The Arc of Pitt County

There are three ways to locate the resources you are looking for:

Download The Arc of Pitt County’s Resource Guide from our website.

Contact The Arc of Pitt County’s office for a hard-copy Resource Guide.

Visit The Arc Link.Org website for finding resources/service not only in the local area, but nationally as well.

For those families who have just moved or plan to relocate to the Pitt County area, The Arc of Pitt County offers a “Welcome Packet” which includes the Resource Guide along with helpful information in securing services. For a Welcome Packet, please contact our office (252-756-1056 or arcpitt@embarqmail.com).

Listed further below on this webpage, you will find Helpful Hints on what to consider when choosing a service provider; what to look for when visiting group homes; questions to ask when interviewing for case management services. There is also a “Frequently Asked Questions & Answers” Section further down on this webpage which you may find very helpful in various subjects/needs.

The Arclink.Org

The Arclink.Org is an organization which has a very diversified website. Currently Arclink.Org offers information on participating service provider agencies in over 20 states throughout The United States.

Their website also offers “Find Family”. “Find Family” is for families who may have lost touch with family members with disabilities, ones who may have been institutionalized, fostered, etc.

The Arclink.Org additionally offers “Roomates” which is an online matching service for persons with disabilities looking for someone to share home living with.

To locate service providers outside of North Carolina, please visit: http://www.thearclink.org/search/index.asp

To locate services within the State of North Carolina, please visit:
http://www.thearclink.org/state/search/index.asp?ID=NC

If you are unable to find services and/or programs you are looking for, please contact the office of The Arc of Pitt County, and we will do our best in locating what you are looking for.

Forward

The purpose of the Resource Guide is to provide consumers, service providers and families with a comprehensive reference of services and supports currently available in the Pitt County area for those with developmental disabilities.

As everyone knows, the process for finding services and supports can be very time-consuming and complicated at times, causing frustration for everyone involved. We hope that our Resource Center will help you in your search for services and programs.

Our Resource Guide is divided into sections according to type of service and/or program available. As more and more service providers and agencies become involved with our Resource Center, our Guide will continue to expand. In the meantime if you do not find the information you are looking for, please contact our office (252-756-1056 or arcpitt@embarqmail.com) and we will do our best in assisting you to find the resources you are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

I just moved here, whom do I contact to request services?

The Eastern Carolina Behavioral Health (ECBH) would be your first contact. ECBH is our Local Management Entity which covers a nine county area in the eastern region of North Carolina. ECBH is a public agency designated by the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services to manage state and federal funding for the counties they serve.

ECBH serves Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Gates, Hertford, Jones, Northampton, Pamlico, and Pitt counties, with offices based in New Bern, Ahoskie, Greenville, and Washington. (Please refer to Resource Guide for further information.)

You will also want to contact an agency who provides Targeted Case Management services. Please refer to the section of “Targeted Case Management” in our Resource Guide or contact our office for a list of area providers. A Targeted Case Manager will be assigned to you and their primary function will be to access services and complete all application processes for you and your loved one with developmental disabilities.

How Do I apply for Social Security?

To find out more about how to apply for Social Security, please visit their website at www.ssa.gov or call their toll free number at (800) 772-213. TTY Number is (800) 325-0778. You can also apply at our local Social Security office which is located at 2805 Charles Blvd., Greenville, NC 27858. The local telephone number for the Social Security office is (252) 758-1634.

What is Case Management and how do I access it?

There are several case management agencies in the Pitt County area. Please refer to the “Case Management Services” section of the Resource Guide for a listing.

You may also contact our office or ECBH for a further listing. A Case Manager is responsible for overseeing the services and supports you receive as an individual with developmental disabilities.

What are my child’s rights in the educational setting?

Your child has the right to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment within the public school system according to law. Every child with a documented disability is required and entitled to their personalized Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

What is Legal Guardianship and how do I access it?

Guardianship is described as a legal relationship in which an individual, corporation, or public agent such as the local Department of Social Services or Area Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Program is authorized to make decisions on behalf of another.

When a child reaches the age of 18 in North Carolina, he/she is considered as competent and able to manage their own affairs, regardless of whether or not they have a disability. Guardianship is a “restrictive procedure” and should not be taken lightly. Giving decision-making power to a substitute involves taking it away from the original person, thus depriving them of their independence and civil rights. Many persons with disabilities can manage their own affairs with informal assistance from family, friends, advocates, and/or agency support personnel.

For some people, however, the severity of their disability makes the formal appointment of guardian necessary. We strongly encourage parents of these individuals to take the legal steps of procedure in being appointed legal guardian once the child has reached the age 18 years. There are three basic types of guardianship – Guardianship of the Person, Guardianship of the Estate, and General Guardianship.

You can begin the guardianship process on your own by filing the appropriate paperwork with the local Clerk of Courts office, located at 100 West 3rd Street, Greenville. The general information telephone number is (252) 695-7100. We have in our office copies of the legal documents needed to begin the guardianship application process. We also have a list of local attorneys who can assist you in this matter.

LIFE guardianship supports and services are available to individuals 17.5 years and older in any county of our State. Individuals receiving services live in their own communities in settings such as apartments, houses, group homes, nursing homes, family care homes, and intermediate care facilities, or in psychiatric hospitals. The Arc of North Carolina’s team of volunteers makes LIFE guardianship supports and services a more person-centered alternative when no individual guardian can be appointed. To begin this process, please contact The Arc of North Carolina, LIFE Guardianship Supports and Services at (919) 782-4632 or (800) 662-8706.

The following information was provided by The Arc of Mecklenburg County and has been used with permission.

Things to Consider when Choosing a Provider:

Make a list of the things that are most important for you. Is it transportation to work? Is it that the staff is highly trained in behavior supports? Is it that the provider closely monitors employees?

Consider the provider’s hiring practices. Providers should consider criminal backgrounds of potential employees, especially violent crimes.

Consider the policies governing choices and self-determination. Providers should be promoting choice and allowing people more control over their services.

Red Flags

Providers who do not want to answer your questions.

Words like “do not allow” or “can’t do that” should lead to further questioning.

Listen carefully to the answers to your questions and see how closely the vision of the provider compares to your expectations.

What to look for when visiting group homes…

Is the house clean and odor free?

Is the privacy of the residents considered?

Is the home located near community activities?

Does the staff just take care of people or does the environment support choices and flexibility?

Does the answering machine indicate the company or program name or does it give the names of the individuals who live there?

Do the residents have enough space for their personal belongings and some private space?

Are there personal mementos displayed in the common areas?

Questions to ask when interviewing for case management services…

Why did your agency decide to provide case management?

What is the philosophy of your case management services?

Describe the roles and responsibilities of your case managers.

How will your case managers advocate for me/ my family?

What methods will you use to implement person centered planning?

Describe how your case managers will monitor my services.

The following information was provided by East Carolina Behavioral Health.

Click here to view a printable version of the Resource Manual