ASNC is partnering with Trillium Health Resources for residents of Pitt, Beaufort, New Hanover, and Pender counties to provide support to individuals on Medicaid through Family Navigators. What do Family Navigators do? Family Navigators ā who are all parents of loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) ā teach…
Public Policy Update: Rate Increase to Support Wages for Direct Support Workers A First Step in Right Direction
The state budget that passed in December 2021 included funding towards increasing Medicaid home and community-based provider rates so that wages paid to direct support professionals/direct support workers can be increased. While the budget special provision language states that 15.00 per hour is the goal, there is not enough money appropriated in the budget to…
Public Policy Update: Competitive Integrated Employment in North Carolina Enters New Era with Plan for Closure of āSheltered WorkshopsāĀ Ā
The state of North Carolina (NC DHHS) announced they have entered into a settlement agreement with Disability Rights North Carolina and the Center for Public Representation to ensure that over 1,000 individuals with disabilities currently working in segregated employment settings have the opportunity to seek out community-based integrated competitive employment.Ā Segregated employment settings, often called…
Camp Royall: The Training that Creates the Best Counselors
So many people work hard to make summer at Camp Royall a reality, including facility staff, lifeguards, activity directors, and counselors. Just as we enjoy seeing campers grow over the years, we also enjoy seeing the professional development of our staff as they return summer after summer. For many people, working as a counselor at…
New Yearās Resolutions and Autism – A Promise to You
Happy New Year! Many people approach the new year as a time to focus on bettering themselves. In fact, making New Year’s resolutions has history in both Western and Eastern cultures and dates back many centuries – a fun tidbit I learned in preparing for this blog. Our friends at Wikipedia define resolutions as a…
A Letter of Love and Gratitude from the Clinical Team
During this Thanksgiving season, members of our Clinical team reflected on their gratitude for the individuals and families they serve. The Clinical Team is thankful to provide support to all members of the North Carolina autism community. As one member of the team wrote to parents: āIām grateful for your trust in me because I…
Join a Family Chapter for Support, Education, and Fun
Now that the kids are settled into the new school year and the holidays are approaching, are you looking for some activities with families that āget itā? Check out our more than 70 Chapters and Support Groups serving families in 73 counties across the state! They are offering many events and meetings ā outdoor, online,…
Carmen Henwood and Sarah Waller Honored with McCrimmon Award
The McCrimmon Award is named for Ed McCrimmon, a longtime member of the Autism Society of North Carolina staff. He was known for his outstanding dedication and integrity as he served individuals with autism. Tragically, he died in 2017. The McCrimmon Award was established to keep Edās memory alive, and at the same time, celebrate…