Get Resources

This is a list of some of the state organizations and federally funded organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This list is not comprehensive. There are many fantastic organizations not listed here due to website constraints.

Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC)

Disability Rights North Carolina is a legal advocacy agency dedicated to advancing and defending the rights of people with disabilities in North Carolina. As the federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization for the state, DRNC handles cases involving discrimination, abuse, and other rights violations at no cost to North Carolinians with disabilities. Its vision is a just, fully integrated, and accessible society where people with disabilities have power, equal opportunity, and freedom to make their own decisions.

For more information: https://disabilityrightsnc.org/

Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD)

The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) is a comprehensive center at UNC providing multidisciplinary clinical services, conducting research, offering training, and engaging in advocacy, all with the goal of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. CIDD is part of three national networks: University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC), and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs. It aims to serve as a leader in clinical care, training, and research, disseminating evidence-based information related to neurodevelopmental conditions.

For more information: https://www.med.unc.edu/cidd/

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS)

NC DHHS is the overarching state agency responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. For individuals with developmental disabilities, it oversees and funds a wide array of services, including Medicaid programs, waivers, and the divisions responsible for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use services. It is the designated state agency for the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME-MCOs)

LME-MCOs are regional governmental entities contracted by NC DHHS to manage Medicaid, state, and local funds for mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), substance use disorder, and traumatic brain injury services. Through “Tailored Plans,” they also cover physical health and pharmacy services for eligible Medicaid members, providing integrated care. They are responsible for ensuring access to care, maintaining provider networks, and managing the NC Innovations Waiver, including its waitlist.

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory

Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services

DMHDDSUS is part of NC DHHS and supports the well-being of all North Carolinians by building systems, services and supports for:

• Mental Health
• Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
• Substance Use
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Problem Gambling

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mhddsus

Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD)

EIPD is a division within the NC Department of Health and Human Services, dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve competitive employment and more independent living. It provides vocational rehabilitation services, including counseling, training, job placement assistance, and assistive technology, to individuals whose disability presents a barrier to employment. EIPD operates through a network of over 70 local offices statewide, customizing plans to meet individual needs.

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/eipd

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)

ECAC is a statewide, nonprofit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of all children, with a particular focus on children with disabilities and special health care needs. It serves as North Carolina's designated Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center, providing information, education, outreach, and support to families across the state. ECAC's Parent Educators, who are parents of children with special needs themselves, help families navigate the special education system, understand their rights, and advocate effectively.

For more information: https://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/

This is a list of key state-funded or Medicaid resources and organizations for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.

This list of resources is not comprehensive and some key resources are likely missing. Please visit NC DHHS, your local LME/MCO, and other organizations that explain or share resources for additional information. These resources regularly change.

NC Innovations Waiver

The NC Innovations Waiver is a comprehensive Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver for people of all ages who have an intellectual or other developmental disability (I/DD) or a closely related condition. This includes individuals with diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and traumatic brain injury if the injury occurred before age 22. The waiver "waives" some typical Medicaid eligibility requirements, such as family income, by considering only the individual's income, making it accessible to more individuals with I/DD regardless of their family's financial status. There is a multi-year waiting list for people with I/DD for the Innovations Waiver. Some people wait for more than ten years. For this reason, individuals should join the waiting list but also look into CAP-DA and 1915(i) services. It is critical to apply for the Innovations Waiver as early as possible due to the multi-year waiting list.

For more information: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/beneficiaries/nc-innovations-waiver

NC Medicaid 1915(i) services

NC Medicaid 1915(i) services are designed to help individuals live in their own homes and communities rather than in care facilities. These services are available to children and adults who have mental health conditions, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries, or intellectual/developmental disabilities. A key advantage of 1915(i) services is their status as an entitlement program, meaning they do not run out of funds or have waiting lists, unlike the Innovations Waiver. This makes them a crucial alternative or bridge for individuals who are on the Innovations Waiver waitlist.

