Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1401085
6 Worcester Business Journal | August 16, 2021 | wbjournal.com e human shortage Low wages and stressful jobs are widening the labor shortage at human services nonprofits S ean Rose got his start in the human services industry as a direct support professional in a home for teens, making about $13 an hour. More than 20 years later, Rose is now the CEO and president of rive Support & Advocacy, a Marlborough- based nonprofit for individuals with developmental disabilities. e median salary for a direct support professional today? Exactly the same. Low wages are just one of several compounding factors leading the human services industry into a staffing shortage crisis. Rose said his organization lost about half of its part-time staff during the coronavirus pandemic and has dozens of vacancies for full-time, direct care positions. e pandemic only antagonized an already daunting crisis, however. In 2017, a report by National Core Indicators revealed an 8% vacancy rate among full-time direct support professionals. Massachusetts' human services sector, which includes care and treatment for people with disabilities, substance abuse, and mental health challenges, makes up more than 185,000 jobs, said Michael Weekes, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, better known as e Providers' Council. "ey're our safety nets," said Weekes. "If you didn't have someone taking care of your elderly parent or a person with a disability that you're caring for, you couldn't come to work and then your productivity is hard." Human services is a rapidly growing industry in the state, accounting for roughly 40% of all community and social service jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. From 2004 to 2014, the industry grew by 58% and is expected to expand by another 25,000 jobs by 2024. Many of these jobs will include direct support professionals, home health aids, and personal care aids, said a 2017 report from the Providers' Council. BY KATHERINE HAMILTON Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer Thrive President and CEO Sean Rose Mental health & substance abuse social workers $84,540 Educational guidance/career counselors $72,780 Healthcare social workers $62,640 Marriage & family therapists $54,150 Community & social service $53,400 Child, family & school social workers $52,760 Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, & mental health counselors $50,590 Rehabilitation counselors $48,830 Community health workers $46,300 Community and social service specialists, all other $46,030 Social & human service assistants $38,330 Social service worker salaries Human service assistants are the lowest paid of social service workers in Massachusetts. Occupation Annual mean wage Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics PHOTO/COURTESY OF THRIVE SUPPORT & ADVOCACY Marlborough nonprofit Thrive struggled through the pandemic to maintain staff.