation in surveys influences federal policy 27:12 – Why small and mid-sized providers need to be represented in data 28:10 – Finding and learning from positive outlier agencies 32:05 – How NCI data sparks innovation across states 32:36 – Where to find the data and connect with NASDDDS and HSRI 34:34 – Closing reflections and next steps Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? I know how it feels... Most supervisors were never trained to lead. Get The 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams and learn how high-retention agencies spot — and fix — these issues fast. https://iddleader.com/burnout

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

For IDD Providers: Tired of the revolving door of staff? Join host Nate Beers as he and other industry leaders share loads of actionable advice on how you can retain and grow your DSP workforce. Just because there's a nationwide DSP workforce crisis doesn't mean that your organization has to churn through staff. Listen to innovative solutions to increase your staff retention and give your organization a competitive advantage so that at the end of the day you provide the best quality care for those you serve.More effective supervisors. Stronger workforce. Lower turnover.

Information

  • Creator
    Nate Beers
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 IDD Leader
  • Show Website
    IDD Leader