The NCI surveys are a way for states to assess the quality of services available to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to measure how satisfied people are with the services provided. NCI uses survey questions to ask service recipients and their family or guardian what they think about the services they receive.

There are two NCI surveys that will be distributed separately, one for the service recipient (In-Person Survey) and one for the family member or legal guardian (Family Guardian Survey). The In-Person survey will be conducted by a trained interviewer (in-person or by Zoom remote video conferencing). The Family Guardian Survey will be mailed to the family member/guardian with the option to complete the mail-in form or the online survey.

Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) provided Vital Research a list of individuals who receive assistance and supportive services throughout the state.

An NCI Family Guardian Survey is mailed to the family or legal guardian of adults (18+) with intellectual or developmental disabilities who receive case management plus at least one additional service. The survey questions are answered by someone such as a parent or other family member/guardian, and responses are from the perspective of the family member or guardian.

The survey goes out to approximately 1,000 people who are randomly selected. The survey can be completed either via mail-in form or online.

The survey provides the opportunity to let the State of Delaware, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, identify areas where the system is working well and areas that need improvement.

No, participation is voluntary.

Yes, the survey is confidential. The answers to the Family Guardian Survey are collected anonymously, so no one can identify a single person with the survey answers. The answers provided by clients during the in-person or Zoom interviews will not be shared with any of the people who are responsible for your services or are paid to help you. You do not have to answer questions if you do not want to.

Only legal guardians can refuse to participate on behalf of a person. Support coordinators and staff members in group or residential care facilities cannot refuse on behalf of a person.

If a person is unable to communicate in any way, a legal guardian, family member, or friend can answer some questions for them.

As the legal guardian, you may be present during the interview and assist in answering some of the questions if needed. If an individual is unable or unwilling to respond, the interviewer will switch to a “proxy” version of the survey, which allows you to answer on behalf of the individual. If you are unable to be present during the interview and would like to recommend another person who can serve as a proxy if assistance is needed, please inform the interviewer during scheduling.

Interviewers are trained to conduct interviews with individuals with disabilities. Communication or other assistance that you might provide during the meeting is appreciated and can also be shared with the interviewer during scheduling.

Once answers are collected, the data are analyzed and shared in a report with DDDS. The results are used to make policy decisions in order to improve services.

The survey should take 30 – 45 minutes to complete.

Call the interviewer who contacted you or call the Vital Research Project Team at 888-909-3559 (toll-free).

There are 42 state developmental disability agencies, including the District of Columbia, who use the NCI surveys.

The survey will address areas important to you and the person receiving services.

If you are randomly selected to complete a survey, you will receive a letter in the mail with a URL to a website to complete the survey online. You will also receive a paper version of the survey that can be completed and mailed back (postage-paid).

The survey closed May 29, 2026.

Visit the National NCI webpage.