For more information: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/beneficiaries/1915i

Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP-DA)

CAP-DA is a Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver for medically fragile or complex disabled adults aged 18 and older who are determined to require a level of institutional care under the State Medicaid Plan. This is different from the Innovations Waiver, which is specifically designed for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Some individuals with developmental disabilities may qualify for both CAP-DA and the Innovations Waiver. The Innovations Waiver has a multi-year waiting list so some people with developmental disabilities have CAP-DA or 1915i Medicaid while they are on the waiting list. Even if you have CAP-DA or 1915i Medicaid, you should still join the Innovations Waiver waiting list if you qualify.

For more information: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/providers/programs-services/long-term-care/community-alternatives-program-for-disabled-adults

Tailored Plans

Tailored Plans are a specific type of North Carolina Medicaid Managed Care plan designed for individuals with complex health needs related to serious mental illness, severe substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries. These plans are essential Managed Care Insurance Plans, which offer a combination of physical health, pharmacy, care management, and behavioral health services, including some additional services not available in standard Medicaid plans.

For more information: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/tailored-plans

Tailored Care Managers

Tailored Care Managers are trained to help people with serious mental illness, severe substance abuse disorder, intellectual/developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury. Your Tailored Care Manager helps you navigate your health care, so you do not have to do it all yourself.

For more information:

• Getting Started with a Tailored Care Manager
• How Tailored Care Managers Can Help You

LME/MCOs, or Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations

Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs) do the following:

• Manage NC Medicaid Tailored Plans;
• Coordinate certain services for NC Medicaid Direct beneficiaries; and
• Coordinate certain services for EBCI Tribal Option members.

There is one LME/MCO for each county.

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory

Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (NC DHHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services in North Carolina are provided by the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD), a part of the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). These services promote employment and independence for people with disabilities through customer partnership and community leadership. To be eligible, an individual must have a disability that presents a barrier to obtaining or maintaining employment and require VR services to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment.

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/eipd

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Medicaid Services for Children (EPSDT)

EPSDT is a federal Medicaid mandate that requires states to provide all medically necessary health care services to eligible children under the age of 21. This program is critical because it ensures that even if a service is not typically covered under the standard NC Medicaid State Plan, it can be covered for recipients under 21 years of age if it is medically necessary and listed in the Social Security Act.

For more information:

• https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/early-and-periodic-screening-diagnosis-and-treatment-epsdt-fact-sheet/download?attachment (Fact Sheet)
• https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/provider-information/mental-health-development-disabilities-and-substance-abuse-services/early-periodic-screening-diagnostic-and-treatment-medicaid-services-children

NC Infant-Toddler Program (ITP)

The NC Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) provides supports and services for families and their children from birth to three years old who have special needs. Eligibility extends to children with certain levels of developmental delay or established conditions, such as autism. As part of the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being, the ITP offers early intervention services coordinated locally by 16 Children's Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) across North Carolina.

For more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/north-carolina-infant-toddler-program-nc-itp/about-nc-itp

Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP-C)

CAP-C is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program designed for children from birth through 20 years old who are considered medically fragile or complex. To be eligible, these children must be determined to require a level of institutional care under the North Carolina Medicaid State Plan, meaning they would qualify for care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility if not for the supports provided by the waiver. A key feature of this waiver is that Medicaid eligibility is determined solely on the child's income, not the entire family's income, which broadens access for many families who might otherwise be ineligible.

For more information: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/providers/programs-services/long-term-care/community-alternatives-program-for-children

NC Department of Public Instruction - Office of Exceptional Children

Exceptional Education services in North Carolina are mandated for all students with disabilities from birth to age 21 who require special education and related services. It is operated through local school districts but the state Office of Exceptional Children has limited responsibilities supporting local school districts. Exceptional Children services include early intervention services for infants and toddlers and the provision of a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to children aged 3 to 21 determined eligible for special education and related services. Most school districts and schools have additional information on their websites.

For more information: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children

Visit NC DHHS and your LME/MCO to learn more or explore other services.

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities supports ReadyNC.gov in encouraging people to be prepared for all types of emergencies. Information is provided in other languages on the ReadyNC.gov website. You can also use the "Select Language" in the upper right area of this web page to choose the language you need.

Preparing for an emergency is important and could be life-saving! Discover ways to make your plan, build your kit, and to access resources when an emergency happens.

