Frequently Asked Questions

Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) is for everyone. CIE includes full-time and part-timework for an employer, as well as self-employment and small business ownership. CIE means working in the community alongside other employees without disabilities, earning at least minimum wage and getting the same workplace benefits and opportunities as other employees doing the same job.

All North Carolinians - even those with the most significant disabilities - can work in CIE with the right job supports in place. CIE does not include work in sheltered, nonintegrated settings, work that pays less than minimum wage, or work that does not offer advancement opportunities.

No.

There are lots of ways to explore, prepare for and get CIE in a job you like. You can get help from your local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) office. There are also new Supported Employment (SE) services available through Medicaid and state funded services or your LME/MCO. All these services can help you explore, prepare for and successfully achieve CIE in a job you like.

VR services and other state- and Medicaid-funded services help people achieve CIE in lots of different kinds of jobs, including self-employment. All these services can help you explore, prepare for and successfully achieve CIE in a job you like.

CIE helps people with I/DD connect with community resources and activities, build relationships with peers with and without disabilities, be more independent, active and self-confident, and develop skills in self-determination and self-advocacy. When
compared to other approaches, like group-based employment models or sheltered workshops, people with I/DD who participate in CIE earn more money, make more friends who are not staff or family, participate more in community activities, and are
more likely to be involved in making decisions for themselves.

Millions of people with disabilities, including people with individuals with I/DD, can and do find and maintain CIE in the general workforce. CIE can be achieved in traditional jobs with accommodations, employment supports, assistive technology and other services as needed. While there may be some people who have significant disabilities and severe health conditions that preclude employment, most people with disabilities can work in CIE. However, if that is not possible, other meaningful day options will be available.

For examples of how some North Carolinians with disabilities overcame barriers to achieve their goals for CIE, check out the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities One Workforce: Inclusive Employment series.

Supported Employment (SE) uses evidenced-based practices and ongoing support to help individuals with disabilities achieve and maintain CIE. In North Carolina, SE is a service for people who experience many barriers to success in CIE, including people
with I/DD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). SE usually includes Career Development and Planning Assessments, support finding and obtaining job opportunities and receive on the job skills training. Individuals in SE often have job coaches on site to help them learn job tasks, solve behavioral or social problems, and identify job modifications or tools that will help the individual be successful at work.

Customized Employment is a flexible process designed to personalize the employment relationship between a job candidate or employee and an employer in away that meets the needs of both. It is based on identifying the strengths, conditions, and interests of a job candidate or employee through a process of discovery.

Eligibility for benefits varies greatly depending on multiple factors. Information and resources are available to assist individuals and families in determining how CIE could impact their benefits.

The Department’s CIE I/DD Plan is subject to availability of funding. To the extent the Plan may not be fully funded by the General Assembly through state funds or any other available funding sources, the Department will work in consultation with DRNC and CPR to prioritize available funding to continued implementation of the most critical components of the Plan.

While network-specific questions should be directed to your LME/MCO, DHHS is committed to supporting service providers in the transition and will be providing trainings and technical assistance to support the transition to CIE services and other meaningful day options.

While specific network questions should be addressed with your LME/MCO, DHHS is committed to supporting service providers as they transition to the Department’s new service array.