In an industry shaped by care, compliance, and constant evolution, it’s easy for agency leaders to feel like we’re operating on an island. But the truth is, we were never meant to do this work alone. That’s why the recent QSP Mastermind wasn’t just another event—it was a signal fire for collaboration, clarity, and shared momentum.
Working for a company that serves adults with disabilities is not just a profession for me; it’s a deeply personal journey anchored in my core values. The secret to my genuine love for this job lies in the alignment with my beliefs, the compassionate community surrounding me, and the continual personal and professional growth it offers. Here’s a glimpse into my reasons for cherishing this role and tips to help you discover your own “why.”
In most industries, Quality Assurance (QA) is aimed at ensuring efficient output and quality of a product. In human services, the “product” is a service that impacts the quality of a person’s life. QA ensures that policies and practices are in place to provide quality results, stability in services, health and safety of people receiving services and accountability to desired outcomes. QA also measures our performance of service contracts and expected industry best practice. QA includes monitoring practices for both people receiving services as well as the staff supporting them.
In the field of Supported and Independent Living Services, retaining skilled Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) is crucial. At Quick Solve Plus, we understand that showing genuine appreciation can significantly impact employee retention. One powerful approach we’ve found effective is understanding and implementing the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, based on the work of Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul White.
Incorporating Quality Time into our appreciation efforts has strengthened relationships and boosted morale among our DSPs. As we continue to explore and emphasize different appreciation languages each quarter, we encourage you to consider how you can support and honor your colleagues through Quality Time.
By understanding and practicing these appreciation languages, you can enhance your interactions with colleagues and contribute to a more supportive and engaging workplace, ultimately improving DSP retention.
In the realm of human services, trust is the cornerstone of effective relationships and organizational success. Whether you’re providing direct support to individuals or managing a team of dedicated professionals, establishing trust is essential. The four cores of credibility, as defined in The Speed of Trust, offer a universal framework for building trust in any organization. These cores—integrity, intent, capabilities, and results—make you believable to yourself and others. The first two cores deal with character, while the second two focus on competence.
If you have read The Four Dysfunctions of a Team or The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni, you will recognize familiar language and concepts, especially “Humble, Hungry, and Smart.” In The Speed of Trust, the visual metaphor of a tree illustrates how all four cores of credibility are interconnected and vital. You can have the best systems and technology in place, but without a foundation of trust with your team, those tools will not get you very far. Additionally, delegating is a principle practice for any manager and delegation can be challenging when trust is not established. Let’s break down these principles of trust further.
When working in services for people with intellectual disability, it’s easy to feel isolated, shouldering the weight of decisions and challenges alone. But last week, that changed for many of us. We gathered for a mastermind event that brought together CEOs and key leaders from various organizations who also use our QSP software, with one goal in mind—building a stronger sense of community through shared wisdom. The event, facilitated by our own Melanie Bazile, became a space where we not only shared ideas but also connected on a deeper level.
In the human services industry, burnout is often seen as an unavoidable consequence of high demands and emotional labor. However, a new perspective is emerging, asserting that burnout is simply unacceptable. At its core, burnout can reflect a victim mentality—an indication of inadequate boundaries or ineffective self-care techniques. This common narrative should not be worn as a badge of honor; rather, it is a signal that deeper issues related to personal accountability and self-management need to be addressed.
Running a community-based service like Supported Living Services (SLS) or Independent Living Services (ILS) can feel like
By Jenny Snider As the CFO of Compass, an organization serving adults with developmental disabilities,