Mapping Parent Support across North Carolina
Purpose
To document statewide and regional support opportunities for parents/guardians/caregivers of North Carolina children & youth. These opportunities provide support and guidance to families as they navigate the education, and related systems, that their children participate in.
Resources
We have focused on resources for families with children both with and without special needs, and have also included support resources for families with children of particular disabilities. Types of support included are: one-on-one parent support, groups, and other programs and services. Our understanding is that most of these resources are offered to the community at no cost.
Vision
To ensure that all families get connected locally with people or groups that can maintain parent support, and to continue to build parent power in our communities.
How to Use
The resources are broken down into Statewide and Regional resources, and we recommend looking in both sections. Within both Statewide & Regional, the resources are further broken down into “General Support” for all children, “General Special Needs” for children with special needs, and then specific resources for children with particular disabilities (Autism, ADHD, etc.). If there are no parent support resources in your region or county, look at the Statewide resources to determine if support can be found there.
Find your Region here:
Region 1
Cherokee
Clay
Graham
Haywood Jackson
Macon
Swain
Region 2
Buncombe Henderson Madison
Polk
Rutherford
Transylvania
Region 3
Alleghany
Ashe
Avery
Mitchell
Watauga
Wilkes
Yancey
Region 4
Alexander
Burke
Caldwell
Catawba
McDowell
Region 5
Cleveland
Gaston
Lincoln
Mecklenburg
Region 6
Davidson
Davie
Forsyth
Stokes
Surry
Yadkin
Region 7
Anson
Cabarrus
Harnett
Hoke
Iredell
Lee
Montgomery
Moore
Richmond
Rowan
Scotland
Stanly
Union
Region 8
Alamance
Caswell
Guilford
Randolph
Rockingham
Region 9
Chatham
Durham
Franklin
Granville
Orange
Person
Vance
Wake
Warren
Region 10
Bladen
Brunswick
Columbus
Cumberland Duplin
New Hanover
Pender
Robeson
Sampson
Region 11
Beaufort
Bertie
Carteret
Craven
Edgecombe
Greene
Halifax
Hyde
Johnston
Jones
Lenoir
Martin
Nash
Northampton
Onslow
Pamlico
Pitt
Wayne
Wilson
Region 12
Camden
Chowan
Currituck
Dare
Gates
Hertford
Pasquotank
Perquimans
Tyrrell
Washington
Statewide Parent Supports
General Support
NC Youth and Family Voices Amplified
Counties: Statewide
Description: NC Youth and Family Voices Amplified is a statewide program to support Youth and Family Peer Support by addressing the mental health of children, youth, and young adults in North Carolina.
- Services:
- In-person and on-line outreach to youth and families to promote mental health and access to services and support
- Recruitment of prospective new Family Partners and Youth Peer Support Providers
- Advocacy for youth and families to be at the table when decisions are made about systems and services that impact their lives
Eligibility: N/A
Contact:
Phone: 888-846-1066
Address: 1001 West Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, NC 2740
Advancement Project – Opportunity to Learn
Counties: Statewide
Description: Advancement Project’s Opportunity to Learn program supports grassroots movements that examine, expose and reform practices that lead to the criminalization of students and challenge the privatization of public education.
- Services: Action Camp: Training youth and parents on how to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by helping them to understand data and policies; communications; organizing and popular education; and direct actions and legal strategies
Eligibility: N/A
Contact: Tyler Whittenburg; Deputy Director of Opportunity to Learn TWhittenberg@advancementproject.org
Mapping the Movement for Racial Equity in Education MAP
Counties: Statewide
Description: The Flood Center for Education Equity and Opportunity made THIS MAP to map the statewide movement for Racial Equity in Education and Beyond. The goal for this mapping project is to help build a visible network of organizations engaged in this work across the state in order to highlight the efforts that are already underway, especially those that are centering and being led by communities of color.
Services: The goal of this map is to:
- Connect parents and students with community groups, advocates, and sources of support and elevate the voices of parents and students of color
- Help educators, schools, districts, and advocates engaged in racial equity work to identify similar efforts happening across the state and facilitate the sharing of resources, curriculum, strategies, best practices.
Eligibility: N/A
Contact: Click on the map to see the organizations in your area that are working for racial equity in the North Carolina schools
Family Partner Coordinators / Family Support Advocate in MCOs
Counties: Statewide
Description: Family Partners Coordinators, also called Family Support Advocates, are hired by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in order to support families as they navigate behavioral, medical, healthcare and other systems. MCOs manage the care of NC Medicaid beneficiaries who receive services for mental/behavioral health or developmental disabilities. If a child has Medicaid and is involved in multiple interlapping systems and the family needs support to manage the care of their child, these advocates are well-positioned to assist. They are knowledgeable about the resources available in each particular region they oversee.
Services:
- Provides support to families, access to information and referral to community resources
Eligibility: Children who have Medicaid
Contact: You can contact the Member Services Line of your MCO (Map of MCOs in NC), or the Systems of Care Coordinator in your LME/MCO on this map, to learn more about the program and who the family partners are in your region. Below are the family partners/support advocates as of 2/23.
- Alliance Family Partners
- Call member services to be connected to the most recent and nearby Family Partners, 800-510-9132
- Family Partner Coordinator – Kamu Mimy, 984-287-0343, Kmimy@Alliancehealthplan.org
- Sandhills Family Support Advocates
- Anson, Moore, and Richmond counties: Amy Locklear, 910-331-3359, alocklear@ncfamiliesunited.org
- Montgomery, Randolph, and Davidson counties: Charmaine Ford, 336-870-3802, cford@ncfamiliesunited.org
- Lee, Hoke, and Harnett counties: Toya Hooper, 910-985-0126, thooper@ncfamiliesunited.org
- Guilford and Rockingham counties: Aquilla Brockington, 919-906-7103, abrockington@ncfamiliesunited.org
- Eastpointe
- Family Partner Coordinator/Supervisor- Sonia Hopkins, 910 284 5349, shopkins@eastpointe.net
- Member Services: 1-800-913-6109
- Partners
- Member Services: 1-877-864-1454, questions@partnersbhm.org
- Trillium
- Member Services: 1-877-685-2415
- Vaya Family Partners
- To request Family Partner Support, contact your care manager or call Vaya’s Member and Recipient Services Line at 1-800-962-9003
Resilient NC – Map of Community-based Orgs Building Resilience Across NC
Description: Resilient North Carolina strives to be a means to share best practices and connect the individuals and organizations working on creating a state where everyone can thrive. As much as possible, the resources shared will be created by and for residents of North Carolina and be healing centered – focused on healing through the strengths of its members. There will be a focus on lifting the voices of community members and those with lived experiences of trauma and adversity. Finally, this initiative is grounded in racial equity – recognizing that racial inequities are at the root of much of the trauma that lives in the bodies of North Carolinians.
Services:
- Provides information about and resources for realizing, recognizing, responding, and resisting trauma
- Has online interactive map that connects you to resources and organizations in your county
- Monthly Peer Connections meetings to connect with professionals and community members from across the state who are working to build resilience or a monthly virtual gathering.
- Live interpretation in Spanish is available
- Meetings happen on the third Wednesday of every month from Noon – 1:30.
- To receive an invitation to this and our monthly newsletter, send an email to mboyd@smartstart.org
Eligibility: N/A
Contact: View the interactive map here. Sign up for Monthly Peer Connections meetings by emailing mboyd@smartstart.org.
Counties: Statewide
Description: Systems of Care Coordination is a comprehensive network of community-based services and supports organized to meet the needs of families who are involved with multiple child service systems, such as child welfare, mental health, schools, juvenile justice and health care. Systems of Care Coordinators oversee system coordination for a region and provide a forum for collaboration, support, and action among families, agencies, and community partners to improve outcomes for all children and families.
Services:
- System of Care Coordinators can provide support, guidance or consult for organizations working with families, or families who are involved in multiple child service agencies to improve coordination of care
- Some Systems of Care Coordinators work with Family Partner Coordinators hired by the MCO in your region to support parents navigating systems, and can provide referrals to them
- Interagency collaboration & community-based services
Eligibility: All
Contact: Check this MAP to see the contact information for the Systems of Care Coordinator (SOCC) in each county
Counties: Statewide
Description: Foster Family Alliance of NC provides direct and sustained support for foster parents across NC. The organization is staffed by foster parents who know how to navigate the system first-hand. Some of the organization’s activities are working on foster parent reform, supporting foster parents in building relationships with public and private organizations, and increasing access to information.
