The Arc of North Carolina

August 15, 2024

The Board of Directors announces that John Nash, Executive Director of The Arc of North Carolina, has resigned his position. John will remain with The Arc of North Carolina through Monday, September 2, 2024.

The Board of Directors is carefully crafting a plan for transition that includes a great number of dedicated, competent staff who will ensure the stability and growth of this organization. This Board of Directors is committed to supporting both the staff and the people served by this tremendous organization. To that end, we have named Lisa Poteat as Acting Director, effective immediately.

The Arc of North Carolina staff and Board of Directors have worked hard to keep the organization’s mission at the forefront of all activities. We are proud of and grateful to John for his passion, dedication, and generosity of spirit for people with IDD.

More details about the transition will be forthcoming.

Sincerely,

Sherisse Marion
President, The Arc of NC Board of Directors

Send a message to learn more

Take a survey about Tailored Care Management for the chance to win an Amazon gift card!

We would like to gather feedback about Tailored Care Management from people with IDD and their families to help improve the service and make sure it is available for people who need it. Your responses will be completely anonymous.

Click this link to take the survey: https://thearcofnorthcarolina.formstack.com/forms/tailored_care_management_survey

The Arc of Davidson County, Inc. The Arc of Union/Cabarrus, Inc. The Arc of Wilson County The Arc of Buncombe County The Arc of Greensboro The Arc of High Point Triangle Disability & Autism Services North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? There is significant concern for his well-being.

George Taylor has been missing since June 2024. The N.C. Center for Missing Persons has issued a Missing Endangered Alert. Citizens are asked to be on the lookout for GEORGE JEROME TAYLOR, who is believed to be suffering from a cognitive impairment.

https://nccmp.ncdps.gov/Alerts/Announcement/11164

Anyone with information about GEORGE JEROME TAYLOR should call A. LABOY at the Harnett County Sheriff's Office at (910) 893-9111.

Due to the storm, our Charlotte offices will be closed on Thursday August 8. Please stay safe and go to readync.gov for emergency preparedness and response information.

Due to the storm, our Raleigh office will be closed on Thursday August 8. Please stay safe and go to readync.gov for emergency preparedness and response information.

Due to the impending storm, our Triad, Greensboro, and Wilmington offices will be closed on Thursday August 8 and Friday August 9. Those offices are scheduled to re-open on Monday, August 12. We will let you know if that changes. Please stay safe and go to readync.gov for emergency preparedness and response information.

Governor Cooper has declared a ahead of Tropical Storm Debby. Portions of North Carolina are expected to get large amounts of rain and flooding is likely.

The time to prepare is now. Make sure you have: food on hand that does not require refrigeration, fresh batteries, and flashlights. Check your prescriptions and make sure you have them refilled. If you live in flood prone areas, have a bag packed with clothing and other items you may need if you are told to evacuate. Put any important papers in sealed plastic bags, and keep them accessible.

For more tips, go to www.readync.gov

A message from Executive Director John Nash this evening.

A Message from the Executive Director August 5, 2024 Good evening. After much consideration and careful thought, I have informed the Board of Directors that it is time for me to step down as the Executive Director of The Arc of

Are you prepared for the storm? Several inches of rain are predicted to fall this week. Now is the time to prepare. Make sure you have an emergency kit, refill any prescriptions you might need, and have your emergency checklist handy.

For the latest information, go to https://www.readync.gov/

Plan. Prepare. Stay Informed. | Ready NC Utilice el botón "Select Language" para ver el sitio en otros idiomas. Use the "Select Language" button to view the site in other languages.

Get ready for the next stop on our 2024 Listening Session tour of NC! Our next event will be in the city of Clyde at the Haywood Community College on September 24th from 5pm-7pm. Refreshments will be provided. If you live in western NC, this is the perfect opportunity to come out and talk with our staff. We want to hear your most pressing concerns and answer your questions.

REGISTER HERE: https://thearcnc.wufoo.com/forms/2024-listening-session-registration/

DID YOU KNOW that The Arc of NC works to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and alcohol-exposed pregnancies? WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please participate in this anonymous survey to help us define our messaging. We are spreading the word about this anonymous online survey to North Carolina adults ages 18 or older by sharing the information below with adults in the community.

Survey participants can enter a drawing for chances to win one $100 gift card given out weekly and one $500 gift card given out at the end of the survey period to Walmart, Best Buy, or Lowe’s Home Improvement. SHARE WIDELY!!! THANK YOU!!!

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7930823/North-Carolina-Alcohol-Use-and-Pregnancy-Survey

July is National Fragile X Awareness Month, and July 22 is National Fragile X Awareness Day. Learn more about Fragile X syndrome and find resources for you and your family: https://fragilex.org/get-involved/national-fragilex-awareness-month/

July is Disability Pride Month! This year's theme, as determined by The Arc's National Council of Self-Advocates is " We Want a Life Like Yours". In recognition, we wanted to share the importance of employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Right now, 85% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are unemployed. Many of them want to work and have skills to contribute.

Check out this video to better understand how hiring someone with a disability is beneficial for the community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKku4RAWa4M

THE HIRING CHAIN performed by STING | World Down Syndrome Day 2021 By hiring someone with Down syndrome, you start a virtuous chain: the more that people with Down Syndrome are seen at work, the more they’ll be recognized as...

Have you seen the great videos on our YouTube channel?
https://www.youtube.com/

In addition to webinars and tips on navigating services, we've talked with parents who have a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disorder and we spoke to Kelly Crosbie, Director of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services at NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Do you have questions about the NC Innovations Waiver, IEPs, and guardianship?

