Free FFI toolDecide
Provider Comparison Worksheet
Choosing a provider is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Use this side-by-side worksheet to track services, communication style, training, and fit — then print or save your notes.
- Estimated time
- About 10 minutes
- Audience
- Families interviewing providers
Compare up to three providers side by side. Notes save automatically on this device.
| Field | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basics | |||
| Provider name | |||
| Primary contact + phone/email | |||
| How long they've been a DDD provider | |||
| Services offered— Make sure they offer the specific service authorizations on the ISP. | |||
| Supported Living (HASL) | |||
| Respite | |||
| Pre-employment (STEP) | |||
| Supported Employment (ISE / GSE) | |||
| People & training— Who delivers the supports, and how are they prepared? | |||
| Average DSP / coach experience | |||
| Required training (Article 9, CPR, role-specific, behavioral) | |||
| Coach-to-individual ratio (group services) | |||
| How often do staff change? | |||
| Approach & values— The why behind the work matters. | |||
| How they describe person-centered planning | |||
| Behavior-support philosophy | |||
| How families are involved | |||
| Logistics— The day-to-day mechanics. | |||
| How scheduling works (regular cadence, changes, last-minute) | |||
| How families get updates (notes, app, calls) | |||
| On-call / emergency protocol | |||
| Transportation (provider drives? family does?) | |||
| Your gut— Sometimes the right answer isn't on a checklist. | |||
| First impression of the team | |||
| Would you trust them with your loved one? | |||
| Concerns or red flags | |||
Questions worth asking every provider
Pick the ones that matter most for your situation. The answers tell you a lot.
About the work
- “Walk me through a typical day with someone you support.”
- “How do you measure progress on ISP goals?”
- “What's a time something didn't go well, and how did you handle it?”
- “How do you support someone whose behavior puts them or others at risk?”
About the people
- “How do you hire DSPs? What do you screen for?”
- “What training is required before someone works with my loved one?”
- “How do you keep your team — and what's your turnover like?”
- “Will the same DSP support my loved one consistently?”
About working together
- “How will I know what's happening day-to-day?”
- “How quickly do you respond to questions or concerns?”
- “How do you handle disagreements with families?”
- “What would you need from me to do your best work?”
About the future
- “How do you think about an individual becoming more independent over time?”
- “When have you helped someone move from group support to individual?”
- “What would prompt you to recommend a different provider?”
One of the providers you're considering?
Ask us anything — even if you go with someone else.
A good provider should welcome the comparison. We'd rather you choose the right fit, period.