Services:
- Support with foster parents in supporting their children and navigating systems.
- Advocates4Kids: Helps parents make sure a child’s special needs are met by helping parents understand available services, interpret test results and work with schools to plan individualized education programs (IEPs).
- Events, trainings, and webinars regarding trauma and educational accessibility.
Eligibility: Parents/guardians of children in the NC Foster Care System
Contact: Phone: 800-578-7770; Email: info@ffa-nc.org
The Education & Law Project at NC Justice Center
Counties: Located in Wake, works statewide
Description: The Education & Law Project works to organize and inform parent groups, community leaders, and advocates on policy issues that influence the quality of local public schools. They offer workshops, community conversation facilitation, and policy presentations. All trainings can be adapted to serve the needs of particular audiences and address local contexts. They also collaborate with local communities to provide intensive Policy Academy trainings for advocates.
Services: Some training topics have included: Funding for Public Education; Understanding Community and School Based Supports; Supporting our Newcomer/ELL/Immigrant students
Eligibility: Anyone interested in NC educational reform and transformation, and wanting trainings about organizing for education reform
Contact: Sarah Montgomery, SarahM@ncjustice.org; (919) 856-3194
General Special Needs
Access Family Support Information Center
Counties: Statewide
Description: Access Family Support Health Information Center is a collaboration between the Family Resource Center South Atlantic and Family Support Network of North Carolina. Access Family Support Health Information Center connects families living in North Carolina to resources, support, and training to promote optimal health with a focus on families of color, families of children and youth with special needs, and/or health care needs.
Services:
- Families of children with special needs and/or health care needs can receive support around navigating systems and acquiring skills and resources from other families who have had to do the same
- Annually updated Summer Camp Directory for children with special needs
Eligibility: Families of children and youth with special needs and/or health care needs
Contact: For more information on all the services provided to families through Access Family Support Health Information Center, contact the office at (919) 834-9300 or 1-800-852-0042; email fsp.cdr@unc.edu. You can also make a referral for a family here.
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center
Counties: Statewide
Description: Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center helps parents navigate the special education system, know their rights, and use their voice. They provide information, support, training, and resources to assist families caring for children with special needs from birth to age 26. They also provide support to young adults with disabilities in becoming self-advocates and leaders.
Services:
- Education, Resource Advocacy, and Parent Information Center for children with special needs
- Parent Educator Program: Parent Educators are experienced family members of children with special needs that work with parents to navigate special education including but not limited to:
- Talk with family to figure out what options are available to best support their child’s education & offer specialized information, support, training, and community resources
- Consult for IEP process, MDRs, comp ed, understanding interventions, and occasionally attending IEP meetings (mostly for those with literacy & language issues).
Eligibility: Any NC student or parent of a student with disability from birth through age 26
Contact: For parents to self-refer, they can call (800) 962-6817 or fill out this online form. There are two native Spanish speakers on staff that can work with Spanish-speaking parents.
Family Support Network (FSN NC)
Counties: Statewide (Has Regional Centers for Each County)
Description: The Family Support Network of NC provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. FSNNC can match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, provide information, access to resources, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, and one-on-one assistance.
Services: Resource navigation, resource information, and emotional support for families of children with disabilities.
All FSN Regional Affiliates offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Eligibility: Parent of child who was born with, or “at risk” for, a developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; who are in a foster care system.
Contact: Find your local FSNNC Office here. To contact a Resource Specialist, please call 1-800-852-0042. Or, click here to fill out a contact form.
Grupo Poder Y Esperanza
Counties: Statewide (online meetings)
Description: Grupo Poder y Esperanza ensures that families, children & youth of the Hispanic/Latino communities across North Carolina have ongoing access to responsive training, resources and supports to meet their family’s needs
Services:
- A support group where parents can express themselves freely while learning from the experiences of other parents and experts.
- Providing advocacy and support from other families and/or community partners.
- Sharing information about various medical conditions such as: Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Mental Health Condition (MH), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Substance Use (SUB).
- Identifying the challenges/barriers and needs that families face accessing services and support, seeking viable solutions through existing supports within the community.
Eligibility: Hispanic/Latino parent of a child, especially a child with a disability.
Contact: To learn more about Grupo Poder Y Esperanza or if you have questions contact Jessica Aguilar, Program Director at 704.726.3156, at Grupopoderyesperanza@gmail.com, or through social media.
NCDHHS Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)
Counties: Statewide.
Description: NCDHHS CYSHCN’s web resources provides information for families and/or caregivers of children and youth with special health care needs who have a new diagnosis and/or have concerns or questions about their child’s development. Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions and need health-related services beyond those generally required by children.
Services: The North Carolina Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Help Line offers a toll-free helpline for parents/caregivers of and professionals who work with Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). This is a free information and referral source for caregivers of and professionals who work with children and youth who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions, needing health services beyond the care that a child typically needs.
Offers support on a range of topics such as:
- Services available under government and community programs;
- Resources to help pay for medications, equipment/supplies or adaptive devices.
- Available health care and dental providers;
- Information on how to find services when relocating to and within North Carolina.
- Health care transitions, guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.
Eligibility: Parents/caregivers of and professionals who work with Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Contact: Helpline: 1-800-737-3028 or Email: CYSHCN.Helpline@dhhs.nc.gov
NC Department of Public Instruction – Special Education Parent Advisory Councils
Counties: Alamance-Burlington, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Cumberland, Durham, Gaston, New Hanover, Union, Wake.
Description: A local Special Education Parent Advisory Council is a district-level, parent-driven group that provides input to the local school district on system-level challenges in special education and related services. There are many names for these groups throughout the state, but the purpose is the same- to advise, advocate, and offer guidance to the district.
Services: Special Education Parent Advisory Councils promote communication, create opportunities for families to better understand the school system and special education policies, and create a positive working relationship so that all students can be valued, respected and contributing members of their school and community.
Eligibility: Any parent from the counties listed above who is concerned about special education and related services in their school district.
Contact: Local contacts listed at each local website listed here.
Counties: Statewide; For some services, Counties: Anson, Davidson, Eastern NC, Harnett, Guilford, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham
Description: NC Families United is a family-run organization created by dedicated parents to create policy change in schools and communities, that will support children and community members who struggle with emotional and behavioral issues. NC Families United provides family support and advocacy, in addition to opportunities for youth mentorship and leadership development.
Services:
- Family Partners/ Support Staff in particular regions provide local support and advocacy to families
- Mentoring services (RENEW) for youth (ages 14-26) that may be struggling with mental health diagnosis or trauma-based experiences. Eligible youth might include those who have mental health issues, broken family ties, have been suspended or dropped out of school, have a history of drug abuse, etc.
- Links families to State and community partners for the purpose of improving the lives of children, youth, and families with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs.
Eligibility: ALL, and some specific programs geared towards youth with emotional/behavioral struggles
Contact:
- Currently there are Family Partners for the following counties: Anson, Davidson, Eastern NC, Harnett, Guilford, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham
- Main office: (980)-349-5333
- For referrals, contact the Director of Programs, Dr. Angela Thorpe- Moss, amoss@ncfamiliesunited.org, or 980-771-2173
North Carolina Navigating Care
Counties: Statewide
Description: North Carolina Navigating Care is an easy-to-use online tool to find information and services for families with questions about their young children’s growth and development. The guide presents questions to the user that lead to online resources, tip sheets, and videos – about child development and services in NC for children with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. Click here for a one-pager of this tool.
Services: Resource guides are split into life domains. Life domains are the different aspects and experiences of life that we all consider as we age and grow. These life domains include:
- Daily Life & Employment- What a person does as part of everyday life–school, employment, volunteering, communication, routines, life skills.
- Community Living- Where and how someone lives – housing and living options, community access, transportation, home adaptations and modifications.
- Healthy Living- Managing and accessing health care and staying well – medical, mental health, behavioral health, developmental, wellness and nutrition.
- Safety & Security- Staying safe and secure – emergencies, well-being, guardianship options, legal rights and issues.
