FAQ: Job Seekers with Disabilities

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about NCSI’s Employment Services for job seekers who have intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.

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How NCSI Can Help People Living with Disabilities Find Jobs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area

  • NCSI is located in the city of Roseville in Ramsey County, MN. Although most of the people we serve live in Ramsey County, we also serve people who live in Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, and Washington counties.

    Service Area for NCSI’s Employment Development Services

    NCSI’s Employment Development Services (“Plan” and “Find” phases) are not limited to people who live in Roseville or Ramsey County. These services can be provided at our location in Roseville, your home, a community location, or remotely.

    Service Area for NCSI’s Employment Support Services

    NCSI’s Employment Support Services (“Keep” phase) are provided to people who work in community jobs located within 15 miles of our site in Roseville, MN.

  • Minnesota has many resources for people with disabilities who would like to find a job at MinnesotaHelp.info. Select “Find a Job”.

    However, if you would like more customized, individualized, person-centered support, NCSI provides Employment Development services for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • We provide the “Prepare” and “Find” services within Employment Development. Learn more, or get started today.

    Plan

    We use the Discovering Personal Genius (DPG), or Discovery, process for the “Plan” part of the Employment Development service. Developed by Griffin-Hammis Associates, Inc., this is a structured method of revealing an individual’s existing or emerging skills, the tasks they perform or desire to learn, and their preferred conditions of employment (e.g., work schedule, job duties/tasks, pay, company culture). The DPG process identifies individual Vocational Themes that direct the career search and negotiation in companies where other workers share the same dominant Theme(s).

    Find

    Once a person has developed a plan of action during the Discovery/Plan phase, we can help the person find a job through these types of activities:

    • Helping the person polish their resume, fill out job applications, and learn how to have great job interviews

    • Making connections with employers, crafting jobs that fit the person's needs, and helping employers see how the person could meet their business needs

    • Supporting interest based negotiations between the job seeker and employer

    Please visit our Start Here page for more information on NCSI’s Employment Development Services.

  • Yes, in addition to Employment Development services we provide Employment Support services (otherwise known as the “Keep” service). Once a person has secured a job, we provide services that ensure people are supported, able to maintain, and be successful in competitive integrated employment. For more information on the types of “Keep” activities we offer, please visit our Keep Going page.

  • The Employment Services provided by NCSI are either paid for by Vocational Rehabilitation Services, one of the Waivers (Brain Injury, Community Access for Disability Inclusion, Community Alternative Care, Developmental Disabilities), or the County of Financial Responsibility, depending on the service and if the person has already worked with Vocational Rehabilitation Services (People with Disabilities (Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)) / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (mn.gov)).

  • No. With Minnesota’s policy of Employment First, NCSI intentionally gave up our “sheltered workshop certificate” and focuses on helping people find competitive, integrated employment in the community. Because of this commitment, people seeking NCSI’s services do not need to go through the Federal Government’s WIOA, Section 511 process.

  • Employment that pays a minimum wage or an industry standard, customary or prevailing wage with comparable benefits (e.g., health insurance, leave time) and offers an environment working with colleagues who don’t have disabilities.

  • Because our Employment Development process is a 1:1 service and a customized process, most people served by NCSI will get individual jobs. However, those who need more support may work on a small (2-3 person) job crew supported by the employer or a NCSI volunteer job coach.

  • Yes, if your funding sources allow and as authorized by your county case manager, you may participate in both services as long as they don’t occur at the same time.

  • No, services can also be provided at your home or a community location or provided remotely.

  • For information on making work part of your life plan, please visit Disability Hub MN.