Longitudinal study of recruitment and retention in small community homes supporting persons with developmental disabilities

Variables associated with turnover in 110 small Minnesota group homes supporting people with developmental disabilities between December 1993 and December 1996 were examined. Common staffing problems included recruiting qualified workers (reported by 57% of supervisors) and staff turnover (44%). Turnover for direct support professionals was 46%. Of workers who left, 45% left within 6 months of hire, and another 23%, between 6 and 12 months. A multiple regression analysis (with 11 variables) accounted for 34% of the variability in facility turnover rates. Variables contributing significantly to the prediction of higher turnover included greater support needs of residents, lower starting pay, less tenured supervisors, and fewer direct support professionals eligible for paid leave. Implications for practice, research, and policy were discussed.