- Social & Spirituality- Building friendships and relationships, leisure activities, personal networks, and faith community.
- Advocacy & Engagement- Building valued roles, making choices, setting goals, assuming responsibility and driving how one’s own life is lived.
Eligibility: Anyone can access their online questions and content
Contact: Find local resources for your child on their website
ADHD
CHADD Triangle Area (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Counties: Central NC, but also Statewide
Description: CHADD’s local support group offers programming and information for families of children with AD/HD specific to their geographic area. These groups provide advocacy, support, networking and information to those affected by AD/HD in their communities.
Services: Networking, social opportunities and family support through their Facebook group.
Eligibility: Families of children with AD/HD
Contact: Email- support@trianglechadd.com; Phone- 919.229.9233
Counties: Statewide (located in Durham but clients can travel to receive services)
Description: The Duke ADHD Clinic offers comprehensive assessments and evidence-based treatments for children, adolescents, and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They also support families more holistically with access to social workers who can support families of children with ADHD to navigate education systems.
Services:
- ADHD Learning Center
- Individual and family therapy & Therapy groups
- Medication management and consultation
- School consultations
Eligibility: Contact your insurance to make sure Duke AHDH Clinic is covered
Contact: Appointment Line – 919-681-9185
Autism
Autism Society of North Carolina
Counties: Statewide
Description: Autism Society of NC helps families connect with resources, find services, and resolve school issues. They also provide guidance on lifelong issues including employment, residential options, and planning for children’s needs beyond parents’ lives.
Programs:
- Autism Resource Specialists in local regions
- Provide guidance to navigate early intervention, school, community, or adult services, and provide connections to local resources
- Specialists are all parents of children with autism
- Chapters/support groups to meet other local families facing similar challenges to share experiences.
Eligibility: People with ASD (and their families) from birth through adulthood.
Contact:
- Check on the Interactive Map for the Resource Specialist associated with each county
- Headquarters: 800-442-2762
- Mariela Maldonado (statewide Hispanic Affairs Liaison); mmaldonado@autismsociety-nc.org; 919-865-5066
Counties: Statewide
Description: Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. They do this through advocacy & support and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Programs:
- Autism Response Team: Information line for the autism community. Team members are specially trained to provide personalized information and resources to people with autism and their families
Eligibility: Families that have children with Autism
Contact:
- Call 1-888-288-4762 – Available Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm
- Email help@autismspeak.org
- Live chat available between 9am-7pm
Counties: Statewide (Has Regional Centers for Each County)
Description: TEACCH Autism Program is a university-based system of community regional centers that offers services to meet the clinical, training, and research needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina. They provide screening and evaluation services, parent support and education, intervention services, professional consultation and training, along with other related resources.
Services: TEACCH Autism Program provides clinical services such as initial referral and consultation, diagnostic evaluations, family consultation sessions, parent support groups, social play and recreation groups, individual counseling for higher-functioning clients, and employment services. TEACCH also provides education and training such as workshops for parents, teachers, and other professionals focusing on characteristics of autism and intervention strategies. TEACCH offers consultation services to programs such as schools or residential communities serving individuals with autism.
- Black Families and Providers Accessing Services Together (BFAST) – This website and toolkit was created to provide easily accessible, culturally sensitive, and personally tailored information to allow successful connection to early intervention services for Black autistic children across NC.
Eligibility: Individuals who are seeking diagnostic testing must complete the referral process and forms. There are separate referral processes by each regional center and forms for children aged 17 and under and adults 18 and over. To complete the referral process, you must have a professional referral completed by a qualified professional.
Contact: For general information about the TEACCH Program, please contact us at (919) 966-2174 or email us at TEACCH@unc.edu. To learn more about your TEACCH regional center, click here to see which regional center your county falls under.
- For the Asheville Center:
- Phone: 919-445-7020; Fax: 919-445-2352; Email: TEACCH_Asheville@med.unc.edu
- For the Charlotte Center:
- Phone: 919-445-2365; Fax: 919-445-2353; Email: TEACCH_Charlotte@med.unc.edu
- For the Greensboro Center:
- Phone: 919-966-1000; Fax: 336-334-5811; Email: bailey_coe@med.unc.edu
- For the Chapel Hill Center:
- Phone: 919-966-5156; Fax: 919-966-4003; Email: TEACCH_ChapelHill@med.unc.edu
- For the Raleigh Center:
- Phone: 919-445-5800 Fax: 919-445-5799; Email: Ricki_head@med.unc.edu
- For the Greenville Center:
- Phone: 919-966-0211; Fax: 919-445-2356; Email: katie_fox@med.unc.edu
- For the Wilmington Center:
- Phone: 919-445-0680; Fax: 919-445-0691; Email: bonnie_ravo@med.unc.edu
Counties: Statewide (Clinic located in Durham but clients can travel to access services)
Description: The Duke Autism Clinic provides comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment, ongoing behavioral and medication consultation for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. They offer holistic services to families and have social workers on staff who can advise on the educational needs of children.
Services:
- Autism assessment, diagnosis & medication consultation
- Ongoing behavioral consultation
Eligibility: Contact insurance to make sure Duke Autism Clinic is covered
Contact: Appointment Line – 919-681-7148
Emotional, Behavioral & Mental Health
North Carolina Alliance of Mental Illness NC (NAMI)
Counties: Statewide
Description: NAMI NC serves residents across North Carolina with support groups, helplines, resources, and education for families and individuals affected by mental health needs and/or mental illness.
Services:
- Support groups for people with mental health conditions and families of those with mental health conditions
- Free education programs for parents and family caregivers of children and teens who are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness OR who have already been diagnosed.
- Resources to find local mental health providers
- Helpline for support, questions and referrals to community resources
Eligibility: Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or has already been diagnosed; any parent, family member, or loved one of someone who has a mental health condition and/or illness and would like more supports or education
Contact:
- For general inquiries, phone: 919-788-0801, call or text
- Helpline: 800-451-9682; Text 919-999-6527; Email helpline@naminc.org (Mon.-Fri. 8:30am – 5:00pm)
- Click here to find your local NAMI affiliate
- Submit a question on this contact page.
IDD
Guide to Accessing IDD Services in NC by NCDHHS
Counties: Statewide
Description: First in Families of NC is a grassroots family support initiative founded by families looking for new ways to provide and receive support. They offer support to families and individuals in which one family member has a developmental disability or delay. Assistance is provided according to people’s self-defined needs so that they can live and participate fully in their communities. This could include assistance in accessing vocational, social, and educational opportunities in the community; or in accessing other material needs such as home modifications, household items, childcare or respite.
Services:
- Building community support around individuals or families with a member with a disability
- Exploring alternatives to Guardianship for families and people with disabilities
Eligibility: Families in which one family member has a developmental disability or delay, or is at risk of the same, or has a traumatic brain injury. The family must live in a county served by the Chapter and must meet financial eligibility requirements.
Contact: They have 14 regional offices across the state; list of FIF chapters and contact information. Main Office in Durham: 919-251-8368; info@fifnc.org
Counties: Statewide
Description: The Arc of North Carolina is a state chapter of The Arc of the United States which provides services, resources, and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Services:
- Care management to help coordinate one’s medical and behavioral health needs and community-based services.
- Community Navigators/Resource Advocates provide advocacy and education, assistance with developing plans, and help link people to services they need in the community
- Housing Resource Coordinators provide assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in locating housing that meets their needs
Eligibility: Individuals with intellectual and development disabilities and their families.
Contact: Phone: 919-782-4632; Headquarters: 353 E Six Forks Rd. Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27609. Click here to find your local chapter.
Counties: Statewide
Description: Easter Seals UCP creates opportunities, promotes individual choice, and changes the lives of people with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) by maximizing their individual potential to live, learn, and work in their communities.
Services: Easter Seals UCP offers a wide variety of services across multiple service categories to help children, adults and families living IDD and mental health challenges live their best possible life, such as:
- Autism + ABA Services
- Camp Recreation for Adults & Youth
- Cerebral Palsy Services
- Child Development
- Employment Services
- Foster Care Services
- Individual + Community Services
- Adult & Child Mental Health Services
- Residential Services
- Technology + Resources
Eligibility: Individuals with an I/D disability and their families
Contact: Phone: (800) 662-7119; Fax: (919) 782-5486; Email: info@eastersealsucp.com; Address: 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 211, Raleigh, NC 27612. Click here to fill out a contact form.