Check out our latest video from Sherisse, mom to a child with I/DD, and Melinda Plue, our Director of Advocacy and Chapter Development. Sherisse asks the questions that many parents have when trying to find services and supports.
https://youtu.be/pMOrfwqRmpI

The latest issue of our newsletter, The Root, is now available! Read more about the launch of Tailored Plans, meet a new member of our staff, and check out our YouTube video channel.
https://myemail-api.constantcontact.com/The-Root---A-Quarterly-Newsletter.html?soid=1130705597620&aid=SDQ6dJn2ivE

The Root - A Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2024 SUMMER EDITION   Welcome to Summer! Summer is here and we hope you are staying cool. Whether you are at home taking it easy or traveling on a summer vacation, we've got some important upda

Our offices will be closing at 3pm on July 3rd and will be closed on Thursday, July 4. We hope that you have a happy and safe July 4th holiday.

TAILORED PLAN WEBINAR ALERT: Join the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on July 1st at 2pm for a discussion on the launch of Tailored Plans. During this webinar, you will hear from the CEOs of Alliance, Vaya, Partners, and Trillium as they discuss Tailored Plans.

Register for webinar: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsduusrTsuEr3MP1SHj7smx4OysoTELcE #/registration

North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance NAMI North Carolina The Arc of Wilson County The Arc of High Point The Arc of Union/Cabarrus, Inc. The Arc of Buncombe County Triangle Disability & Autism Services

On Monday, July 1st, North Carolina will launch Tailored Plans for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This will be a big change and we know families have a lot of questions.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch videos and webinars about Tailored Plans.

North Carolina Tailored Plans for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

Have questions about self-direction? Do you know how it applies to you or your family? Join us on Thursday, June 27th for a lunch and learn webinar! This will be an open forum for parents and families to ask questions and make some new connections.

Register by scanning the QR code below, or clicking this link:
https://thearcofnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodOqopzgrGtTv-81UpYt30t4AFr9OZ8Om

Do you have questions about estate planning and making sure your child with an intellectual or developmental disability is cared for? We've created a video to help you start thinking about an estate plan and how to care for your child.
North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Disability Rights North Carolina Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities

Estate Planning for Parents of a Child with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability In this video, you will learn more about estate planning. This will focus on what parents of a child with an intellectual or developmental disability should ...

We are proud to honor and uplift those who live at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and disability, breaking barriers and creating a more inclusive world. Their experiences offer us a powerful reminder of the diverse challenges and triumphs that make our community so extraordinary.

Let us introduce you to Pauline ⬇️
Hello! I am Pauline Bosma. I am the founder and coordinator of the Rainbow Support Groups in Massachusetts. I am proud of the guidebook I helped to write about the lives of LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please check it out at https://pulse.ly/x43at4hyec

We were thrilled to have Kelly Crosbie, Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services at the NC Department of Health and Human Services as a guest on our podcast, Around The Table. Kelly spoke about the importance of whole person health, the transition to Tailored Plans, and Tailored Care Management. She also talks about other NC DHHS programs designed to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Watch the episode on our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/flT0YDM4fjo

Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities Disability Rights North Carolina North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities NAMI North Carolina NC Department of Health and Human Services

You still have time to register! Join The Arc of NC as we hit the road and host two different in-person listening sessions in eastern NC. On June 3rd, we will be in Elizabeth City and on June 4th, we will be in Washington.

Scan the QR code, or click this link to register to attend an event and submit your questions in advance: https://thearcnc.wufoo.com/forms/2024-listening-session-registration/

Space is limited, so register today! We look forward to hearing from you and making connections.

Question about the July 1st launch of Tailored Plans? Take a look at our latest video. We've got updates and guidance for suggestions you may be receiving. You'll find lots of videos about , the NC Innovations Waiver, and on our YouTube channel.

North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Disability Rights North Carolina North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance

North Carolina Tailored Plan Launch Update: New Information This video discusses the latest updates for the North Carolina Tailored Plan for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn about the nex...

Our offices will close at 3pm on Friday, May 24th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday and will be closed Monday, May 27th. We hope that you have a wonderful and safe holiday!

Check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel! We're answering your questions about the Innovations Waiver, Tailored Plans, Medicaid, and Care Management.
Go to YouTube and visit our channel:

You can also listen to our podcast, Around the Table. The first episode of Around the Table features a Ray, a Dad who's fighting to ensure that his son Nicholas gets the services he needs. Ray also talks about being a strong advocate for people intellectual and developmental disabilities.

HUGE congratulations to one of our care managers, Julie Evans, for being named Professional of the Year by The Arc of Davidson County, Inc. Julie received the award for her dedication and support for connecting families to The Arc of Davidson and surrounding areas.
Care managers work tirelessly to ensure that medical appointments are made, coordinate individual home/community based mental health services, make referrals for community supports that can include food, transportation, and employment. They help find resources in housing, assist with school/education issues, or financial resources for people so that they can get or remain independent.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION!
A percentage of students with disabilities have complex needs that require extensive and highly sophisticated supports, sometimes only available through specialized placements. These supports and placements can be extremely expensive, which makes it difficult for schools to provide them. Without these critical supports, these children are often unable to access their education, or even their school buildings, due to restrictive practices such as frequently being sent home early and shortened day or home-bound placements. Being unable to access school would be devastating for any child and their family, but it is exceptionally devastating for these children who require the most support. The Support Students with Disabilities Act (HB1035) would create a program to assist school districts with funding the supports and services children with complex needs deserve/require.

Therefore, we are asking you to reach out to your state representatives on the House Education Appropriations Committee: https://www.votervoice.net/melmark/campaigns/115405/respond

Please ask that they support HB1035, briefly explaining why it is so important to you, your child, and your family. This is an issue that affects children and families across the state.

Please share with your network to help garner support.

Thank you in advance for your efforts on this! We are so close to getting this legislation passed, which would be life-changing for so many children and families!