How TPS Expirations Affect Our Community

At Road to Responsibility, relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

For many of the adults we support, consistency isn't simply comforting. It's essential. Familiar faces, trusted routines, and caregivers who understand an individual's unique needs create the stability that allows our Members to thrive.

Following the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) work authorization for many Haitian nationals, Road to Responsibility (RTR) lost 19 valued employees who were no longer eligible to continue working under federal law. Many had worked at RTR for years, with some dedicating nearly a decade to supporting our Members and building meaningful relationships with the people they served.

"This is a human tragedy for our Members, who have lost longtime, trusted caregivers, and for the employees and their families who are being forced to leave jobs and communities after following all of the rules," said Christopher White, President & CEO of Road to Responsibility. "Many of our Members struggle with changes in caregivers, particularly those with significant medical or emotional needs. These relationships matter, and losing them has a real impact."

For many organizations, filling a vacancy means hiring someone new. In disability services, replacing a trusted caregiver means rebuilding a relationship.

Beyond the impact on our Members, these staffing changes have intensified an already challenging workforce environment. Providers across Massachusetts continue to face significant shortages of direct support professionals (DSPs), even as the need for services continues to grow.

At RTR, many open shifts are now being covered through employee overtime and temporary staffing agencies while we continue recruiting dedicated DSPs. In some cases, agency staffing costs are nearly double the hourly reimbursement provided through state contracts, creating additional financial strain.

RTR remains committed to providing the high-quality, person-centered support our Members deserve. While the loss of these valued employees has had a significant impact on RTR, these challenges will not be resolved overnight. We are deeply grateful for the dedicated professionals who have served our community, and our responsibility to our Members remains unchanged. The individuals and families who rely on RTR deserve consistent, compassionate care, and that is exactly what we will continue to provide.