Counties: Statewide
Description: Community Bridges’s mission is to advance person-centered, outcome-based policies and practices by engaging individuals, providers, state systems, and other stakeholders through advocacy, policy, and technical assistance to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities.
Services:
- Self-Advocacy Training
- Workshops and resources for developing self-advocacy skills in individuals with I/DD
- Peer-to-peer support and mentorship programs
- Family & Caregiver Advocacy
- Education and empowerment training on rights, resources, and opportunities
- Caregiver training to become effective advocates
- Personalized training and strategy consultation for individuals with I/DD and their families
- Training for people with IDD to become peer mentors
Eligibility: N/A
Contact: Email: info@cb-cg.com Phone: 800-214-1633. Fill out the contact form here.
Counties: Statewide
Description: North Carolina Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (NC START) is a statewide community crisis prevention and intervention program for individuals age six and above with intellectual/developmental disability and co-occurring complex behavioral and/or mental health needs. START crisis prevention and intervention services are provided through clinical systemic consultation, training, education, therapeutic respite, crisis response and therapeutic coaching. The model works to improve the lives of the individuals served and their families by providing services and supports using a person-centered, positive, multidisciplinary, cost-effective, systemic, and evidence-informed approach.
Services:
- NC START Coordinator
- Resource Center crisis and planned respite (Respite is provided to active NC START members only, age 18 and up)
- ConsultationTraining and outreach
- Therapeutic Coaching (adult and child)
Eligibility: NC START is intended to be a short-term service, lasting from 12 to 18 months depending on support needs of the individual. NC START services are available to individuals meeting the following criteria:
- Documented IDD or TBI diagnosis prior to age 22
- Co-occurring Mental health diagnosis and/or complex behavioral needs
NC START does not serve individuals with an active substance use disorder.
Contact:
- NC START West Asheville Kannapolis/Concord: 888-974-2937; Referrals: 888-974-2937
- NC START Central Durham: 919-865-8730, 800-662-7119 x8730; Referrals: 919-865-8730
- NC START East New Bern Wilmington: 888-962-3782; Referrals: 888-962-3782
The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
Counties: Statewide
Description: The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities specializes in serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who may have co-existing behavioral, mental health, or medical health needs. These services may include evaluations, consultation with staff specialists, referrals to other medical or behavioral specialists, or participation in family-centered group opportunities.
Services: Clinical services are designed to provide diagnostic clarification, consultation, as well as intervention and treatment planning for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Their evaluation services may include appointments with individual clinicians or an interdisciplinary team representing two or more of the following professional disciplines: Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Audiology, Social Work, and Special Education. Click here to learn more about the types of specific clinics offered.
Eligibility: Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who may have co-existing behavioral, mental health, or medical health needs.
Contact: To request an appointment, follow these instructions; contact the intake team at CIDDIntake@cidd.unc.edu.
Counties: Statewide
Description: Down Syndrome Networks offer support to families who have children with Down Syndrome.
Services: There are three regional offices across North Carolina that provide the following services:
- Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte
- Virtual Programming: Live and pre-recorded learning opportunities for all ages. Parent/Guardian Webinars & Workshops
- Support for parents who just determined they are having a child with Down syndrome through one-one support and group social programs
- Summer camps & Social programs
- Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network
- Support for individuals with Down syndrome of all ages
- Triangle Down Syndrome Alliance
- Support for parents who just determined they are having a child with Down syndrome through one-one support and group social programs
- Prenatal Program: Provides a Parent Mentor to parents who just got a Down syndrome diagnosis
- The Learning Program: 10-month program that uses effective research-based teaching strategies and customized materials to support families of children with Down syndrome
Eligibility: Family of a child with Down syndrome
Contact:
- Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, 704-536-2163
- (Cabarrus, Iredell, Rowan, Gaston, Lincoln, Union, Mecklenburg, Chester, Lancaster, York)
- Piedmont Down Syndrome Support Network, 336-739-3696, info@dsagwa.org
- (Forsyth, Davidson, Stokes, Davie, Yadkin)
- Triangle Down Syndrome Alliance, 984-200-1193
- (Wake, Durham, Orange)
Learning Disability
Counties: Statewide
Description: Literacy Moms is a community of parents of children with learning disabilities who engage in advocacy on behalf of children with learning disabilities. They support parents who want to file complaints against school districts and have filed many state complaints against the Department of Public Instruction for not addressing the needs of children with learning disabilities in schools.
Services: The group has a Facebook page and posts various events and programs that foster SLD’s literacy and inform parents on special education rights. The two founders of the group assist some parents in filing State Complaints.
Eligibility: Any parent in NC with a child who has dyslexia or other learning disability.
Contact:
- You can connect with Literacy Moms via their Facebook or Twitter.
- Read this article by one of the co-founders
LGBTQ+
Counties: Statewide
Description: PFLAG is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
Services: PFLAG provides peer-to-peer support through in-person and virtual meetings, online outreach, and a variety of additional resources and programs. There are resources and opportunities both through the national PLAG office and website, and local chapters. Find your local PFLAG North Carolina chapters for virtual meetings and to help connect you with additional local resources.
Eligibility: Anyone wanting support and resources for themselves or LGBTQ+ loved ones
Contact: View the PFLAG map for local chapter contact information.
- PFLAG Alamance
- PFLAG Apex
- PFLAG Asheville
- PFLAG Charolette
- PFLAG Concord/Kannapolis- (704) 794-7905, info@ckpflag.org
- PFLAG Fayetteville- pflagfayetteville@gmail.com
- PFLAG Flat Rock/Hendersonville- 828-702-6516, pflaghendersonville@gmail.com
- PFLAG Greensboro
- PFLAG Greenville
- PFLAG Hickory
- PFLAG Lexington
- PFLAG Raleigh/Durham/Triangle
- PFLAG Salisbury/Rowan
- PFLAG Southern Pines- pflagsouthernpines@gmail.com
- PFLAG Statesville- pflagstatesville@gmail.com
- PFLAG Wilmington/ Cape Fear- pflagwilmingtonnc@gmail.com
- PFLAG Winston-Salem
Counties: Statewide (with office in Charolette)
Description: Time Out Youth provides a unique set of programs and services designed to provide a safe environment for LGBTQ youth and their allies by fostering interaction, learning, and affirmation; build our youth’s self-concept to its fullest potential through uniquely targeted programming; and offer diverse opportunities for group activities.
Services: Time Out Youth provides a variety of programs and services including:
- Weekly Peer Support & Identity-Based Discussion Groups
- Individual, Family, and Couples Counseling &Substance Abuse Counseling
- Group, Music, Art, & Pet Therapy
- Online Groups through Discord & Q Chat
- Drop-in Space
- Emergency Financial Assistance, Housing Case Management Services
- Social Activities: Prom, Dances, Prides
- Arts Programs, LGBTQ Library, Cyber Center
- Gay-Straight Alliance Support
- Individual Consultations for educators & parents
Eligibility: Anyone wanting support and resources for themselves or their LGBTQ+ youth loved ones
Contact: info@timeoutyouth.org; 704-344-8335
Medically Fragile/Special Healthcare Needs
Advocates for Medically Fragile Kids NC
Counties: Statewide
Description: Advocates for Medically Fragile Kids NC is an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and needs of medically fragile children and their families. Volunteers work with legislators, senators and the NC Department of Health and Human Services to ensure they are fully educated on the hardships and impact of having a medically fragile child.
Services:
- Providing guidance around community support for medically fragile children
Eligibility: Parent of child who is medically fragile
Contact: Email: advocatesforfragilekidsnc@gmail.com; Facebook Page
Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center – Active Child Care Health Consultants
Counties: Statewide
Description: Child Care Health Consultants (CCHCs) are trained health professionals with education and experience in both child and community health and early care and education. CCHCs work with early care and education programs to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate strategies to achieve high quality, safe and healthy childcare environments.
