According to the Arc of North Carolina, a workforce shortage in human services is continuing to hurt people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 


What You Need To Know

  • Many direct support professionals in the human services field earn under $15 an hour 

  • According to the Arc of North Carolina, a workforce shortage in human services is continuing to hurt people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

  • Linda Carney has been in this field for 42 years


Linda Carney’s position in the field is more than just a job to her.

“Little did I know that desire as an 11-year-old would become my career,” Carney said. 

She is a program guide at MountainCare Services, and she has been helping aging adults and individuals facing mental and physical challenges for 42 years.

Carney said it gets better and better for her every day. She says some of the bonds she forms as a guide last a lifetime. 

Not everyone has a journey like Carney’s.

“The work is challenging,” Carney said. “The work is uplifting and stimulating. So many people don’t see the uplifting and stimulating parts because the work can be very different.”

Fewer people are entering the workforce of direct support professionals, causing shortages across the state. 

Many direct support professionals in the field earn under $15 an hour. 

“For the hard work and the wages, not many people are choosing to go into the human services field anymore,” Carney said.

Over 15,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are on a waiting list for services. 

Carney knows she’ll continue her services, but worries for the many people left without them. 

“There’s so much joy in guiding people through their day, which is what we do here at MountainCare,” Carney said. “I do groups on all different kinds of things, and there are so many people out there in the community that don’t realize how much they have to give.”

She hopes others will see the same joy in it that she does.

“It breaks my heart when I see people who I know would be really good in this field opt for another organization because it might be paying a few more dollars,” Carney said. 

MountainCare Services is open for enrollment in their Adult Care program and hopes to continue growing their services.