Project Spark helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find jobs in the community and provides support to help them succeed.

What is Project Spark?

Project Spark is a program that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities move from jobs that pay less than minimum wage into a community job, where they work alongside and earn the same as their non-disabled peers. Project Spark gives people with I/DD the services and supports they need so they can work at the kinds of jobs they want.

Project Spark was created by the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities to help people with I/DD explore, prepare for, get and keep a job in their community. Project Spark is paid for by a $13.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Getting Started

When you have a job in your community, you’ll earn more money, meet new friends and have an impact on your community. The Project Spark team will help you explore and prepare for work in your community. We’ll help you understand how working and earning income can impact the public benefits you receive, like Medicaid or Social Security. When you are ready, the Spark team will help you find jobs that you like and that you are good at. We’ll provide support after you are hired to make sure the job remains a good fit for you and the employer.

Next Steps

  1. Check the list of counties below to see if there is a Project Spark partner location near you.
  2. Call the phone number listed for the partner site near you and tell them you want to learn about Project Spark.

If you live outside of the counties listed above, EIPD can still help you achieve your goals for employment and more independent living. Find an EIPD office near you and tell them you want to apply for services.

Project Spark Partners

TCI Works
Contact: Kimberly Mast
Phone: 252-977-3800
Serving Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax Counties

TCI Works
Contact: Kimberly Mast
Phone: 252-977-3800
Serving Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax Counties

Chatham Trades
Contact: Jillian Stone
Phone: 919-663-3481
Serving Chatham, Orange, and Lee Counties

More Information

Project Spark Information Request
Project Spark Timeline and Activities
Stakeholder Engagement Advisory Group
Employer Partnerships

The contents of this webpage were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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