______

T h e
 Arc
of Craven County                        A Family Advocacy Organization      
                                               P.O. Box 12211, New Bern, NC 28561

It is affiliated with The Arc of NC an advocacy and provider organization found at www.arcnc.org and the Arc of the USA a leading advocacy organization www.thearc.org

The Arc is committed to securing for all people challenged by intellectual and physical disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work, worship and play. 

The Arc of Craven County is a volunteer organization which fosters community programs to promote the general welfare of citizens in Craven, Jones, and Pamlico Counties of North Carolina by:

  1. Holding social gatherings for the disabled population.
  2. Recognizing those who provide vocational supports and employment of the disabled
  3. Supporting organizations committed to community inclusion of persons challenged by disability.
  4. Involvement with YMCA, Community Recreation and Park Departments and Special Olympics represents a significant commitment of The Arc of Craven County.
  5. Providing the supplemental financial support for the “Summer Fun Youth Day Camp”
  6. Representing a source of advice and aid to parents and guardians as to the community supports which meet the needs of their loved ones.
  7. Maintaining a reference file of local community resources and providers of service which address the needs of disabled citizens.
  8. Actively advocating for the disabled to promote person centered, community inclusive optimal solutions to the needs of the individual.
  9. Supporting the lobby of local, state, federal representatives to improve community inclusiveness and essential financial supports for the disabled.
  10. Maintains an active relation with the system of care which includes private and government agencies promoting early intervention, education, vocational development, independent and supported living, transition to the community, and social development with dignity.

All citizens with disability, parents and guardians, providers of service, community leaders and friends may participate in furthering the work of The Arc of Craven County.  Write to the address listed above or contact:

 2006 Officers
            President – John Scharf (252) 633 6766 jhscharf@earthlink.net
            Membership Chairman - Kathy Albano (252) 636 3325
            Social Chairman – Evelyn Harrison (252) 637 6577           

 

   The North Carolina System of Supports for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities

Department of MH/DD/SSA is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) The department works with all agencies State and Federal to bring to it’s citizens in each county the necessary supports to choose and realize their goals of where and how to live, learn, worship and play.

To achieve these goals North Carolina is moving the system of supports to the private provider sector of the economy. Each individual will develop a Person Centered Plan of life and choice of supporting providers.

Local administration of the system of supports is provided by a Local Management Entity (LME) that provides the subscribing counties the professional services which address triage of individual need, and Community need analysis, Provider assessment & authorization, System quality oversight and Reimbursement confirmation.

Neuse Center is providing the leadership for the creation of a regional LME to be known as the Eastern Carolina Behavioral Health Organization (ECBHO). The region will be comprised of Craven, Jones & Pamlico with Pitt County and Bertie, Gates, Herford & Northampton counties who comprised the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Triage confirms the need and identity of supporting providers. Your choice of support will confirm the resources that may be applied to your need.

Birth to three (the first two years). The State of North Carolina has established the Children’s Developmental Services Agency to address Early Intervention. Other private and non-profit organizations are in place to support the needs of families addressing the needs of children with developmental disabilities.

Three to 21 (the educational and transition years). The State Department of Instruction and Local County School Systems support the Exceptional Education Program. The private provider network address the individual and community needs of the person-centered plan not addressed by the Exceptional Education Program.

Adult life issues. The private provider network and community resources support these needs. In some cases the LME is a provider of services until transfer to a private provider is completed.

Examples of community supports without endorsement: Contact LME for complete listing of area providers.

            Transportation – CARTS covers Craven, Jones, and Pamlico Counties

            Education –       Craven, Jones and Pamlico County School Systems

                                    Craven and Pamlico Community Colleges

            NC Vocational Rehabilitation – See local offices in your area

            Job skills – CETC Inc. a community rehabilitation program

            Life Skills – Coastal Counties Enterprise & Life Inc.

            Residential needs – Arc Services Inc. & Life Inc.

                                                                                                                                                  12/2006