AASD and DSD eList announcement

Date: Oct. 20, 2026
To: People who receive supports, service providers, lead agencies and other interested parties
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions
Purpose: To share results from the direct care workforce shortage impact survey
Contact: PositiveSupports@state.mn.us

Direct care workforce shortage survey results

Earlier this year, DHS conducted a new annual survey to learn how the nationwide direct care workforce shortage impacted people who received disability, aging and behavioral health services in Minnesota in 2025. We announced the survey in a Dec. 23, 2025, eList announcement.

Survey results

The survey results confirm that the direct care workforce shortage:

· Remains a problem for many Minnesotans.

· Requires dedicated resources and time from DHS, other state agencies and partners.

For more information about the survey results, refer to 2025 Direct Care Workforce Survey Results – Impacts on Minnesotans Who Were Eligible for Supports (PDF).

DHS actions

DHS will use the annual survey data to:

· Track how people’s experiences change over time.

· Educate state leaders and public audiences about why the workforce shortage is an urgent problem and how it impacts Minnesotans.

· Continue efforts to address the direct care workforce shortage.

DHS plans to conduct the survey again in late December 2026 through January 2027. We will send an eList to announce the next survey opportunity.

Previous and ongoing efforts to address the direct care workforce shortage

State agencies, elected officials, private organizations, people receiving services, families and others have been working to address the direct care workforce shortage in Minnesota for more than two decades. For strategies implemented to address the shortage, refer to DHS – Completed strategies.

Background information about the direct care workforce shortage

The direct care workforce shortage is a national problem, as explained in Bipartisan Policy Center – Report: Addressing the direct care workforce shortage.

For data and resources, refer to DHS – The direct care workforce shortage in Minnesota.

Background information about direct care

Direct care is paid help from a staff person, including paid family caregivers, with things like:

· Eating or meal preparation.

· Bathing.

· Transportation.

· Managing bills or other paperwork.

· Housework.

· Job support.

· Learning new skills.

· Managing behavioral or cognitive challenges.

· Taking medications.

More information

To stay informed about new direct care workforce shortage initiatives, sign up for one of the email subscription lists below:

· Lead agency eList, stakeholder eList or direct care professional eList on CBSM – DSD eLists.

· Aging services eList on CBSM – AASD eLists.

Previous eList announcements

AASD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD STAKEHOLDER ARCHIVE