Services:
- Assess the environments for health and safety in childcare programs
- Develop strategies for inclusion of children with special health care needs
- Connect early educators and families to community health resources
- Provide up-to-date information on regulations and best practices to early educators
Eligibility: Parent of child who is medically fragile
Contact: Phone number: 1-800-367-2229; Email: advocatesforfragilekidsnc@gmail.com
Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP-C)
Counties: Statewide
Description: CAP/C is a statewide waiver program that you can access through your MCO. It provides a cost-effective alternative to institutionalization for a Medicaid beneficiary who is medically fragile and at risk for institutionalization and in need of home- and community-based services. Services allow the beneficiary to remain in or return to a home and community-based setting.
Services: Referrals to a local program that manage CAP/C care and support accessing:
- Care advisor/care management
- Assistive technology, Specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Home aide & Respite care
- Training & education
- Home accessibility
- Community transition & financial services
Eligibility:
- Medically fragile and medically complex children who are age 0 through 20 years of age
- Require a level of institutional care under the NC Medicaid State Plan
- Need at least one or more CAP/C home- and community-based services based on a reasonable indication of need assessment that must be coordinated by a CAP/C case manager
Contact: Referral made by calling 919-855-4340. Click here for more information on the CAP/C referral process.
Region 1 Parent Supports
Counties: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain
General Special Needs
Family Support Network of Region A (FSNRA) – Region A Partnership for Children
Counties: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain.
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, provide information, access to resources, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
- Jackson County:
- FSN Caregiver Connections for Jackson/Swain/Qualla Autism Chapter:
- 1st Tuesday of each month in Bryson City
- FSN Caregiver Connections for Jackson/Swain/Qualla Autism Chapter:
- Jackson Caregiver Connections:
- 2nd Thursday of each month in Sylva
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system. Services are for children aged pre-natal to 5 years old.
Contact: Phone: (828) 631-3900 Ext: 126 (CDSA office); Email: jmiller@rapc.org
Region 2 Parent Supports
Counties: Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Polk Rutherford, Transylvania
General Special Needs
General Special Needs
Family Support Network of Western NC
Counties: Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Polk Rutherford, Transylvania
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; who are in a foster care system.
Contact: Jessica Edwards, Jessica.edwards1@hcahealthcare.com, (828) 775-4969
Counties: Buncombe, Haywood & Henderson Counties
Description: First Resource Center provides community navigators who can help locate and access community resources, and develop relationships that promote community inclusion and support the individual and family in implementing their person-centered plan. Many of the staff members at FIRST are parents of children with special needs or disabilities. Team members are trained in special education law and procedures, community support and resources, specific mental and developmental disabilities, and associated issues.
Programs:
- Community Parent Resource Center
- Information about the special education process and parents’ rights. Staff can also attend IEP meetings, but this service is limited due to funding and schedules.
- Inclusion resources that show how students can be successfully included in general education classrooms
- Community and online trainings
- Assist the family with problem-solving strategies and direct callers to other community resources by telephone
- Referral to medical, educational, community services, and support groups
Eligibility: Any parent in Buncombe, Haywood, or Henderson counties whose child has special needs or disabilities
Contact:
- Email info@firstwnc.org, or call for a personal appointment (828-277-1315)
- Community Parent Resource Center Director, Janet Price-Ferrell, janet@firstwnc.org;
- Parent Educator, Amanda Berry, amanda@firstwnc.org;
- Parent Group Facilitator and Latinx Outreach, Amy Moose, amy@firstwnc.org
Region 3 Parent Supports
Counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey
General Special Needs
Parent 2 Parent Family Support Network
Counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey
Description: Parent 2 Parent Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Phone: (828) 262-6089; Email: hayeskl@appstate.edu
Region 4 Parent Supports
Counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell
General Special Needs
Family Support Network HOPE (FSN H)
Counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Phone: (828) 256-5202; Email: Vickifsnhope@gmail.com
Region 5 Parent Supports
Counties: Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg
General Special Needs
Family Support Network Of Trusted Parents (FSN TP)
Counties: Mecklenburg
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
- Parent Focus Group: 4th Thursday every month
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contact: Phone: (980) 229-723; Email: Nikia Bye, Nikiafsntp@trustedparents.org
Emotional, Behavioral & Mental Health
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
Counties: Mecklenburg & Cabarrus
Description: Mental Health America of Central Carolinas offers support services for parents, caregivers and their youth with emotional, behavioral and/or mental health concerns.
Services:
- ParentVOICE: Family Support Specialists offer one-to-one support by preparing parents for and accompanying them to meetings with schools, service providers, and child & family teams. Family Partners also serve as an educational resource to parents and caregivers seeking ways to improve children’s ability to function successfully at home and in school. Family Partners also offer Triple P: Positive Parenting Program with tips, tools and strategies to help parents manage misbehavior and raise happy, confident kids and teens.
- Compeer Program: Compeer matches adults living with a mental health diagnosis with compassionate community volunteers who provide one-to-one supportive friendship and mentoring relationships to offset the social isolation and loneliness that can accompany mental illness. Compeer matches meet virtually or face-to-face at least twice a month. Many go to a movie, have lunch, walk and talk, or enjoy other social activities together. Compeer volunteers make a minimum one-year commitment to the friendship.
Eligibility: Any parent or caregiver of a child with emotional, behavioral and/or health concerns who resides in Mecklenburg or Cabarrus counties.
Contact: Contact (704) 365-3454 for help navigating mental health support services. Contact a Family Support Specialist: (704) 365-3454 ext. 219.
Region 6 Parent Supports
Counties: Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin
General Special Needs
Family Support Network of Greater Forsyth (FSNGF)
Counties: Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin.
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
- Specific to Forsyth County:
- El Grupo de Esperanza: (Spanish Speaking Families)
- 2nd Monday from 7-8:30pm
- To Register, Contact: Rosa Sanchez at, RosaFSN@thecfec.org
- Fella-ship (Group for Dads):
- Meets quarterly
- To Register, Contact: Chris Gentry at ChrisFSN@thecfec.org
- El Grupo de Esperanza: (Spanish Speaking Families)
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Phone: (336) 703-4289; Email: chrisfsn@thecfec.org
Region 7 Parent Supports
Counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Harnett, Hoke, Iredell, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly, Union
General Special Needs
Counties: Cabarrus, Iredell
Description: Amazing Grace Advocacy supports families and children who are struggling with the challenges of Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Mental Health/Illness Disorders, Childhood Trauma, Substance Use Disorder and other Neurological Disorders. They provide navigation and support to improve the quality of life for all.
Services: Highly trained navigators that can provide support with navigating/connecting with resources in some of the following areas:
- School Supports
- Therapy & Mental Health Services
- Medical Providers; Insurance and Medicaid Programs
- Community Supports; Recreation for Families
- Parent Self Care
- Long Term Planning
- Complex Children Services
Eligibility: Families in need of support with navigating care and advocacy for their child.
Contact: Family intake form to get started
Family Support Network of Southern Piedmont (FSNSP)
Counties: Cabarrus, Iredell, Rowan, Stanly, Union.
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contact: Main office: (980) 522-8740; ccranford@fsnsp.org
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas
Counties: Mecklenburg & Cabarrus
Description: Mental Health America of Central Carolinas offers support services for parents, caregivers and their youth with emotional, behavioral and/or mental health concerns.
Services:
- ParentVOICE: Family Support Specialists offer one-to-one support by preparing parents for and accompanying them to meetings with schools, service providers, and child & family teams. Family Partners also serve as an educational resource to parents and caregivers seeking ways to improve children’s ability to function successfully at home and in school. Family Partners also offer Triple P: Positive Parenting Program with tips, tools and strategies to help parents manage misbehavior and raise happy, confident kids and teens.
- Compeer Program: Compeer matches adults living with a mental health diagnosis with compassionate community volunteers who provide one-to-one supportive friendship and mentoring relationships to offset the social isolation and loneliness that can accompany mental illness. Compeer matches meet virtually or face-to-face at least twice a month. Many go to a movie, have lunch, walk and talk, or enjoy other social activities together. Compeer volunteers make a minimum one-year commitment to the friendship.
Eligibility: Any parent or caregiver of a child with emotional, behavioral and/or health concerns who resides in Mecklenburg or Cabarrus counties.
Contact: Contact (704) 365-3454 for help navigating mental health support services. Contact a Family Support Specialist: (704) 365-3454 ext. 219.
