--- title: Strengthening Recruitment and Retention of Respite Workers description: Strengthen your respite workforce with curated resources on recruitment, retention, and career ladders. Free toolkit for respite employers and agencies. --- [![PHI Logo](https://www.phinational.org/wp-content/themes/phi/static/images/phi-logo.png) Respite Workforce Toolkit](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-home?hsLang=en) [Home](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-home?hsLang=en) [Recruitment & Retention](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment) [Career Development](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-ladders?hsLang=en) [Supporting Literature](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-recruitment?hsLang=en#literature) [Toolkit Home](https://pages.phinational.org/respite-workforce-toolkit-home?hsLang=en) › Recruitment & Retention # Recruitment & Retention Resources ## Recruitment and Retention Resource Collection PHI and the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin curated this collection, drawing on organizations across the respite, home care, and broader caregiving fields. Applying a scoring rubric developed with PHI's [Research and Evaluation team](https://www.phinational.org/service/research-strategy/?hsLang=en), the project team evaluated more than 50 resources against standards for credibility, transferability to the respite community, and accessibility, then selected the 25 featured here. Some resources are from respite agencies, others come from homecare or other healthcare systems, while others are from sectors outside of this field entirely. All offer insightful ideas, recommendations, or templates to inform or adapt to your own practices. Additional work will be required to adapt and contextualize for your own use. Use these resources to kick start conversations within your team and reignite innovation in your recruitment and retention strategies. Filter: All Recruitment & Retention Mentoring Messaging Worker Support Leadership 25 resources ### Developing a Respite Program 3 1 Toolkit #### [Student Respite Toolkit](https://respitecarewi.org/student-respite-toolkit/) From RCAW A FREE online resource that provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to academic programs on how to establish partnerships with existing respite programs and develop their own respite programs. [View Resource](https://respitecarewi.org/student-respite-toolkit/) 2 Website #### [The Respite for All Model](https://respiteforall.org/the-rfa-model/) From Respite for All Foundation Supports individuals or organizations in building a Respite Ministry in their community. Provides starting information on financing, transportation, meals, program hours, scholarship offerings, and more. [View Resource](https://respiteforall.org/the-rfa-model/) 3 Training #### [Bringing Respite to Your Community](https://respitecarewi.org/bringing-respite-to-your-community/) From RCAW A foundational training designed to help individuals explore, plan, and prepare for developing respite services in Wisconsin. [View Resource](https://respitecarewi.org/bringing-respite-to-your-community/) ### Recruitment & Retention Resources 12 4 Guide #### [Growing a Strong Direct Care Workforce: A Recruitment and Retention Guide for Employers](https://www.phinational.org/resource/growing-strong-direct-care-workforce-recruitment-retention-guide-employers/?hsLang=en) From PHI Offers 10 practical strategies to help spark ideas for recruitment and retention interventions. All strategies are rooted in the person-centered principle that individuals matter, from screening new applicants to recognizing contributions of seasoned caregivers. [View Resource](https://www.phinational.org/resource/growing-strong-direct-care-workforce-recruitment-retention-guide-employers/?hsLang=en) 5 Toolkit #### [Recruitment and Outreach Toolkit](https://resources.uwcc.wisc.edu/Healthcare/RecruitmentOutreachToolkit.pdf) From University of Wisconsin-Madison Offers recruitment, advertising, social media, local media relations, and other general messaging templates for recruiting caregivers. Messaging templates are easily modified for a respite worker audience. [View Resource](https://resources.uwcc.wisc.edu/Healthcare/RecruitmentOutreachToolkit.pdf) 6 Training #### [How to Hire, Train, and Retain Respite Providers for Family Caregivers](https://www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Documents/Circles%20of%20Life/2023%20Handouts/B8\)%20How%20to%20Hire%2C%20Train%2C%20and%20Retain%20Respite%20Providers%20-%20Full%20Page%20Slide.pdf) From RCAW