Get Started with CIE

Informed Choice

The first step towards working in the community is making the choice to pursue it. Everyone has a right to make decisions on where they work and how they spend their day. Informed Choice is the process of choosing from options based on accurate information, knowledge, and experiences.

Informed Choice is much more than a “Yes” or “No” question. The Informed Choice process can be started with your care provider or support staff. They will follow steps to ensure all factors have been discussed before deciding to pursue integrated community employment. For more information on Informed Choice process, view this guide.

DVR Services

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS or VR) helps North Carolinians with disabilities achieve their goals for CIE by providing the following services:

  • Career counseling
  • Employment assessments
  • Job training
  • Job placement assistance
  • Pre-employment transition services
  • Assistive technology
  • Other services based on an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

VR has local offices statewide, partnering with businesses to help employers recruit and retain talented candidates with disabilities throughout North Carolina. Contact your local VR office today to get access to these services. 

You must meet with DVR first before applying for Supported Employment services. DVR is the starting point to begin your journey to competitive integrated employment.

Supported Employment

Supported Employment (SE) is a service to help you find and maintain competitive integrated employment. 

New Supported Employment service options became available on 7/1/2023 with the launch of the 1915(i) State Plan Option. If you are Medicaid-eligible you may access these services, which include:

  • Pre-Employment Services – Learn new skills, try out jobs and activities, search and apply for jobs
  • Employment Stabilization – Hands-on job coaching, building relationships at work, building a plan to do your job without staff on site
  • Long-Term Support – Activities to help maintain success in your job

State-funded Supported Employment options are also available. Reach out to your Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization (LME/MCO) to determine what options are right for you.

DHHS works in collaboration with our internal and external partners to expand and promote CIE for people with disabilities. LME/MCOs, Tailored Care Managers, Provider Networks, Community Rehabilitation Programs, employers, and advisory councils all play a role in building the system of support for work in the community.

Benefits Counseling and the Path to Employment

It is common to hear myths about how working will impact your public benefits, like disability insurance and Medicaid. We want you to know that the Social Security Administration and the state of North Carolina made rules that allow you to try working without worrying about losing your benefits.

Benefits counselors can offer expert help based on your specific needs. Benefits counseling is free of charge, and the counselors will explain:

  • What benefits you receive
  • What incentives are available to help you go to work
  • How earned income impacts public benefits
  • Reporting requirements for each benefit
  • Resources available to help you save money

To learn more about how work and benefits go together, see our Benefits Counseling flyer and our Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities page. If you're a current or former vocational rehabilitation client, connect with your local office to find a benefits counselor. If you have not been a vocational rehabilitation client and want to explore work, call the Ticket-to-Work helpline: 1-866-968-7842 or (TTY) 1-866-833-2967.