From Service to Support: How Military Talent Is Reshaping Community Care

CARY, NC – December 02, 2025 – In an industry grappling with persistent workforce instability, ResCare Community Living, a leading provider of community-based care, is pioneering a strategic solution that reaches beyond traditional recruitment methods. The company has deepened its partnership with Orion Talent, a firm specializing in military talent acquisition, to create a dedicated pipeline for hiring and developing veterans and military spouses. This collaboration is more than a public relations initiative; it represents a calculated response to a critical labor crisis and a forward-thinking model for building a resilient, mission-driven workforce within the demanding healthcare ecosystem.

While many companies court veteran talent, ResCare’s approach appears deeply integrated into its core operational strategy. By systematically aligning the unique skill sets of former service members with the acute needs of the community care sector, the organization is not just filling vacancies—it's investing in a talent pool uniquely prepared for the challenges of the field.

The Unseen Crisis on the Home Front

The community-based support sector, which provides essential daily care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been navigating a severe workforce crisis for years. The role of a Direct Support Professional (DSP), the backbone of this industry, is characterized by immense responsibility and profound personal impact, yet it is plagued by systemic challenges. National turnover rates for DSPs have consistently hovered near 50%, creating a revolving door that compromises care continuity and strains organizational resources. High vacancy rates, sometimes exceeding 20%, mean that providers frequently operate understaffed, forcing them to turn away individuals in need and stretching existing employees to their limits.

The root causes are complex, but low wages are a significant factor. With a median hourly wage around $14.50 in recent years, many DSPs struggle to earn a living wage, pushing them toward more lucrative, often less demanding, employment. Compounding this is a perceived lack of career progression, with many direct care workers seeing their role as a job rather than a long-term career path. These factors combine to create a volatile labor market where compassion and dedication are in high demand but short supply. It is within this challenging environment that ResCare’s strategic pivot toward military talent becomes particularly insightful.

A New Battalion for the Front Lines of Care

The partnership with Orion Talent is designed to tap into a workforce whose training and experience are remarkably aligned with the core competencies of a successful care professional. Veterans and military spouses often possess a deeply ingrained sense of duty, adaptability forged in dynamic environments, and a proven ability to lead and work within a team. These are not just soft skills; they are critical assets in a role that demands quick problem-solving, unwavering dependability, and profound empathy.

“Veterans and military spouses embody the values that drive our organization, leading with compassion,” noted Dave Folkner, ResCare’s Regional President for the Central Region. “Our partnership with Orion Talent allows us to connect with these outstanding individuals and create career opportunities where they can continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.”

This synergy is already yielding results. The collaboration has successfully placed veterans in DSP roles across multiple regions and filled a critical clinical position with a Nurse Manager in West Virginia. These early wins demonstrate the viability of translating military experience into the civilian care sector. For many veterans, the transition to civilian life involves a search not just for a job, but for a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie—elements they lost after leaving the service. A career in community support offers a direct way to continue a life of service, channeling their protective instincts and leadership skills toward vulnerable populations.

Beyond Recruitment: Building Sustainable Careers

Recognizing that high turnover is driven by more than just recruitment challenges, ResCare and Orion Talent have structured their partnership to focus heavily on long-term retention and career development. This addresses a key pain point for both veterans seeking meaningful advancement and for the healthcare industry struggling to keep skilled workers.

“This partnership helps us reach talented, mission-driven individuals who share our passion for helping others,” said Amy Sandoval, Talent Acquisition Manager for the Central Region. “Looking ahead, our goal is to make ResCare a place where veterans and military spouses can build long-term, meaningful careers.”

To achieve this, ResCare has implemented several key support structures. The company’s VETS Affinity Group serves as an internal network, providing mentorship, community, and professional development resources specifically for employees with a military background. Furthermore, the organization offers tangible benefits that support career growth, including tuition discounts and clear pathways for advancement. Its parent company, BrightSpring Health Services, reportedly invested approximately $15 million in employee training programs in 2022, signaling a strong corporate commitment to upskilling its workforce. For military spouses, who often face career disruptions due to frequent relocations, ResCare’s nationwide transfer options provide a level of stability rarely found in other industries.

A Replicable Model for Healthcare's Future

The ResCare-Orion Talent collaboration offers a compelling blueprint for the broader healthcare ecosystem. As hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies all face similar labor pressures, looking to non-traditional talent pools is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity. The veteran unemployment rate has consistently remained low, yet studies show that underemployment and the search for purposeful work remain significant challenges for those transitioning out of the military.

Greg Summers, CEO of Orion Talent, emphasized this point, stating, “We’re proud to partner with an organization that not only values their experience but also creates pathways for them to continue serving others in meaningful ways.” By creating structured roles that honor military experience and provide clear opportunities for growth, companies can build a loyal, effective, and dedicated workforce.

This strategic alignment of talent acquisition with corporate mission demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of today's labor market. It’s an innovative approach that provides a stable, skilled workforce for ResCare, offers meaningful new missions for veterans and their families, and ultimately strengthens the fabric of community care for the individuals who depend on it most.