Offers family caregivers clear considerations for hiring a new respite caregiver. Includes tips on defining wants and needs, job expectations, finding applicants, posting job advertisements, interviewing skills, hiring processes, and training. [View Resource](https://www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Documents/Circles%20of%20Life/2023%20Handouts/B8\)%20How%20to%20Hire%2C%20Train%2C%20and%20Retain%20Respite%20Providers%20-%20Full%20Page%20Slide.pdf) 7 Website #### [WLTCAC: Long-Term Care Worker Recruitment and Retention Resources](https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wltcac/recruitment-retention.htm) From Wisconsin Department of Health Services A curated list of digital resources on recruitment, retention, engagement, and turnover. Includes webpages, studies, books, and articles, as well as ideas from professionals in the field. [View Resource](https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wltcac/recruitment-retention.htm) 8 Tool #### [Assessing Retention Outcomes](https://ici-s.umn.edu/files/kXCggGGcNn/turnovercalculator) From Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of Minnesota Provides algorithms and analysis commentary on calculating and interpreting turnover and retention, including a fillable worksheet. [View Resource](https://ici-s.umn.edu/files/kXCggGGcNn/turnovercalculator) 9 Training #### [Recruiting, Selecting, and Retaining Direct Service Workers to Provide Self-Directed HCBS](https://publications.ici.umn.edu/cms/dsw/modules) From Institute on Community Integration at University of Minnesota and CMS A series of learning modules offering content on skills and competencies, as well as recruiting, hiring, welcoming, and supporting Direct Support Professionals. [View Resource](https://publications.ici.umn.edu/cms/dsw/modules) 10 Toolkit #### [Recruitment and Retention in Supports for Minnesotans with Disabilities: An Assessment Guide and Toolkit](https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-7306-ENG) From Minnesota Department of Human Services Offers organizational assessments as well as recommended strategies for recruitment and retention practices. Focus areas include person-centered workplaces, hiring, turnover, mentoring, supervision, communication, and recognition practices. [View Resource](https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-7306-ENG) 11 Toolkit #### [HCA Behavioral Health Careers Recruitment](https://startyourpath.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HCA_2024_Customizable_Toolkit_R1T1.pdf) From Washington State Health Care Authority Provides a sample recruitment communications plan with adaptable templates for key messaging, job posting, newsletters, social media, and tactics for gathering testimonials. Messaging is transferrable to respite work. [View Resource](https://startyourpath.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HCA_2024_Customizable_Toolkit_R1T1.pdf) 12 Website #### [Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center: Recruitment & Retention](https://acl.gov/DCWcenter/Recruitment) From Administration for Community Living A repository of resources that inform and identify recruitment and retention strategies for agencies employing direct care workers. [View Resource](https://acl.gov/DCWcenter/Recruitment) 13 Book #### [Staff Recruitment, Retention, & Training Strategies for Community Human Services Organizations](https://ici.umn.edu/products/580) From University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration (ICI) A textbook offering chapters on retention, recruitment, supervision, mentoring, training, workforce development, specific diagnoses, and more. Shared with permission from the ICI Publications Office. [View Resource](https://ici.umn.edu/products/580) 14 Book #### [Direct Support Workforce Solutions: A Guidebook of Strategies for Individual and Collective Action](https://www.aaidd.org/publications/bookstore-home/new-this-year/direct-support-workforce-solutions-a-guidebook-of-strategies-for-individual-and-collective-action-toward-workforce-stability) From American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities A textbook offering chapters on workforce solutions, elevating direct support professionals, attracting and recruiting, hiring, credentialling, leveraging technology, supporting health and wellness, and more. [View Resource](https://www.aaidd.org/publications/bookstore-home/new-this-year/direct-support-workforce-solutions-a-guidebook-of-strategies-for-individual-and-collective-action-toward-workforce-stability) 15 Training #### [Frontline Supervisor Train-the-Trainer Curriculum](https://nadsp.org/services/curricula/frontline-supervisor-curriculum/) From NADSP (National Association of Direct Support Professionals) This Train-the-Trainer curriculum provides organizations with knowledge and expertise to train frontline supervisors in leadership development, difficult conversations, working with a multi-generational workforce, team building, and more. Paid training. [View Resource](https://nadsp.org/services/curricula/frontline-supervisor-curriculum/) ### Mentoring 2 16 Toolkit #### [Mentoring in the Workplace](https://www.weps.