Region 8 Parent Supports
Counties: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham
General Special Needs
Family Resource Center – South Atlantic (Houses FSN of Greater Triangle)
Counties: Durham, Guilford, Wake (FSN of Greater Triangle serves Chatham, Durham, Orange, Person, Wake)
Description: Family Resource Center helps families of color and children with special health care needs acquire the skills and resources to help their child/youth obtain optimal health. Family centered practice to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being. Create a partnership with the family and provide services that engage, involve, strengthen, and support families to become self-sufficient.
Services:
- General support and navigation through systems
- Day 2 Day Dads: Works to improve employment and economic mobility opportunities foster healthy relationships and strengthen child-family engagement among fathers.
- Parenting Wisely: Provide tools and tips to parents to get their children through difficult times
- Teens against bullying: Peer led victimization assistance program for youth who have been victimized through bullying
Eligibility: Any parent in the counties listed above whose child of color or has a disability or special healthcare need.
Contact: You can make a referral here.
- Resource line, 1-800-852-0042
- Office phone, (919) 834-9300, ext. 103
- Health Information Resource Specialist, (919) 714-2465
Family Support Network of Central Carolina (FSNCC)
Counties: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham.
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Some parent groups that run in this chapter include: Dad’s Group, Black Parent’s Group; Mom’s Group.
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Main Office: (336) 832-6507; support@fsncc.org; Click here for upcoming parent support group locations & dates.
Region 9 Parent Supports
Counties: Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren
General Support
Education Justice Alliance (EJA)
Counties: Wake
Description: The Education Justice Alliance is a group of concerned individuals in Wake County working for a reduction in the number of public-school students pushed off the academic track through unfair suspensions, harsh discipline policies, and academic failure. They envision a relationship-centered public school system that truly values parents and students as the decisions makers and active agents of change.
Services: EJA is a hub for parents of Wake County students to connect around issues, provide support to each other, and act to demand changes. They provide assistance to parents when navigating various aspects of the public school system. EJA also runs various trainings and workshops for parents, educational and inspirational talks on school transformation, and run various campaigns in Wake County including:
- Monthly Parent Support Meetings: EJA hosts Parent Support Meetings for parents of Wake County students to convene to learn about resources, support each other, and ask questions. You can sign up for the Parent Meetings here, or you can email Surena Johson, EJA’s parent organizer (surena@ejanc.org).
- Black & Brown Parents/Padres United of Wake County: Run by EJA, a group to find support and solidarity with other Black and Brown parents of Wake County students
- Current & Past Campaigns: Counselors Not Cops & Peacebuilders (a proposal to replace school resource officers with Peacebuilders), Too Young to Suspend (campaign that seeks to reduce the racial disparities in elementary school suspensions), Protecting Immigrant Students (a campaign that demands Wake County Public Schools System implement protections for immigrant and undocumented students)
Eligibility: Anyone concerned with public education in Wake County Public Schools, or wanting to connect to make promote change; parents/guardians of children in WCPSS
Contact: info@ejanc.org
Counties: Durham, Wake, Orange, Person, Granville, Vance, Franklin, Johnston, Lee, Harnett, Cumberland
Description: El Centro Hispano (ECH) is the largest Latino-led/Latino-serving organization in the state and has been working with and on behalf of the Hispanic/Latino community in Durham, Wake, Orange, and neighboring counties since 1992. ECH strives to dismantle systemic, institutional, and historical barriers, so they no longer determine the population’s socioeconomic, education, health opportunities and status.
Services: El Centro Hispano’s Education Department focuses on school readiness & achievement and adult education through expanding the capacity of academic institutions, educators, parents, and education leaders to promote and assure the learning and achievement of Hispanic/Latino/Latinx community members.
- Advocacy In Early Education: This program is aimed at Latino parents with children ages 0 to 10 through dialogues that reflect issues that affect early education with the participation in decision-making tables at the state level.
- Family Academy Program: This program supports families to understand the school and university system with monthly workshops that offer academic tools for positive impact, unifies parents and educational organizations.
- Padres Comprometidos: The parents’ workshops enable parents to discuss pertinent topics about their children’s development and education in weekly workshops facilitated by guest experts and educators. Click here to register.
Eligibility: Any Hispanic/Latino family in Durham, Wake, Orange, Person, Granville, Vance, Franklin, Johnston, Lee Harnett, & Cumberland County.
Contact: To contact for more info, please email lhickey@elcentronc.org, or call (919) 687-4635 x 131.
Empowered Parents in Community (EPIC)
Counties: Durham
Description: EPIC works to dismantle systemic racial inequities in the education system through collective organizing and intentional engagement of Black parents, caregivers, and communities. They empower people to advocate for high quality educational opportunities and the equitable distribution of resources within schools.
Services:
- Circle of Hope Program: To support parents’ mental health in an effort to build parent capacity, share resources and support each other to do the work that lies ahead in disrupting systemic racial inequities in education.
- Empowered Families: They bridge home and school through creating a safe space to hear from parents/caregivers lived experiences and organize and empower parents/caregivers to collectively advocate for a common goal – high quality, culturally competent education for Black children so they can thrive.
- Community Building: They bring parents, caregivers and community members together across the community to build on shared values, share educational concerns and resources, and learn to advocate for Black children at the school and district levels.
Eligibility: Parents of children in Durham County
Contact: info@EPiC-NC.org
Counties: Durham
Description: The Ari Advocacy Center directly supports and advances the educational development of Black school-aged children, including those with a full range of disabilities, and their families through a cohesive collaborative strategy of evidence-based practice, research, direct support services, and support.
Services:
- Collaborative care guidance
- Review of IEP records, assessment and progress monitoring
- Support at IEP meetings
- Explore Post-secondary education options
Eligibility: Black children, young adults, parents, family members, and caregivers of North Carolina’s school-aged children
Contact: Nicole Jimerson, TAC@thearicenter.org
NC Cooperative Extension – Parent & Family Support and Support Training (PFAST)
Counties: Durham
Description: NC Cooperative Extension offers a Parent & Family Support Training program; a free 8-week training for parents of children in the NC public school systems. The training covers information and strategies for how to navigate your child’s school and how to help support transform their educational experience. It is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters each year.
Services: Virtual and in-person trainings focusing on parent engagement, navigating the public school system, communication styles, and school accountability.
Eligibility: Families who reside in Durham County
Contact: Email: shouse@dconc.gov
Counties: Durham
Description: Durham Children’s Initiative aims to create a pipeline of high-quality services for youth and their families that helps them to overcome the barriers to their success. The vision is that every youth graduates from high school and is ready to transition to college or a career.
Services:
- DCI Family & Youth Advocates: DCI’s Youth and Family Advocates walk alongside families to ensure that they receive the highest-quality interventions possible aligned to their unique needs. Advocates develop and implement programming for students and provide direct advocacy services to assigned students and their families. Advocates work to promote academic, social, and personal success for DCI youth. Their focus is on developing healthy relationships by maintaining weekly contact with youth and families and ensuring that each receives empowering, high-quality, and appropriate supportive services.
- Out-Of-School Learning: Supports students by offering before school, after school, and weekend programs, academic coaching support, literacy support, summer learning camps, and tutoring and homework help.
Eligibility: Families with children and youth in Durham County
Contact: Email: TheDurhamChildrensInitiative@dci-nc.org; Phone: 919-908-8709
Counties: Orange
Description: The Family Success Alliance (FSA) was formed as a place-based initiative to work with Orange County families to ensure success from cradle to college and career. FSA uses a “collective impact” approach to bring together community members, local government agencies, non-profits, and other community leaders who are committed to ensuring that all children in Orange County have the opportunity to thrive in school, jobs, and community. The initiative is designed to reduce the effects of poverty on children’s development and academic achievement by implementing evidence-based practices that are responsive to the priorities and needs of families, and by influencing larger systems and policy change to create a more just community.
Services:
- Navigator Program: A peer support program in which navigators support families in reaching their goals, connecting with schools and community services and programming, and bringing family perspectives to help improve services and break down systemic barriers to success
- Summer Kindergarten Readiness Program and other summer & afterschool enrichment activities, available through zone schools in both the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Districts
- Coordination & support for programming that aligns with family goals, provided by partner nonprofit agencies (e.g., mental health services, financial planning, childcare scholarships, etc.)
