Inclusion Works rolls out standardized employment assessments and expands CIE liaison referrals

Inclusion Works officials on the community advisory committee webinar described a standardized, person-centered employment assessment now in use across participating provider sites and said results are routed to CIE (competitive integrated employment) liaisons to support referrals into EIPD-funded supported employment services.

"This standardized approach helps to ensure that every individual no matter where they receive services has access to a consistent person-centered process that supports informed choice about employment options," said Yolanda Perkins of Work Together NC, who outlined how on-site assessments are conducted, how consent is collected and how the assessment tools document individual preferences and barriers.

The assessment process uses two consented tools — one for the individual and one for family members or guardians and provider staff — and is designed to guide informed choice rather than to judge readiness for work, Perkins said. Assessments typically take 30 to 60 minutes and staff work with providers ahead of visits to confirm logistics and accommodations.

"Once we finish with the assessment...all that information then flows to CIE liaisons," Perkins said, noting the liaisons record which individuals are interested in pursuing CIE and reasons given by those who are not.

Adrienne Kittle, program specialist for intellectual and developmental disabilities at EIPD, described how referrals move from Work Together NC into weekly CIE liaison reviews, which assign a liaison who then coordinates with local EIPD counselors and tailored care managers to identify funding sources and gather eligibility documentation. "So to date, we've had about 56 people who've been referred...Of those, we think about 28 individuals have submitted the application to EIPD," Kittle said. She estimated about eight completed applications and said at least four people from that pool have reached individualized plans for employment and begun or are ready to begin supported employment services funded through EIPD.

Data reporting from Inclusion Works likewise shows steady assessment activity. Maya Glass, the program's data quality specialist, said the first dashboard measures will track the strategic-plan goals and highlighted that as of November 2025 Work Together/See completed 81 employment assessments, with 84% of assessed individuals indicating interest in pursuing CIE.

Participants raised operational concerns in the webinar Q&A about documentation and funding transitions. An anonymous attendee asked whether there remains a gap when an EIPD case closes and waiver-funded services begin. Kittle said EIPD is intended to be the initial primary funding source for supported employment and explained that EIPD funding "ends at stabilization," but the agency typically keeps the case open for at least 90 days to monitor the job and help avoid a coverage gap. She said staff are working with tailored care managers and local offices to coordinate timing and reduce interruptions in services.

The Inclusion Works team said the standardized assessments, CIE liaison reviews and planned public dashboard are intended to tighten referrals and increase continuity of supports so that more people who express interest in CIE move into funded employment planning and services. Staff encouraged providers and families to reach out with site-specific questions and to use the Inclusion Works website and forthcoming dashboard for updates.

Next steps included continued on-site assessments, tracking referral and application completions via the developing dashboard and ongoing coordination between CIE liaisons, EIPD counselors and tailored care managers to prevent funding gaps and support transitions into sustained employment.