5 Tips for Getting Ready for What’s Ahead in the I/DD Industry

I/DD industry professionals and leaders must prepare to meet the challenges presented by the arrival of a new year of rapid change and opportunity head-on. Whether you’re focused on improving outcomes, navigating funding complexities or integrating technology into your workflows, 2025 promises to bring bountiful innovations and opportunities.

How can your organization achieve maximum preparedness for the year ahead?

Let’s dive in.

Audit Your Technology Ecosystem

Is your organization equipped with the tools needed to deliver exceptional care and streamline operations? You might want to consider a full technology audit.

• Look for gaps: Are outdated systems creating inefficiencies? Are you missing opportunities to use automation or data analytics to enhance outcomes?
• Evaluate scalability: Can your current tech solutions handle growth or increased demands?

Taking stock of your systems ensures you’re ready to adopt emerging tools or enhance existing ones, especially in areas like electronic health records (EHR) or electronic visit verification (EVV).

Prioritize Workforce Development

Your team is your greatest asset—investing in them now sets the tone for years to come.

• Upskill staff: Focus on professional development programs tailored for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Whether it’s training in crisis management or mastering new tech platforms, providing growth opportunities boosts both morale and efficiency.
• Enhance recruitment: With workforce shortages affecting the I/DD sector, competitive benefits and strong onboarding processes are crucial to attracting top talent. For example, offering tuition reimbursement programs and mentorship opportunities can appeal to job seekers, while structured onboarding programs that include shadowing experienced staff can help new hires acclimate quickly and effectively. Similarly, targeting the next generation of young, tech-savvy professionals by appealing to their passions and promoting a technology-filled work environment can also help bolster recruitment.

Strengthening your workforce ensures better service delivery and long-term organizational resilience.

Double Down on Data Modernization

Data is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s essential for informed decision-making and securing funding.

• Centralize data systems: Integrating data across platforms enables your team to easily access critical insights about the people they support, services, and outcomes.
• Focus on grants: Public health grants often require robust data reporting. Modernizing your systems to meet these requirements can increase funding opportunities.

With clean, actionable data at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities 2025 brings.

Strengthen Community Partnerships

Collaboration within and beyond the industry can unlock new resources and innovations.

• Connect with peer organizations: Sharing best practices and challenges with others fosters innovation.
• Expand external partnerships: Strengthen ties with local governments, nonprofits and advocacy groups to enhance the services you offer. For example, Easterseals, a Netsmart client, collaborated with local organizations to create employment and training programs for individuals, support increased job placements and community involvement.

Strong partnerships make your organization more agile and better equipped to adapt to change. Learn more about our partnership.

Focus on Person-Centered Care

As new technologies and policies emerge, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most: delivering care that empowers individuals.

• Engage people and families: Offering access to a consumer portal can allow for easy input directly from the communities and individuals you serve. Soliciting feedback ensures programs meet real-world needs.
• Invest in flexible solutions: From adaptive care plans to technology designed specifically for you, person-centered approaches keep your organization aligned with its mission.

When care is personalized, outcomes improve—and so does satisfaction.

Closing Thoughts: Your 2025 Game Plan

The I/DD industry stands at an exciting crossroads of innovation and opportunity. By auditing your technology, empowering your workforce, modernizing your data, fostering collaboration and keeping care person-centered, your organization will be well-equipped to thrive in 2025. Adaptability will be key—ensuring your team can pivot quickly as new challenges and opportunities arise.

Tricia Zerger is the Senior Director of Human Services Strategy at Netsmart.