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/WEPs_GUIDANCE_Mentoring_in_the_Workplace_0.pdf) From Women's Empowerment Principles Provides background on the business-related impacts of mentoring programs, examples of mentoring programs as well as various frameworks and models for replication, tools for implementation, and evaluation and sustainability information. [View Resource](https://www.weps.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/WEPs_GUIDANCE_Mentoring_in_the_Workplace_0.pdf) 17 Guide #### [Mentoring Program Guidance and Program Plan](https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/11/f19/DOE_Mentoring%20Guidance%20%20Pgrm%20Plan2_0.pdf) From U.S. Department of Energy An example of an existing mentorship program with guidance on setting up the proper framework, sample program documents such as discussion questions between mentors and mentees, mentor-matching practices, and evaluation considerations. [View Resource](https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/11/f19/DOE_Mentoring%20Guidance%20%20Pgrm%20Plan2_0.pdf) ### Recruitment & Outreach Messaging 3 18 Toolkit #### [Health Center Language Database: Community Health Center Movement-Centric Recruitment Language](https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NACHC-Recruitment-and-Retention-Toolkit_Dec-2023_Full-Toolkit-compressed.pdf) From National Association of Community Health Centers Provides sample language for Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How questions in recruitment messaging. Includes templates for social media, pipeline building, and career mapping. Features Persona-Based Messaging for recruiting ideal candidates like former clients and retired professionals. [View Resource](https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NACHC-Recruitment-and-Retention-Toolkit_Dec-2023_Full-Toolkit-compressed.pdf) 19 Guide #### [Community Health Center Recruiting & Retention: Social Media Strategy Resource](https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NACHC-Workforce-Development-Social-Media-Guidance-1.pdf) From National Association of Community Health Centers Offers templates and sample language for social media recruitment, as well as general information about specific platforms to inform strategy. [View Resource](https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NACHC-Workforce-Development-Social-Media-Guidance-1.pdf) 20 Research #### [Public Thinking About Care Work in a Time of Social Upheaval](https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/app/uploads/2021/10/Care-work-culture-change-report-Oct2021.pdf) From the Frameworks Institute Explores public perception of direct care work, and how views change in the context of current-day culture. Includes Year One and Year Two findings from the Culture Change Project. [View Resource](https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/app/uploads/2021/10/Care-work-culture-change-report-Oct2021.pdf) ### Respite Worker Support & Wellness 4 21 Toolkit #### [Mental Wellness Tools for Organizations](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/stay-well-program-resources/resources-for-employers/wellness-toolkit) From Health & Human Services Department of Michigan A toolkit for employers containing resources for launching an employee mental wellness program, activities and communications templates, worksheets and team exercises, and slide decks. [View Resource](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/stay-well-program-resources/resources-for-employers/wellness-toolkit) 22 Tool #### [Workplace Wellbeing Question Bank](https://whatworkswellbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/question-bank-workplace-wellbeing-July2020.pdf) From What Works Centre for Wellbeing Offers a validated question set to measure the wellbeing of employees in an organization. Gathering this type of data can offer insight to an employer on the activities and programs needed to better support employees. [View