North Carolina is expanding Project Spark, a program designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in finding competitive integrated employment (CIE). The initiative is extending to 10 additional locations across the state. CIE refers to community-based jobs where individuals with disabilities work alongside individuals without disabilities and receive at least minimum wage along with similar benefits.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the expansion as part of an effort to reduce employment barriers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In an official statement, NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said the expansion aims to increase access to employment opportunities and address longstanding obstacles. He noted that supporting programs like Project Spark benefits both individuals and the statewide workforce.
The initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration and is carried out by the NCDHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD). Project Spark currently operates in Siler City, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount. New locations planned through 2026 include Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, and others, with Wilmington becoming the first of the new sites to begin operations in October.
Statistics highlight a significant gap in employment opportunities for individuals with I/DD compared to those with other disabilities. “In 2023, 14% of individuals with I/DD worked in CIE nationwide, less than half of the 32% of individuals with other types of disabilities working in CIE,” according to NCDHHS. Unlike segregated employment settings that may offer below-minimum wages, CIE is intended to provide a more equitable and integrated work environment.
For more information about Project Spark, including eligibility and participation details, interested individuals can visit the program’s official website.
