Each year,  National Core Indicators (NCI) asks people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families to share their opinions, feedback, and personal experiences about the services they receive. They use mailed surveys and interviews to collect the information.

What are NCI Interviews?

Each year some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are selected to participate in face to face interviews. During the interviews people have an opportunity to share their opinions, feedback, and personal experiences about the services they receive. A family member, friend, or staff member who knows the person well, can answer or assist the person in answering the questions when needed.

What is the purpose of the interviews?

The purpose of the interviews is to be able to get information on what people’s experiences are like with the services they receive in their state. It gets important information on what is working well with services for people with I/DD, and what needs improvement. Questions are asked about many things, including: employment, choice and control, where someone lives, being involved in the community, and health and safety.

How are people contacted to participate in interviews?

Notification Letters were sent to individuals selected for participation mid-October. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has contracted with Vital Research (VR), an independent research organization based in California, to perform interviews for 2017-18 cycle. Vital Research Interviewers are based in Wisconsin. An interviewer from Vital Researcher will be calling individuals selected for the surveys to discuss the project and schedule an appointment to interview.

Important things to remember:

  • Participation is voluntary.
  • Your services and supports will not be affected one way or the other.
  •  All responses and information are confidential.
  • The face-to-face meeting takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

If you want to know what to expect during an interview watch this video: https://youtu.be/gfkUrshNQj8

If I have questions who do I contact?

• DHS- Michelle Osness, 608-266-3541, michellem.osness@dhs.wisconsin.gov

• For more information about Wisconsin NCI go to Vital Research website at: https://vitalresearch.com/wisconsin/nci/index.html.