📖 Quick Reference Guide
Support for Parents of Special Needs Adults – Union County, NC
🏛 County Services
- Union County Adult Services (DSS)
Advocacy, Adult Protective Services, guardianship, case management
📞 (704) 296‑4300
🧩 Statewide & Regional Resources
- Arc of North Carolina
Housing, employment, community inclusion
📞 (704) 332‑0178 • arcnc.org - Autism Society of North Carolina
Family support groups, workshops, adult autism resources
📞 (704) 894‑9678 • autismsociety-nc.org - Family Support Network of NC
Peer mentoring, parent support, resource navigation
📞 (800) 852‑0042 • fsnnc.org - Disability Rights NC
Legal advocacy, protection of rights
📞 (919) 856‑2195 • disabilityrightsnc.org
📚 Educational & Transition Resources
- Union County Public Schools – Exceptional Children Parent Resources
Transition planning, summer camps, statewide links
📞 (704) 296‑9898 • ucpsnc.org - NC DHHS – Division of MH/DD/SAS
Medicaid waivers, supported living, vocational services
📞 (984) 236‑5000 • ncdhhs.gov
🏠 Local & Community Supports
Most likely, the first agency a parent of an adult with special needs in Union County, NC should contact to connect with other parents and family support is the Family Support Network of North Carolina (FSN-NC).
- FSN-NC specializes in peer-to-peer mentoring and parent support groups, connecting families who share similar experiences.
- They provide guidance, emotional support, and resource navigation, making them the most direct way to meet other parents in similar situations.
- 📞 (800) 852-0042 • 🌐 fsnnc.org
Locally, parents can also reach out to the Autism Society of North Carolina (Charlotte/Union County office), which runs family support groups and workshops for caregivers of adults on the autism spectrum.
- 📞 (704) 894-9678 • 🌐 autismsociety-nc.org
NORTH CAROLINA SPECIFIC
With NC ABLE, disabled North Carolinians or their benefactors can set aside money for most living expenses without losing eligibility for certain assistance programs, such as SSI and Medicaid.
Guardianship – LIFEguardianship is a program of The Arc of NC designed to help advocate for and protect the health and safety of individuals to ensure that their civil and human rights are not violated.
Disability Rights & Resources is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private, non-profit Center for Independent Living. They advocate for and mentor people with disabilities in a four-county service area comprising Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union Counties in North Carolina.
First In Families of the Southern Piedmont’s mission is to empower and support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities by establishing partnerships between families and the community.
The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities. NCATP leads North Carolina’s efforts to implement the federal Assistive Technology Act of 2004 by providing device demonstrations, short-term device loans, and assistive technology utilization. They promote independence for people with disabilities through access to technology.
The North Carolina Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) is for adults with disabilities who prefer to remain in their primary private residences rather than in a nursing home.
Housing – The Arc of North Carolina provides assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in locating housing that meets their needs.
Information on Section 8 Housing in NC
InReachNC provides innovative housing, employment, and community services to support people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, as well as their families. Including a day support and activity center in Monroe.
Polka Dot Parent’s list of church programs related to special needs
St. Matthew Catholic’s program for children and adults with special needs
Residential care for individuals with special needs
The North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides counseling, training, education, transportation, job placement, assistive technology and other support services to people with disabilities.
NCDHHS Job Training and Disability Employment: If your disability or chronic condition is a barrier to success on the job, NCDHHS can help you chart your path to a career with a future in North Carolina. They provide counseling, training, job placement assistance, assistive technology and many other services, depending on what each individual client needs to meet their goal for competitive integrated employment.
Supported Employment – The Arc of NC helps connect employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. This process, with the support of a trained Employment Specialist, involves matching the right person with the right job by:
• Assessment
• Planning
• Job Development
• Job Coaching
• Long-term support
The Arc Advocacy and Education – The Arc provides advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and assists them in locating resources, navigating systems of support and making community connections. Resource Advocates provide advocacy and education, assistance with developing plans, and help link people to services they need in the community. To qualify for this service, an individual must qualify for Medicaid and have an I/DD diagnosis. Find out more by calling The Arc of NC’s toll-free number: 800-662-8706
Signposts Ministries helps families that have children with disabilities or chronic health problems by connecting them with local resources, providing educational materials, and supporting them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
North Carolina Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources and Treatment (NC START) is a statewide community crisis prevention and intervention program for individuals age six and above with intellectual/developmental disability and co-occurring complex behavioral and/or mental health needs. The model works to improve the lives of the individuals served and their families by providing services and supports using a person-centered, positive, multidisciplinary, cost-effective, systemic and evidence-informed approach.
The North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help low-income citizens save energy and reduce expenses through the installation of energy conservation materials and the implementation of energy efficiency measures in their homes. Priority is placed on providing assistance to the elderly, individuals with disabilities and families with children.
