Most providers responding indicated they maintain a PRN (as-needed) staff pool as an important component of their staffing model. PRN staff cover vacations, sick calls, and unexpected schedule gaps.

Provider strategies for maintaining an adequate PRN pool:
– Pay PRN staff a premium hourly rate (typically $1–3/hour above regular DSP rate) to compensate for the lack of guaranteed hours.
– Offer flexible scheduling that allows PRN staff to set availability windows.
– Recruit retired DSPs, college students in human services programs, or family members with care experience as PRN staff.
– Partner with a local staffing agency for additional coverage when the PRN pool is exhausted.
– Track PRN availability carefully — some providers use a shared scheduling platform to manage PRN assignments.

Providers who do not maintain a PRN pool reported more frequent service gaps and expressed regret not having built one earlier. Building a PRN pool before it is urgently needed is strongly recommended.