The National Core Indicator (NCI) survey is the only nationwide survey process that directly asks people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) about their services and compares them throughout the United States. The initiative began in 1997. NCI is a joint initiative of the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS) that seeks to “collect and maintain valid and reliable data about the performance of public IDD systems and the outcomes experienced by participants in the system.” The data gathered can then be used to “improve long-term care policy and practice at the state and national level.” Each year the results of each state’s surveys are collected into an annual report. Forty-eight states are currently participating in this unique endeavor.
As a national project, NCI offers states the ability to compare their results to other states. The NCI website is easy to navigate so people with disabilities, families, and advocates can quickly compare their experiences with the results of people in other states. DDS shared their most recent results at the December Community and Provider Forum.
Quality Trust has partnered with DDS for the last three years to complete NCI surveys for DC. Our Quality Services Navigators are uniquely qualified to complete in-person interviews with hundreds of people each year. Doing these interviews also gives us more access to people in their home, further enhancing our ability to ensure people are living in adequate living arrangements with staff who know and support them as needed. In the very few instances where we have had concerns, we bring those concerns directly to our DDS partners and ensure they are addressed.
It’s important to get participation from a diverse group of people to make sure NCI data is representative of all the people who get services from DDA. Make sure to say “yes” to NCI participation at your annual ISP meeting. And make sure to respond when Quality Trust calls to set up an appointment. We want to include everyone’s perspectives and make sure DDA knows what’s going well and what can be improved. Reach out to your service coordinator to make sure you’re included on the list.
NCI has offered Quality Trust a meaningful opportunity to be in further service to people with IDD in the District of Columbia. With all the turmoil in our field since January of 2025, we have a heightened sense of our mission: To be a force for change in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families so they can succeed, thrive, and experience full membership in the community. If you would like to help us fulfill our mission, please donate now.