On November 1, 2019, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) engaged Cansler Collaborative Resources, Inc. (CCR) to review current NCCCS services and activities offered for individuals with an intellectual disability and other developmental disabilities (I/DD to determine ways NCCCS can increase enrollment and increase the number of students who secured competitive, sustainable employment after graduation. The strategic question to be answered is: ‘What should the NCCCS do to expand the employment opportunities of adults with I/DD securing sustainable employment with NC employers across the state?
The scope of work encompassed the following:

• Conduct an environment scan and literature review of vocational options, services and supports available, or which should be available, within the community setting. This scan will include conversations with I/DD specialists in the State’s LME-MCO Network, the Medicaid prepaid health plans, advocacy organizations, and others who may provide valuable insight into the needs and opportunities in serving this population across the State
• Conduct focus groups and solicit other input from individuals and their families with I/DD about vocational aspirations and needed supports. Focus groups or other input will include individuals with various types of disabilities within the I/DD spectrum including but not limited to those individuals with cerebral palsy, brain injury and autism spectrum disorders.
• Facilitate a System Mapping project in collaboration with the System Office and other state agencies to develop a greater understanding of the Community College System and its interactions with Vocational Rehabilitation, and Workforce Board programs, services, and resources.
• Review existing service offerings and compare to the information derived from the environmental scan, literature review, and focus groups to develop a gap analysis and recommendations for expanding support for the I/DD population within the Community College System to deal with the gaps identified.
• The gaps identified will, at a minimum, include; geographic location, types of vocational pathways offered, categories of students with disabilities served, staff training, recommended action steps for implementation and connections to other mainstream college offerings (such as the Small Business Centers).
• In addition, the recommendations will also include any steps needed to allow existing and future programs to use available State and Federal dollars more efficiently.
• Deliver a final report reflecting the findings and recommendations

The full Cansler Report can be found here.