What is the National Core Indicator (NCI) Program?
Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 4571 mandates the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to identify and implement a nationally validated quality assessment tool that enables DDS to monitor the performance of California's developmental disabilities service system and assess quality and performance among regional centers. The National Core Indicator (NCI) survey instrument was chosen as the quality assessment tool in 2009. NCI is a multi-state collaboration; Developmental disability agencies in forty-one states and the District of Columbia voluntarily participate in the NCI program.

DDS began annual implementation of the NCI survey in 2010 to collect quantitative data on consumer satisfaction, provision of services, and personal outcomes. The changes in the statute in fiscal year 2013/2014 directed DDS evaluate the linguistic and cultural competency of services through the Quality Assessment project. To this end, DDS added additional questions to the consumer survey in fiscal year 2014/2015.

The surveys are in-person interviews with adult consumers and a subgroup of individuals who have moved from developmental centers; and mail-in surveys of families, guardians of adult consumers in community settings, and families with children aged 3-18 receiving regional center services.

Adult Consumer Surveys being conducted now
The third California NCI Adult Consumer Surveys is currently being conducted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) in fiscal year 2014/2015. The survey questions ask people about life at home, at work, in the community; about friends, family, the people who deliver services; and about the person's rights, choices, health and safety. Click on the link to see a video and learn more about the NCI interview: What to Expect During an NCI Survey.

>> Go to the DDS web site page to learn more and to access survey reports