Eligibility:
- Family has a child 0-18 in the home; located in their service areas in Orange County
- Family is eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
Contact: Main office: (919) 245-2071; fsa@orangecountync.gov; Facebook page
Counties: Durham
Description: ISLA NC builds community leadership through educational Spanish language and cultural immersion programs. They support Spanish speaking families to navigate the public education system. Some of their goals through their advocacy and programs are: 1) Provide Spanish-speaking parents access to resources to raise happy, healthy, bilingual families, 2) Lessen the academic opportunity gap between Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino students, 3) Give primarily low-income, Spanish-speaking students the opportunity to gain literacy skills in their native language of Spanish.
Services:
- Support staff available to support families navigate the school system
- Isla Padres: Helps Hispanic/Latinx parents get access to resources and information about raising their children, particularly with the educational system in the US
- Isla Los Sabados: Weekly educational heritage language immersion program for children ages 3-17 that aims to close the opportunity gap and open doors for Hispanic/Latino youth, their families and community
- Isla Verano: Kindergarten through rising 5th grade students learn Spanish through culture in a fun and interactive environment
Eligibility: Children ages 3-17; Hispanic/Latino student’s families primarily in Orange County
Contact: hola@laislaschool.com, 919-265-7692; Office located in Chapel Hill
Counties: Durham
Description: Student U is a program that offers academic support and whole family support for Durham students. The program follows students from middle school through high school graduation.
Services:
- Support staff available to help families navigate the school system
- Learning specialist on staff to support the development and evaluation of IEPs, and social worker on staff who can support development of BIPs
- After school one-on-one academic support
Eligibility: Student who receive free or reduced school lunch (FRL) or are first generation, and that have academic or behavioral needs can enter the lottery. They encourage students to apply at their main entry point in 5th grade (elementary school students), and then work with them through high school and post-secondary plan. They have a few spots in other grades each year (7th and 8th grade, but mostly not past 9th grade).
Contact: admin@studentdurham.org
We Are (Working to Extend Anti-Racist Education)
Counties: Durham County
Description: We Are provides anti-racism training for children, families, and educators. They use a three-pronged approach to dismantle systemic racism in education by offering summer camps for children in rising 1st-5th grade, professional development for educators, and workshops for parents & families.
Services: We Are’s newsletter offers information, articles, links, videos and resources for parents and families. They can support families in envisioning an anti-racist education at their child’s school, and ways to organize around that. They offer anti-racist education workshops & presentations, and you can click here to learn more.
Eligibility: Any parent who is concerned about racial equity in their student’s school in Durham County
Contact: Email: admin@weare-nc.org; Click here to contact a member of We Are.
Counties: Durham County
Description: VOW seeks to uplift Black youth and families by closing the academic opportunity gap between students of different races and cultivating a positive racial self-concept for Black children. To eliminate racial injustice in education, VOW develops resources and tools for students, teachers, and parents to support Black students in their intellectual pursuits and encourage curiosity.
Services: The VOW newsletter, Village Updates, makes parents and students aware of opportunities related to education and equity in the Durham area. VOW also runs a Black parent fellowship called the Dreamship.
Eligibility: Any Black parent/guardian or parent/guardian of a Black student, focused on Durham area
Contact: Email: Nadiah Porter, Parent Amplifier: nporter@villageofwisdom.org
Counties: Wake County
Description: The mission of The Flood Group (previously the Wake County Community Education Committee) is:
- To empower youth through programs that enhance engagement and academic achievement
- To engage parents in their child’s educational journey with access to information, a supportive network of parents and teachers, and content to support parental contributions to student learning
- To collaborate with community partners to build a foundation of support for communities throughout Wake County; and
- Lastly to promote literacy amongst youth as a means to close the achievement and opportunity gaps.
Services: Community outreach and education, community events, parent and student advocacy
Eligibility: N/A
Contact: Fill out the contact form here.
Counties: Durham, Chatham, Orange
Description: FCR provides educational services to young children with disabilities and their families by utilizing assessment instruments, curricula, and strategies for parent involvement and family-centered programming.
Services: Headstart and Early Headstart program, Resources for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, ARCH Respite Network for children and adults, and Kidscope. The Kidscope program offers:
- Mental Health Consultation: Provides screening and support to children birth-5 whose childcare providers have concerns about their development, behavior, or ability to succeed in the classroom. Consultants provide support based on the needs of individual children and work with child care providers and families to create success strategies in the classroom.
- Mental Health Therapy for children ages 0-8
- Parenting education support such as Kaleidoscope (Facilitated Play Groups) and Incredible Years (Parenting Education Class)
Eligibility: Please call the program you are interested in below for eligibility requirements as all programs have different requirements
Contact:
- FCR Office: 919-490-5577
- Headstart/Early Headstart Childcare Program: 919-688-5541 (Durham County) & 919-490-5577 (Orange County)
- KidSCope Services: Phone-(919)-635-9967; Website-Home – Kidscope (kidscopenc.org)
- Online Contact Form CONTACT – FCR (fcrinc.org)
Counties: Durham
Description: Bully City Participatory Defense is a hub of the larger participatory defense network. Participatory defense is a community organizing model for people facing charges, their families, and communities to impact the outcomes of cases and transform the landscape of power in the court system.
Services: Participatory defense hubs offer a community of support around people who are involved, or whose family members are involved, with the court system. Some of the principles and practices are:
- Family and community strength can play a pivotal role in stopping and reducing incarceration for a loved one and a community.
- By working on individual cases, communities can build the movement of directly impacted peoples to hold the actors of the court accountable, make systemic change, and ultimately end mass incarceration.
Eligibility:
Contact:
- Email: Participatorydefense@gmail.co
- Phone: (919) 344-9757; Facebook Page
Participatory Defense Meetings: Thursdays, 6PM – 8PM EST; Participatory Defense Meeting Location: ReCity, 112 Broadway St, Durham, NC
General Special Needs
General Special Needs
Family Resource Center – South Atlantic (Houses FSN of Greater Triangle)
Counties: Durham, Guilford, Wake (FSN of Greater Triangle serves Chatham, Durham, Orange, Person, Wake)
Description: Family Resource Center helps families of color and children with special health care needs acquire the skills and resources to help their child/youth obtain optimal health. They engaged in family centered practice to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being. They create partnerships with families and provide services that engage, involve, strengthen, and support families to become self-sufficient.
Services:
- General support and navigation through systems
- Day 2 Day Dads: Works to improve employment and economic mobility opportunities foster healthy relationships and strengthen child-family engagement among fathers.
- Parenting Wisely: Provide tools and tips to parents to get their children through difficult times
- Teens against bullying: Peer led victimization assistance program for youth who have been victimized through bullying
Eligibility: Any parent in the counties listed above whose child of color or has a disability or special healthcare need.
Contact: You can make a referral here.
- Resource line, 1-800-852-0042
- Office phone- (919) 834-9300, ext. 103
- Health Information Resource Specialist- (919) 714-2465
The Durham Special Needs Advisory Council (D-SNAC)
Counties: Durham
Description: D-SNAC is a group of families working in collaboration with education professionals and community members to support and improve the educational experience and outcomes of students with special needs in Durham Public Schools. D-SNAC serves as a link between EC parents and the district by sharing information, identifying concerns, and improving collaboration.
Services:
- Forum for parents to connect with each other around their children’s special needs and making changes to support their children in the DPS
- Webinars for parents to learn more about their rights and responsibilities, services provided by Durham Public Schools for students with special needs, self-advocacy tools, and other areas of concern related to the education of exceptional children.
- Publishing resources for families of Durham students with disabilities (here) regarding learning & curriculum, IEPs & 504 Plans, parents’ rights in special education, resources for learning at home, therapy services, and wellness at home, and other community resources provided by Durham Public School Exceptional Children Services Department, the Durham Special Needs Advisory Council, and the Community Equity, Data & Information Lab at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science.
Eligibility: Any parent or caregiver of a child with special needs enrolled in Durham Public School System.