Misty Meadows Mitey Riders provides equine-assisted therapy to special needs children, ranging in age from 5-17, with varying conditions including autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome, and more. Riders experience a variety of activities which challenge them cognitively, physically and socially, all while developing a long-term relationship with horses.
Union Diversified Industries (UDI) is Union County’s oldest nonprofit for adults with Developmental Disabilities. UDI offers work activities, life skills training, creative arts, and much more. Outside of the day programming offered, UDI offers services in the home and community through the Innovations Waiver and B3 Services.
South Piedmont Community College’s Compass Education program offers educational opportunities to assist adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities with a goal of transitioning to the workforce and/or college and training programs. Morning and afternoon classes are available and are provided at no cost to the student. Please contact SPCC’s Adult Basic Skills Department at 704-290-5183 for additional and/or enrollment information. SPCC also has an Accessibility Services office to assist students with disabilities in obtaining equal access to educational opportunities at South Piedmont Community College
Disability Services at Central Piedmont Community College
NATIONAL
Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, is one of many initiatives of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation to promote inclusion and to help those with special needs. Encompassing 25 acres, the unique, colorful, safe, and affordable theme park offers fun for all ages and abilities. Admission for those with special needs is free; admission fees for accompanying family members, friends, caregivers, and the general public are nominal. Morgan’s Wonderland also has the world’s first ultra-accessible splash park – Morgan’s Inspiration Island.
APPLYING FOR DISABILITY
SSI and SSDI are two different programs
SSDI – For People Who Worked. SSDI is for people who have paid Social Security tax. Whether or not you qualify for SSDI also depends on how old you are, how much you worked, and how recently you worked.
SSI – For People Who Are Poor. SSI is for people who don’t qualify for SSDI or for people who get a very low SSDI check. To get on SSI you must be low income and low assets. If you are married, they will also consider your spouse’s income and assets.
An Explanation of the Rules of SSI
How To Apply For Disability Without a Lawyer
Things to Know Before Applying for SSI
Be Prepared Long Before Filing for Disability Benefits
32 Support Documents that Can Help Your Disability Case
How To Describe Your Activities When You Apply for Disability
How to Stay In Touch with Your Disability Examiner
How to Survive Financially While Waiting for Disability Approval
How to Greatly Increase Your Chances of Disability Approval
Section 8 Secrets for People with Disabilities
When Your Home Can Be Excluded as an Asset for SSI Disability
What Are Disabled Adult Child Benefits?
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
Social Security Administration Rules for Working While Disabled
How You Can (and can’t) Make Money While on SSI
Social Security Disability Entrepreneurship and Starting a Business on Disability Income
Job Accommodation Network– JAN’s trusted consultants offer one-on-one guidance on workplace accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities. Assistance is available both over the phone and online.
The Campaign for Disability Employment Resources for Job Seekers & Employees
Job-Hunting Tips for Adults With Disabilities
DISABILITY HOUSING
How to Determine Rent if You Live with the Homeowner (SSI Regulations)
How Much Rent You Pay Affects Your SSI If you do not pay your share of household expenses, your SSI check is lowered by up to one-third. This is called “In-Kind Support and Maintenance.” See link for details on how to determine which household expenses count, and how to determine your share.
First Time Home Buyer FAQ
https://www.redfin.com/down-payment/first-time-home-buyer
Ultimate Guide to Home Remodeling for People with Disabilities
https://www.yourbestdigs.com/guide/disability
Grants for Home Modification: 16 Resources for Homeowners with Disabilities
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/grants-for-home-modification/
Everything You Need to Know About Disability Home Loan Grants
https://listwithclever.com/real-estate-blog/disability-home-loan-grants/
Renters’ Rights and Housing Assistance for People with Disabilities
Renters-rights-and-housing-assistance-for-people-with-disabilities
MISCELLANEOUS DISABILITY ISSUES
How to Pay Rent While Waiting for an SSI Approval or Redetermination
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance via live video calls.
SNAP/EBT/Food Stamps Elderly or Disabled Rules
How State In-Home Care Works & How to Apply
What Counts as a Medical Expense for Different Programs
How to Get an Assessment for Medical Equipment
Insta-cart Grocery Delivery Service
SNAP/EBT and Medicaid cardholders get a discount on Amazon Prime.
FOR STUDENTS
Free Math and Computing Resources for Special Needs Students in K-12
Tips for Students With Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS
Documenting Disabilities for Standardized Tests
Accommodations for CLEP Exams– CLEP exams are an excellent way to get college credits without actually taking the college class. If you do well enough on the exam, it shows that you understand the subject well enough that you don’t need to take the class.
Many College Degrees Can be Completed Entirely Online
College and College Prep with a Learning Disability
Phil's List 