Community Advocacy, Support Groups and Schools

Disclaimer:
The Developmental and Behavioral Services Resource Guide is solely intended to provide information to patients and their families about public and private agency resources which serve the needs of children with developmental and behavioral issues.  The Guide should not be considered an endorsement of any program or service.  Patients and their families are advised to carefully consider such resources in consultation with their personal physician.

Beginnings

Address:  7508 E. Independence Boulevard, Suite 106 • Charlotte, NC 28227

Phone:  (704) 566-0145     Fax: (704) 566-0653

Website:  www.ncbegin.org

Nonprofit organization that serves parents of children birth to age 21 who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing emotional support and access to information.

Charlotte Mothers of Multiples

Phone:  (704) 341-9979

Website:  www.cmoms.net

Serves mothers of multiples or expectant mothers of twins, triplets and more.  Services include parental programs, information and equipment exchanges, social support system networks, educational opportunities and scholarship programs.

Child and Adolescent Community Support- Division of Area Mental Health
Address: 3430 Wheatley Avenue (Tom Ray Center) • Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: (704) 336-2227   Fax: (704) 353-0390
Sliding Scale: Yes   Medicaid: Yes   Insurance: Yes

Comments: Provides mental health treatment for children between the ages of 5-18. Residents of Mecklenburg County that have been diagnosed with a mental health, developmental disability or substance abuse disorder are eligible for services. Wide range of treatments available. Services are billed to the appropriate funding source. Clients are not denied services based on inability to pay for care.

Developmental Disabilities Resources (DDR), Inc.

Address:  9822 Albemarle Road • Charlotte, NC 28227

Phone:  (704) 573-9777  Fax:  (704) 545-6481

Comments:  DDR provides services for people ages three and up.  Provides CAP-MR/DD services (Home and Community Supports, Residential Supports, Personal Assistance, Respite and Day Supports), DD Respite, Personal Assistance, Family Living and AFL Crisis Respite. Provides State and Medicaid services.  For more information, contact Devon Smith at (704) 573-9777, Ext. 6656.

Dore Academy
Address: 1727 Providence Road • Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: (704) 365-5490   Fax: (704) 365-5087

Web site:  doreacademy.com

Comments: The school serves students with average to above average cognitive ability, but have been diagnosed with a specific learning disability or attention disorder. Cash, checks, money orders, credit cards and wire transfers accepted.

Elon Homes and Schools for Children

Address:  1717 Sharon Road West • Charlotte, NC  28210

Phone: (704) 369-2500 Ext. 519    Fax: (704) 688-2960

Web site:  www.elonhomes.org

Comments:  Residential treatment I 12-18 years.  Specialized foster care 2-18 years. Family Care 0-18 years.

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center
Address: 907 Barra Row, Suites 102-103 • Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: (704) 892-1321   Fax: (704) 892-5028

Comments: The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center is a state-wide, non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children through a special emphasis on children with disabilities. As the state-wide parent training and information center, ECAC provides a variety of services at no cost to parents. These include assistance with educational issues, toll free phone number, lending libraries, newsletters, and workshops on a variety of topics. ECAC is a resource tool, not a provider of services.

Family Support Network of Mecklenburg County

Coordinator:  Sandra Ringelstein

Address:  Carlton G. Watkins Center • 3500 Ellington Street, Suite 23 • Charlotte, NC  28211

Phone: (704) 336-7173     Fax:  (704) 336-7112

Comments:  Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources for families of children with special needs including premature birth, special healthcare needs, developmental disabilities, and families who have experienced the death of a child.

Governor Morehead School - Preschool Program

Address:  4401 Colwick Road, Suite 504 • Charlotte, NC 28211

Phone:  (704) 366-5093     Fax:  (704) 442-8488

Address:  15607 Chipping Drive • Huntersville, NC  28078

Phone:  (704) 947-1963     Fax:  (704) 947-1968

Website:  www.ncoes.net/gms_sites.shtml

Program that provides Early Intervention services for children ages birth to five years with visual impairments.  Intervention strategies focus on community-based experiences that incorporate a strong emphasis on developing pre-Braille, Braille, pre--Orientation and Mobility, and Orientation and Mobility skills, with instruction and intervention provided across all developmental domains.

