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Tags Posts tagged with "National Core Indicator"

National Core Indicator

Message from National Core Indicators:

The NCI-IDD SoTW is the most comprehensive data on Direct Support Professional (DSP) workforce providing direct services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We remain committed to partnering with states, agencies, and people with IDD to use these data to strengthen Medicaid-funded services and supports and ensure DSPs are valued for their essential role supporting people with IDD.

A few report highlights:

In 2024, we collected data from 3,936 provider agencies representing 344,179 DSPs in 26 states and the District of Columbia. The data for 2024 suggest some positive trends for the state of the IDD DSP workforce. For example:

  • Across the nation, the median hourly wage for DSPs is $18.39, which is more than a dollar increase from the median hourly wage of $17.20 in 2023.
  • The weighted average turnover ratio was 37%, with nearly two in three DSPs who left their employers (64%) having been with their agency for less than one year.
  • On average, 26% of agencies report they turned away or stopped accepting referrals due to staffing issues, down from 38% in 2023.

State DD agencies have worked tirelessly to address the ongoing workforce shortages for DSPs, and these data suggest slight but hopeful trends in key indicators. Altogether, NCI-IDD SoTW provide valuable insights about opportunities to enhance retention of DSPs and improve the continuity of services.


The full report can be found here at this link.

For questions or comments, please contact Tim Sohosky.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) convened for the Provider Performance Review Subcommittee on December 18, 2025, to provide updates on service utilization, National Core Indicators (NCI), and family engagement initiatives.

Service Utilization Updates

The statewide summary for services in CY 2025 highlights a continued focus on community-based and non-residential options.

  • Residential and Non-Residential Distribution: As of late 2025, Non-Residential Services account for the majority of utilization at 71.12%.
  • Residential Service Breakdown: Within residential settings, Residential Habilitation remains the most common at 25.68%, followed by Life Sharing at 2.76% and Supported Living at 0.44%.
  • Housing Support: ODP tracked the percentage of enrolled individuals receiving Housing Transition and Tenancy Services by SCO for CY 2025, with participation rates reaching up to 6% among certain providers.

National Core Indicators (NCI) and Satisfaction

ODP shared findings from the NCI-IDD In-Person Survey (2023/24) to measure person-centered outcomes and satisfaction.

  • Community Inclusion (NCI-IDD PCP-5): Pennsylvania’s average satisfaction with community inclusion was 84% for FY 2023/24, consistently exceeding the NCI-IDD national average of 82%.
    • Activity Satisfaction: High percentages of participants reported they “go out to eat enough” (77%), “go shopping enough” (81%), and “go out into the community enough” (80%).
    • Future Performance-Based Contracting: Beginning January 1, 2026, SCOs will be required to attest to supporting ODP data collection for this measure to inform future performance benchmarks.
  • Service Plan Relevance (NCI-IDD PCP-2): 92% of respondents reported “Yes,” their service plan includes things that are important to them.
    • Benchmarking: By 2027, SCO performance on this measure is expected to meet or exceed 90%.

Residential Services: Family Engagement

ODP is actively measuring how well providers engage with and support families through communication and relationship building.

  • Performance Measure (QI.03.3): Effective January 1, 2025, providers must attest to assisting ODP in collecting data on family satisfaction with provider engagement.
  • Family Satisfaction Survey Status: As of December 2025, 1,790 family members of individuals in residential habilitation have responded to the survey.
    • Provider Participation: Currently, 350 providers have positive response rates, while 18 providers have not yet been heard from.
    • Deadline: The survey is scheduled to close on December 31, 2025.

For Questions or Additional Information
Please contact Tim Sohosky for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.