How One IDD Provider Cracked the Code on DSP Retention

Let’s be real: training new DSPs is exhausting. You spend all this time onboarding, only to have them ghost you before the 90-day mark. And at some point, you start to wonder… Is it even worth it to go above and beyond when they might leave anyway?

Vocational Training Center (VTC) in Fargo, ND, proves the answer is YES!

They don’t just “orient” new hires—they set them up for success with an extended, experience-based training model. And here’s the kicker: it’s working. While turnover in the IDD industry is notoriously high, VTC has managed to keep their numbers well below average.

The secret? Live, hands-on training led by actual employees—not a computer. And the real game-changer: peer mentors.

The Roadmap to Success: What Makes VTC Different?

Most new DSPs get a rushed orientation—a couple days of computer modules, a policy review, and then straight into the deep end. Sink or swim.

At VTC, new hires go through an extended onboarding experience that blends classroom learning with real on-the-job practice. But they don’t just shadow a veteran staff member for a day and call it good. They’ve built a multi-week, structured learning process that actually sticks:

1. Live instructor-led training (no soul-crushing e-learning modules)

2. Hands-on shadowing with an experienced DSP

3. Reverse job shadowing (new hires take the lead while mentors observe and coach)

4. Peer mentors who provide both skill training and social support

This isn’t just nice in theory—it’s a textbook example of Behavior Skills Training (BST), one of the most effective ways to teach new skills. (Don’t worry, you don’t need a PhD to use it—more on that in a second.)

The Power of Peer Mentors

Here’s where VTC really gets it right: every new DSP is paired with a peer mentor.

And no, this isn’t just “shadow someone for a day and hope for the best.” These mentors are trained to actively guide new hires through the learning curve—not just teaching them what to do, but helping them feel like they belong.

Think about your first job. What made you stay? It probably wasn’t the HR policies. It was that one person who made you feel like you weren’t an outsider. That’s what peer mentors do—they create connection and confidence.

And guess what? Employees who feel supported stick around.

Why This Works: Behavior Skills Training (BST)

VTC probably wouldn’t call it this, but their model is a perfect example of Behavior Skills Training (BST).

BST has four simple (but powerful) steps:

1. Instruction – Explain the skill in simple terms

2. Modeling – Show how it’s done

3. Practice – Have the learner try it with support

4. Feedback – Give immediate coaching to refine skills

This is exactly what VTC does—new hires see the job done right, practice it with a mentor, and get real-time feedback before they’re on their own. This method is research-backed, wildly effective, and—most importantly—helps people actually retain what they learn.

(And this method of training can also revolutionize your frontline supervisors—check out this blog post for more on that.)

How to Use These Strategies At Your Own Agency

The success of VTC’s system isn’t based on luck. It’s just good design. You can do this, too—here’s how:

1. Ditch the click-through trainings (or least balance them with other forms of training). Find ways to make orientation more interactive (live instruction, discussion-based learning, hands-on activities).

2. Build a structured job shadowing process. Don’t just throw new hires into the mix—map out what they’ll observe, when, and how they’ll transition to doing tasks themselves.

3. Use peer mentors. Choose experienced DSPs who embody your agency’s culture and train them to be guides, not just trainers.

4. Apply Behavior Skills Training. Make sure every skill is explained, modeled, practiced, and reinforced with feedback.

5. Make leadership accessible. VTC’s open-door culture means new hires feel supported from day one—set the same expectation at your agency.

Want more proven strategies to boost DSP retention and improve onboarding? Download the 10 Questions PDF to assess your new hire experience and start making real, measurable improvements today.