Infant Mental Health Training Series - Charlotte Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

Address:  5039 Airport Center Parkway, Bldg. K • Charlotte, NC  28208

Phone:  (704) 512-6523    Fax:  (704) 512-6558

Comments:  Offers an interdisciplinary Infant Mental Health Training Series aimed at healthcare providers concerned with maximizine the emotional, physical, psychosocial and cognitive well-being of young children and families.

Journey to Wellness

Professionals:  David Litman, MSW, LCSW; Teri Layzell, MSW, LCSW; Julianne Gold Brunson, PhD

Contact Person:  Teri Layzell

Address:  8801 J. M. Keynes Drive, Suite 405 • Charlotte, NC  28262

Phone:  (704) 926-5030     Fax:  (704) 927-0482

Website:  www.journeymh.com

Sliding Scale:  Yes   Medicaid:  Yes   Insurance:  Yes

Comments:  Outpatient mental health therapy, consultation, advocacy and education.  Services are available for all ages.  They serve individuals and families impacted by hearing loss.  Their work is culturally competant and sensitive.  Their staff is fluent in American Sign Language. 

Manas Academy

Address:  6203 Carmel Road, Suite 101 • Charlotte, NC  28226

Phone:  (704) 542-6471     Fax:  (704) 541-2858

Comments:  Manas Academy is a school, grades 4-12, for students with learning disabilities, attention issues and neurological deficits.  Ratio 1 teacher to 5 students.  Educational assessments, parent coaching and extended day enrichment programming included.

Mecklenburg County Health Department Child Service Coordination Program
Address: 2845 Beatties Ford Road • Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: (704) 336-5458
Sliding Scale: No  Medicaid: No  Insurance: No

Comments: This program serves Mecklenburg County residents birth to age five that meet risk conditions determined by the state. The CSC staff provides teaching, guidance, developmental assessments and assists families in learning how to stimulate their children and help them to maintain normal growth and development. Income is not a consideration for services.

Parents as Teachers

Address:  3803-B Computer Drive, Suite 205 • Raleigh, NC 27609

Phone:  (919) 571-8092
Website: www.ncpat.org

Comments: Parents as Teachers is a family education and support program for parents of young children. They provide free information to parents about their child’s development, as well as ideas and activities to promote learning.

Support Works
Phone: (704) 331-9500
Website: www.supportworks.org

Comments: Support Works helps people find and form support groups as well as research medical information. This site provides useful information about local and national resources. It is a volunteer organization. Phone lines are open Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - noon.

The Fletcher School
Address: 8500 Sardis Road • Charlotte, NC 28270
Phone: (704) 365-4658   Fax:  704-364-2978
Website: www.thefletcherschool.org

Comments: The Fletcher School offers a comprehensive educational program designed to build the academic, social and emotional competence of students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD.  Cash or check accepted.

Thompson Child and Family Focus
Address: 6800 St. Peter’s Lane • Matthews, NC 28105
Phone: (704) 536-0375   Fax: (704) 531-9266
Sliding Scale: Yes   Medicaid: Yes   Insurance: Some

Comments: Residential and day treatment services for children with behavioral and emotional disabilities. Offer community support services such as school-based interventions, outpatient services, foster care, and intensive in-home services.

The Smart Start of Mecklenburg County Polliwog Project offers a safety net of services for children in Mecklenburg County whose needs are not currently being met through existing community agencies. The project serves children birth to 5 years of age whose challenging behavior places them at risk of losing their childcare placement. The Polliwog Project also serves children ages 3-5 whose therapeutic needs do not qualify for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Pre-K exceptional Children’s Program, as well as those who are 3 years of age and transitioning out of the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program. This project provides child centered behavioral therapy; group instruction for early childhood professionals and families; and specialized therapies including speech-language, occupational and physical therapy.