Contact: durhamsnac@gmail.com. Click here to find your DPS facilitator by school
IDD
Community Partnerships – Community Guide Services
Counties: Wake
Description: Community Guide services are designed to help children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities as they work towards achieving their personal goals. The purpose of Community Guide services is to encourage self-determination and self-direction; increase participants’ ability to be involved and included in their community; and to help participants develop social networks and connections within their own community. Community Guide services are short-term, temporary (up to 6 months), and phase out when goals are achieved. Services are also provided as needed: participants can enter, exit, and re-enter the program as their needs change.
Services:
- IEP advocacy and parent education
- Locating financial assistance to meet basic needs (housing, utilities) and to pay for other necessary items. We can also help participants access donated items
- Locating after-school programs, social activities or social interest groups that include children with disabilities.
- Educating participants and their families about how to navigate the disability services system
- Linking to non-Medicaid resources related to financial planning, renting or purchasing a home, or applying for public housing.
Eligibility:
- Live in Wake County
- Age 3 or above with an intellectual/developmental disability
- Have Medicaid
Contact:
- Jeanette Kelly, Program Manager, Phone: 919-781-3616, ext. 287
- Office: 3522 Haworth Drive, Raleigh
Region 10 Parent Supports
Counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson, Sampson
General Support
Counties: New Hanover
Description: Sokoto House strives to create a space of learning and teaching that values the local genius of our community. A place where youth feel safe to learn from mistakes and emerge as skilled instruments of justice and engineers of spiritual and economic prosperity. The Sokoto House shall serve as a communal educational space that hosts a large variety of educational events, an expansive library, and opportunities for hands-on business and community development experience.
Services:
- Mentorships
- Youth & family advocacy; Workforce development; Family food support
- Space for community use with access to computers, printers, telephone, internet
- Community Health Worker (CHW) in Violence Prevention
- Our CHW-VPP Training is a course that seeks to equip and activate community professionals with public health upstream thinking and methodology to prevent structural and interpersonal violence. Click here for more information.
- Community-based Public-health Response to Violence (CPrV)
- CPrV is a comprehensive community-led strategy that advances violence as a public health priority and community assets as primary facilitators of violence prevention initiatives when equipped with public health science and deployed within historically marginalized communities. Click here for more information.
Eligibility: N/A
Contact:
- Address: 1213 Dawson St., Wilmington, NC 28401
- Phone- 910-228-5040
- Email- administration@sokotohouse.org.
- Fill out the contact form here.
SEEDS of HOPE Project & Disaster Recovery Center
Counties: Robeson
Description: Seeds of Hope came together to serve the residents of Robeson County during a disaster and in recovery with a focus on economic development. They aim to enhance communities by creating employment, engage in economic development projects and provide educational and law programs that will provide empowerment and sustainability for families.
Services:
- Relief and recovery site and support for disaster survivors
- Business case management and services
- Intake referral
- Education justice advocacy
- Parent power division
Eligibility: Robeson County residents
Contact: Adrienne Kennedy, (910) 802-0081, hopeslcdc@gmail.com; Shalonda Regan, snregan87@gmail.com
Counties: Robeson
Description: CONNECT Community, Inc. connects adolescents and their caregivers who live in rural, southeastern North Carolina to community resources and opportunities. They promote parental resilience, foster social connections and provide knowledge of parenting and child development.
Services:
- Caregiver Training and Workshops
- Family Events and Gatherings
- Adolescent Summits and Support Groups
Eligibility: Robeson County residents
Contact: Kewanda Merritt, kewanda.merritt@connectcmty.org
Counties: New Hanover
Description: Love Our Children is an education advocacy organization focused on improving the experience of children in New Hanover County public schools. The organization brings together families and community members to encourage the New Hanover School Board to make policy changes that would best support children in school.
Services:
- Campaigns focused on ending school suspensions and seclusion
- Providing a space for parents to organize and advocates for school policy changes
- Connections related to early childhood education and mental health
Eligibility: New Hanover County residents
Contact: Peter Rawitch, loveourchildrennc@gmail.com or visit their contact page. Click here for Love Our Children NC’s Facebook page.
North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center
Counties: Robeson
Description: The North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center (NC-YVPC) supports the needs of youth and families by providing a continuum of services to prevent future violence, support victims, and promote resiliency in coping with life stressors.
Services:
- Teen court: A restorative justice approach to reducing crime, Teen Court developed alternative pathways to empower youth to avoid further involvement in the judicial process by diverting them to community service.
- VEEP: Addresses victims of school-related crime such as bullying and teen dating violence, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
- RACER Initiative: Robeson Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resilience Initiative, raises public awareness using effective messaging, helping residents understand, recognize and prevent adverse childhood experiences, establish a task force designed to map resources, inventory services and implement a strategic plan for creating a service continuum for prevent & intervention efforts focusing on ACES, and facilitate educational opportunities on the causes of ACEs and the universal impact
Eligibility: Robeson County residents
Contact: James Barbee, James.barbee@co.Robeson.nc.us
General Special Needs
Family Support Network of Southeastern NC (FSN SENC)
Counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson, Sampson.
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Main office: 910-792-6133; fsnsoutheastern@gmail.com
Region 11 Parent Supports
Counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Carteret, Craven, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne, Wilson
General Advocacy
Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County
Counties: Pitt County
Description: Parents for public Schools of Pitt County advances the role of families and communities in securing a high-quality public education for each child.
Services:
- Parent Engagement Program: A cohort that meets one day per month to prepare parents to be well equipped and empowered advocates of public education.
- Community Conversations: Data gathered from Pitt County citizens throughout a school year regarding their experiences with Pitt County Schools. Themes and issues are reported to the BOE with changes.
- School Tours: Tours are given to community leaders, families, and elected officials to show that school quality does not match school report card grade.
Eligibility: Any parent/guardian whose student attends Pitt County Schools.
Contact: Phone: (252) 758-1604 ext. 201; Email: info@ppspittcounty.org
Counties: Wilson County
Description: Casa Azul de Wilson provides a homebase for Wilson’s Latinx families to feel valued so that they may own their power and ascend in their educational, leadership and civic pursuits. We build community through culturally affirming events, programs and campaigns that allow us to celebrate our complex and diverse identities.
Services:
- College counseling services (help with applications, resumes, essays, financial aid, scholarships, etc.)
- Cultural events and programming
- Voter registration and civic engagement
- Limited financial assistance and direct services
Eligibility: Services are intended for Latinx and bicultural people and families in Wilson
Contact: Fill out the contact form here or visit our office at 219 B Barnes St S Wilson NC 27893 from 10am-6pm Monday through Friday.
General Special Needs
Family Support Network of Eastern NC (FSN ENC)
Counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Carteret, Craven, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Hyde, Johnston, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Wayne, Wilson.
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates Offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
- Specific to Pitt County:
- Coffee and Chat Virtual Parents Connection Group: 2nd Thursday of every month
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Faith Mosley at faith@aacfnc.org; Director@fsnenc.org; Phone- 252-917-4110
Region 12 Parent Supports
Counties: Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, Washington
General Special Needs
Family Support Network of Northeastern NC (FSNNENC)
Counties: Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, Washington
Description: Family Support Network provides information, support, and training for families who have children of all ages with all types of special needs. They match families with parents who have children with similar disabilities, coordinate parent support and education groups, offer training on topics of interest for families and professionals, one-on-one assistance, and provide information & access to resources.
Services: All FSN Regional Affiliates offer: Parent-to-Parent Support; Parent Mentor Orientation; Information & Referral; Support Groups & Workshops; Service System Navigation Support; Parent to Parent Matching for Rare Disorders.
- Circle of Parents Support Group: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays and Thursdays of each month
Eligibility: Parent of child who were born with or “at risk” for developmental disability; who have special health care needs; who have complex developmental, medical, behavioral issues that impacts developmental success; who have learning disabilities; who have mental health/behavioral disorders; and/or who are in a foster care system.
Contacts: Office-252-333-1233; Work Cell-252-339-0695; faith@aacfnc.org
Watch a video of how to use the Parent Support Guide above:
This version was last updated February 2023. If you have additions or changes that need to be made to this document, please add them in the box below and we will edit accordingly.
Disclaimer: Legal Aid of North Carolina is not an agent or affiliate of any of the organizations listed in this guide and cannot guarantee that you will receive any services from them.