• Be Prepared: Make a Plan and an Emergency Kit
• Emergency Hotlines
• Personal Crisis and Mental Health Assistance
• Emergency Shelters
• Communication Tools
• Financial Assistance
• Disaster Response Alerts from NCCDD

Be Prepared: Make a Plan and an Emergency Kit

It is essential to make a plan and build a kit before an emergency happens!

Talk to your family, your friends, and your natural supports. If you need to evacuate, who will help you go somewhere safe? Will your family take you somewhere safe? Or will you need a friend or a neighbor to give you a ride? Do you need to use a wheelchair-accessible vehicle? Do you need to bring a battery to charge your wheelchair? Do you need a refrigerator or a cooler for your medicine? 

Asking these questions now and finding the answers now will help you in case a hurricane, tropical storm, or other natural disaster hits the area where you live. Don’t find yourself unprepared in the middle of a flood or a long-lasting power outage!

Here's more information from ReadyNC.gov: 

• Make a Plan: https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/make-plan (ASL and Spanish videos available)
• Watch an ASL video: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/readync-asl-video
• Get a Kit: https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/get-kit (ASL and Spanish videos available)

Additional resources:

• Ready.Gov, a national site providing general and disability-related emergency information, including how to make your own emergency plan: https://www.ready.gov/disability 
• The North Carolina Office of Emergency Management provides detailed information about all types of emergencies:  https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management.

Emergency Hotlines

Disaster Distress Helpline: The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) provides crisis support services to anyone impacted by a natural disaster. It is available 24/7 in English or Spanish (Español presiona “2”). You can call or text. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers, please call or text using your preferred Relay provider.

Medical Emergency: Call 911 if you are in an emergency situation.

General Help/Missing Persons: Call 211 or go to https://nc211.org/.

Power Outages: You can track power outages here https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/power-outages 

LME/MCOs: LME/MCOs are the key connection for most mental health and developmental disability services. You can find your LME/MCO here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/lme-mco-directory 

Personal Crisis and Mental Health Assistance

Video from NCDHHS: While North Carolina has the experience and resources to manage disasters, it’s normal to be overwhelmed before, during, or after an event. Learn more about how and where you can find help.  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=eBqqwY&v=453345417758412&rdid=ryx5huJnj9Dq1bna

Personal Crisis Assistance: If you are in a personal crisis and need someone to talk with, call the Crisis Line at 988. If you are not in an immediate crisis, but need someone to talk with, you can call the North Carolina Warm Line at 1-855-733-7762.

Mental Health and Substance Use Services Support: The NC Department Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services uses the Connections App to provide support for mental health and substance use recovery services. It is free and confidential. Enroll to get the Connections App.

Mental Health Fact Sheets: NCDHHS offers several fact sheets with information on how to navigate stressful events and where to find mental health support. The fact sheets focus on responding to several types of natural disasters. 

Emergency Shelters

Find a shelter:  https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters 

Accessibility Checklist in Shelters: https://www.ncdps.gov/documents/files/shelter-worker-accessibility-checklist/download 

Communication Tools

Communication aids can be used with emergency response professionals, in hospitals, or when staying in an emergency shelter.

Picture Communication Aid: Use this one-page document to help someone communicate with you or for you to communicate with someone.

Show Me Communication Tool Booklet: Use this communication tool when staying at an emergency shelter.

Accessibility Checklists: The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides information on emergency management for people with functional needs: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/access-and-functional-needs-emergency-management 

Financial Assistance

Take the following steps if you need financial help or have experienced damage due to a natural disaster event:

• Take pictures to document your storm damage. Take lots of pictures to prove your need for help.
• Apply for help with FEMA. https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual or 1-800-621-3362
• Report damage to your homeowner’s insurance company.
• Request relief from the American Red Cross https://www.redcross.org/get-help.html and 1 (800) 733-2767
• There may be other legitimate charities and other organizations providing support in your area.
• Do not pay any contractor ahead of time, and make sure to watch out for scams.

Disaster Response Alerts from NCCDD

• Don’t Wait: Prepare for Hurricane Season Today! (May 2025)
• Hurricane Helene Disaster Response (September 2024)

Key Resources

Find supports & services

Essential Organizations

Find agencies to ask for help

I/DD Definition & Common Terms

Review our resource directory

Emergency Disaster Resources

Be prepared for an emergency