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IDD Leader
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.
IDD Leader
Ep. 67 - Only 11% Turnover: How Melmark Onboards Staff
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How does Melmark achieve only 11% annual turnover in a field where many providers face 40–60%?
In this episode, host Nate Beers continues his conversation with Helena Maguire, digging into Melmark’s extended, behaviorally grounded onboarding model—one that prioritizes confidence before coverage.
This is practical, field-tested onboarding that actually works: slower, more deliberate, and transformative for retention.
If you want a real-world example of an onboarding system that stabilizes teams rather than spinning them into crisis, this episode is a masterclass.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Rethinking Orientation: How Melmark Launches New Staff
09:26 – Training for Real People: Tailoring Learning to Every DSP
12:28 – Phase Two: On-the-Job Practice That Builds Real Competence
16:55 – The Reality of Residential Scheduling (and What Actually Works)
20:24 – Reinforcement That Matters: How Melmark Motivates Performance
27:49 – Designing a High-Performance Culture Without Burnout
33:05 – Can Other Providers Replicate This Model? What It Really Takes
42:57 – The Payoff: Cutting Turnover with a Smarter Onboarding System
Learn More About Melmark
Explore Melmark’s programs, mission, and leadership:
https://www.melmark.org/
Free Upcoming Sessions for IDD Leaders
This episode is part of a broader conversation about building a stronger, more stable workforce.
Nate is collaborating with the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI) on an upcoming free virtual series:
Direct Support Leadership Lens: Strategies for a Stronger Workforce
These sessions are designed for leaders who want practical, behaviorally grounded strategies to reduce turnover and support supervisors more effectively.
Learn more or register at https://iddleader.com
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