National Core Indicator® (NCI-IDD) In-Person Survey: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the NCI-IDD In-Person Survey?
- The NCI-IDD Survey is a national survey to learn about and improve services for adults over the age of 18 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is used in 48 states.
Q: Why is the NCI survey important?
- Your Opinion Matters! The survey lets people share their experiences with the services they get. This helps improve programs based on real feedback. States use this information to make services better and compare results with other states.
Q: How was I chosen to participate?
- You are eligible to complete the survey if you are at least 18 years old and have been getting services for at least 3 months including Support Coordination. The state provides Qlarant with a list of people who are eligible to participate. A sample is randomly selected across the state.
Q: Who will contact me if I am chosen?
- A trained NCI Surveyor from Qlarant will call you before June 30th. They may email you from a Qlarant email account. The NCI Surveyor may have a phone number that is not from your state.
Q: Will the survey be done in person or remotely?
- The survey can be done face-to-face or by video conference. If you prefer one method over the other, let the surveyor know. If done by video conference, you will get a link to join the survey. You can join using a smartphone, laptop, iPad or tablet. You will want to make sure your camera and speakers work prior to the video conference.
Q: How long will the survey take?
- The survey takes about 45 to 60 minutes. You can skip any questions you don’t want to answer and stop the survey at any time.
Q: What will I be asked about during the survey?
- You will be asked about your quality of life, living situation, staff, choices, activities, work, health, safety, and the services you receive.
Q: Is my information safe?
- Yes, your information is kept safe and private. All responses are confidential. No one at the state, county, or provider agencies will know how you responded. The surveyor will enter your answers into a secure online application called “ODESSA.”
Q: Do I have to participate?
- No, the survey is voluntary. Saying no will not affect your services. If you don’t participate, someone else will be chosen.
Q: Can someone decline the survey for me?
- Only a court-appointed legal guardian can refuse participation for you. Staff and case managers cannot.
Q: Who can help me answer the questions if I need support?
- The NCI Surveyor prefers to conduct the survey directly with you. If you need additional support, a family member, friend, staff, or guardian who knows you well can help by using a proxy version of the survey.
Q: What if I use a communication device or am hearing impaired?
- Surveyors are trained to work with people who have different ways of communicating. Let the Surveyor know if you need any additional support in this area.
Q: What if I speak a different language than the surveyor?
- The survey can be done in different languages. Let the NCI Surveyor know if you need translation support.
Common Questions for Court Appointed Legal Guardians and Family Members
Q: Is this survey private?
- Yes, all responses are confidential. No one at the state, county, or provider agency will know how the participant responds.
Q: What can I do if the person I am a guardian for can’t fully participate in the survey?
- As a court appointed legal guardian, you can help answer some questions. If the person needs additional support, you can answer on their behalf using a proxy version of the survey. If you can’t be there, you can recommend someone else to help.
Q: Who is allowed to refuse participation on behalf of a participant?
- Only the participant or a court-appointed legal guardian can refuse. Service Coordinators and provider staff cannot refuse for someone else.
