Trust, respect, and training: Principles of care for service professionals supporting adults with intellectual disabilities in community residential programs

Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities in community residential programs receive services from direct support professionals (DSPs) intended to facilitate community engagement. As part of a rate study for Washington State’s Developmental Disabilities Administration on community residential services, adults in these programs were asked to provide their perspective on the quality and effectiveness of their care. Method: Twenty-five adults with intellectual disabilities were interviewed focusing on daily activities, staffing, and living situations. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for dominant themes. Results: Participants emphasized the desire for trustworthy, caring, and respectful DSPs; DSPs trained in behavioral management techniques made participants feel safe and supported. Nearly all participants called for greater staffing stability. Conclusions: People living in community residential programs are profoundly impacted by the stress and uncertainty of DSPs facing limited resources and high staff turnover. Stable, consistent support makes it easier for participants to engage in community integration.