Resource](https://whatworkswellbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/question-bank-workplace-wellbeing-July2020.pdf) 23 Guide #### [A Guide to Effective Individual Development Plans](https://leadingage.org/wp-content/uploads/drupal/Workforce%20Individual%20Development%20Plan.pdf) From LeadingAge Offers a template to create individual development plans that focus on personal and professional development of frontline caregivers. Provides templates, scripting, discussion questions, and additional sources. [View Resource](https://leadingage.org/wp-content/uploads/drupal/Workforce%20Individual%20Development%20Plan.pdf) 24 Podcast #### [Wellness Matters for Direct Support](https://ici.umn.edu/series/oW249Ph6Rl2JfCNPOruyeQ) From University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration (ICI) A podcast series produced by and for direct service providers. Discusses a variety of topics over many episodes, including promoting resilience, trauma-informed care, eating healthy on a budget, and more. Shared with permission. [View Resource](https://ici.umn.edu/series/oW249Ph6Rl2JfCNPOruyeQ) ### Leadership Training for Supervisors 1 25 Training #### [PHI Coaching Approach®](https://www.phinational.org/service/phi-coaching-approach/?hsLang=en) From PHI A signature curriculum that builds essential communication and problem-solving skills through training and support. Goals include strengthening teams, building relational skills, improving problem solving, and growing respectful relationships for better quality care. [View Resource](https://www.phinational.org/service/phi-coaching-approach/?hsLang=en) ### Supporting Literature 7 Research supporting the need for healthy recruitment and retention models across the direct care workforce. #### [The 5 Pillars of Direct Care Job Quality](https://www.phinational.org/resource/the-5-pillars-of-direct-care-job-quality/?hsLang=en) PHI. (2020, October 26). The 5 Pillars of Direct Care Job Quality. PHI. #### [Caring for the Future: The Power and Potential of America's Direct Care Workforce](https://www.phinational.org/caringforthefuture/?hsLang=en) Campbell, S., Del Rio Drake, A., Espinoza, R., & Scales, K. (2021, January 12). PHI. #### [Incentives, Wages and Retention Among Direct Support Professionals](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10288864/) Pettingell, S. L., et al. (2022). Intellectual and developmental disabilities, 60(2), 113–127. #### [Minnesota Direct Support Worker Survey](https://ici-s.umn.edu/files/97yqCJKfgd/direct-support-worker-survey_v5ar) Hewitt, A., Pettingell, S. & Kramme, J. (2019). University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration. #### [Experiences of Empathy-Based Stress Among Care Staff Supporting Children and Adolescents](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/hsc/9828118) Madden, R., & Coffey, L. (2025). Health & Social Care in the Community, Article ID 9828118. #### [Developing Sustainable Workforce Solutions in Behavioral Health and Direct Care](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Inside-MDHHS/Policy-and-Planning/MDHHS-Workforce-Report.pdf) Health Management Associates & Public Sector Consultants. (2023, July 15). Michigan DHHS. #### [Factors Impacting Retention of Aged Care Workers: A Systematic Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10706301/) Thwaites, C., Allan, S., Westbrook, J., & Collins, P. (2023). Int. Journal of Env. Research and Public Health, 20(22). ### No resources found Try adjusting your search terms or filters Want personalized support for your recruitment and retention strategies? [Schedule a Free Consultation](https://www.phinational.org/contact-us/?utm_source=respite-workforce-toolkit&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=recruitment-retention&hsLang=en) Resource toolkit curated in partnership between [PHI](https://www.phinational.org/?hsLang=en) and [Respite Care Association of Wisconsin](https://respitecarewi.org/) 261 Madison Avenue, Suite 913, New York, NY 10016  |  tel: (718) 402-7766 Questions? [Schedule a free consultation](https://www.phinational.org/contact-us/?utm_source=respite-workforce-toolkit&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=recruitment-retention&hsLang=en) This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,666,667 with 75 percent funded by ACL/HHS and $416,667, or 25 percent, funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government. [![PHI logo](https://pages.phinational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PHI_Horiz_color.png?width=760&height=205&name=PHI_Horiz_color.png "PHI logo")](https://www.phinational.org/?hsLang=en) [Contact us](https://www.google.com/)