direct support professional

support specialist

direct support specialist

family service counselor

care coordinator

DSP Connections

Working as a DSP can be difficult due to the varying needs of clients and the expectations set by families. In some cases, I observed families making decisions based on personal biases rather than qualifications. Additionally, workplace culture can be challenging, with some homes having a negative environment, including gossip and lack of inclusivity.

While the office staff is friendly, career growth is minimal unless you have strong connections. The management structure consists of your direct manager and the home manager, but frequent turnover in leadership creates instability. The hiring process can also be misleading, as important details about clients may not always be fully disclosed.

Staffing issues can make shifts overwhelming, especially when a client requires more than one DSP but does not receive adequate support. Training and resources for frontline workers are lacking, making it difficult to navigate certain situations. Additionally, scheduling can be inconsistent, with little consideration for employee preferences, leading to frequent last-minute changes and pressure to work beyond stated availability.

While some DSPs find the job rewarding, others feel it is simply a paycheck due to the challenges in the workplace. The overall experience largely depends on the specific home and client assigned, as company support is limited in difficult situations.

I’ll start off by saying the actual office is a very friendly place. I love what they do for clients and their employees. However I will say that the work will burn you out quickly and I feel like there are no resources for dsps. I’ve seen numerous employees get burned out from the job and let go as if it were their fault. Working for private homes within the company is hard because not only do you have to uphold DSPC values but also whatever values the manager of the house is expecting. At times it seems like they were on two different pages. DSPC may say you’re doing amazing while the house manager says otherwise.  These private homes have high turnovers and while you’d think they’d work hard to retain employees many are let go simply because the house managers have decided they don’t like you or you aren’t doing things exactly how they want them done even if they’ve changed a rule without telling anybody. I’ve had private information that I mentioned in passing conversation brought up to a manager without my consent and managers will bad mouth other employees in front of staff. I’ve never felt more scrutinized than here so much so to the point that after working 9 years as a dsp I have no desire to be in the field anymore. 

A typical day at work was difficult, you’re given the tools for the job but not any of the software you need so you needed to hobble through with free trials, shared accounts, and password sharing.
I learned that I never actually mattered, just a prop. Or a resource for extracting connections with other agencies or “competitors” (their words).
Management was difficult, they want a Dutch bros type of environment where everyone is bubbly and goal oriented. But then brandish the fact their always watching you through the office cameras. Faux concern if you’re having a bad day. Then the absolute and contemptible way they were obsessed with liability and public image. 
There was no training, my job description was typed in front of me on my first day. They didn’t even really know what they were doing. Just harvest DSPs as fast as possible and plug holes in the ship leaving families months without services with the constant lie that theyre “searching for the best possible DSP”

The job as a DSP is very rewarding, depending on the type of care and provider agency. As for DSP Connections, they are responsive in their communication, respectful of your needs, give great advice and genuinely care about their clients and DSP's. This agency is super easy to mingle with. Plus the pay is above average at $22/hr for just a DSP starting out and $24-$27 for their special programs, with a decent benefits package for all DSP's. There are perks too, such as Moda Center, double pay for certain holidays and gym reimbursements. 

Although, there is a lot of growth to be done at this agency.  Such as actual full time work (e.g more adult clients, because children clients easily go pt during the school year), immediate clients to be paired with, mileage reimbursement from client A to B (or a process of reimbursement for expenses during workerd hours), and a pay scale with annual pay raises. Not to mention on hands training pertaining to ADL's/IADL's with many I/DD courses (including a variety of CEU's).

DSP Connections appears to be an amazing company at face value. Once you work internally, you know that is not the case. They love bomb their employees and essentially brainwash them into thinking this is the best job out there. You could feel like you’re doing great at the job and then get fired. Management is very fake as they tell you what they want you to hear even though it isn’t true. They document every single conversation with you and portray it in a negative light. Their “executive” team is made up of people who have never worked in the industry. They are so hyper focused on money and the “culty” imagine they blast all of Salem. A lot of the internal employees are very nice people but they have to be or they will be fired. The owner Trina will watch you constantly, she listens to the cameras. You are video taped and recorded daily. 

I was hired for an administrative position, and a week after starting, it no longer existed. I was then forced into a DSS role, and constantly had my hours changed. I have never seen a more toxic, micro-managed, overly controlled work environment. It felt like I had unknowingly joined a cult, and I was having a hard time assimilating. I felt sorry for the other employees, and was worried that they had some form of Stockholm Syndrome. I was fired with no reasoning, and I was so relieved. I enjoyed the client, and the joy they bring to everyone, but because of the horrible environment, the turnover is high. The hardest part of the job was every single part of it, and knowing that big brother was always watching, and critiquing my performance. I learned that I prefer a more relaxed, and less authoritarian environment.

You can hardly put into words what it means to work at DSP Connections. I have never seen anyone invest in ME as much as this company does and continues to hear me and the ideas I have. For the individuals saying this is a "cult" and giving negative comments, it's unfortunate this wasn't addressed while you were working for the company. The culture of equality and inclusion of EVERYONE here is paramount to the success of DSP Connections, from the Executive Team and across the board. 

The employees are treated with top-level training, and occasionally, management will provide us lunch, and most importantly, back you as an employee and listen to your concerns. The awards and accolades this company has obtained only show a portion of why this is one of the fastest-growing companies in Oregon, possibly the US.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The respect caregivers get from management is bar none.  This company is very supportive of their DSP’s.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Clients that don’t work out can leave you without income because if you don’t work you don’t get paid. 
Also, they don’t give you any paid holidays but if you work them, you get double pay (after working there for a year) but having paid holidays makes it possible to spend time with your own family but if you can’t afford it, you don’t get holidays with your family. 
Other benefits like $ for gym membership is only given after 1 year of employment. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Office staff are always so supportive and helpful and seem very happy.  It’s a great feeling you get whenever you go to the main office.

DSP Connections is truly a standout organization. The culture here is built on compassion, collaboration, and genuine care  - not just for the people they support, but for each other. You can feel the values in every interaction, whether it’s with leadership, coworkers, or clients. 

What sets DSP Connections apart is the people – dedicated, passionate, and mission-driven individuals who show up every day to make a difference. It’s inspiring to be part of a team that lead with heart and hold each other to a high standard of excellence. The support and recognition here are real, and the commitment to growth and learning makes it a place where you can thrive both personally and professionally. 

If you’re looking for an organization whose culture truly lives up to its values, DSP Connections is it. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The office staff are incredibly nice.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Nit-picky rule and documentation requirements, management will always believe DD/Is clients over employees if there is a dispute.  Underneath it all, this is a money-making venture, not really a place focused on helping other people. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Kind to employees to the point where you can’t tell if you are doing good work or not! Work evaluations will end up being about the funding.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Grueling work bathing, changing adult diapers, being cussed at by clients. Then being reprimanded for not documenting it properly. I think I have PTSD now.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 31 salaries reported	$22.34 per hour
Support specialist 9 salaries reported	$26.00 per hour
Direct support specialist 10 salaries reported	$26.70 per hour
Family service counselor 8 salaries reported	$56,000 per year
Care coordinator 7 salaries reported	$52,000 per year

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