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Community Resources- Special Needs

Below we've compiled a variety of resources we've found to be helpful to our families over the years.  We hope these serve you well over the course of your parenting journey.  If you have any questions or suggestions for additional resources that have helped your family, please email us.

ALAMANCE COUNTY:

CASWELL COUNTY:

  • Children's Developmental Services Agency: Provides evaluation and assessment, as well as Service Coordination for qualifying children aged birth - 3. Caswell County is served through the Greensboro Branch office.  For more information, call 335.334.5601.
  • Caswell County Schools Exceptional Children's Department: Providing special education programs and other services for children ages 3 and up.
  • Caswell County Partnership for Children: Offers a variety of services for children birth through age eighteen and families, including childcare resource and referral, youth programs, parenting programs and much more.
  • Caswell County Health Department: Serving the community through Child Service Coordination; health services to women & children, WIC program; maternity & postpartum care services; and more.
  • Governor Morehead Preschool: Providing early intervention services to children with visual impairments from birth-5 throughout central North Carolina, Greensboro office.  More more information, call 336.334.5748. 

GUILFORD COUNTY:

  • ARC of Greensboro: We believe that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the rights afforded every American and that they demand to be included and participate as full members of the community. Here at the ARC, we believe everybody deserves a choice and a voice!  We believe in and support the concept of People First. The ARC believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, not by their disabilities. The ARC provides many programs such as Challenger Sports, ArcBarks, employment options, and art classes.
  • Autism Society of NC: The Autism Society of North Carolina provides support and promotes opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families. 
  • Allegro Music Therapy: Allegro provides individual and group music therapy, and education in a variety of settings.  We serve typical children, teens and adults of all ages, as well as those with special needs. This includes individuals with learning differences, physical and developmental disabilities, those with diagnoses along the autism spectrum, Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related conditions, traumatic brain injury, acute and chronic pain and medical patients.
  • Buddy Break: This resource provides 3 FREE hours of respite for parents of children with special needs.  Held at West Market Street United Methodist Church on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Siblings are welcome as well.  If your child would like to attend Buddy Break, make sure you call to reserve a spot.  Please email buddybreak@wmsumc.org for more information.
  • Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)- Greensboro-: Our area Early Intervention office, offering diagnostic evaluations, access to therapy services, and service coordination for children from birth to age 3. Parents, physicians, and other service providers may make referrals to the CDSA to arrange for screenings and consultations. For more information, please email lisa@fsncc.org.
  • Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association: Shares information for parents and caregivers of children with CP, including information on treatment options, causes, and symptoms.
  • Gateway Education Center: The Mission of Gateway Education Center is to be a model program for the education and care of children, 3-22 years of age, with severe cognitive, physical, and/or medical disabilities. Education and care include developing and maintaining, with dignity, humanity, and purpose, each student and his/her family's potential in the areas of health, social/emotional, behavioral, vocational, daily living, and academics.
  • Guilford County Schools Exceptional Children & Psychological Services Office: Providing diagnostic assessments, case management, and school placement assistance for children ages 3 and up.
  • Guilford Parent Academy: Provides free information and training on a variety of topics for parents, grandparents and family members caring for children and young people in Guilford County.
  • Greensboro Parks & Rec: The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department exists to provide professional and diverse leisure opportunities through inclusive programs, facilities, parks, and open space, ensuring that Greensboro is a desirable place to work, live and play.  
  • Greensboro United TOPSoccer: TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based soccer program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by community volunteers. This outreach program was started with the help of the Family Support Network and the Down Syndrome Network, and is a program of GUSA. TOPSoccer is open to any child, age three* or older, regardless of diagnosis or ability. Our players include children with autism, Down syndrome, intellectual and motor challenges, Cerebral Palsy, and other disabilities.
  • UNCG Beyond Academics: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a Comprehensive Transition Program while enrolled in Integrative Community Studies, a four-year certificate program of study that emphasizes higher education, self-determination, community inclusion, career development, and independent living. Students completing requirements for graduation receive a certificate in Integrative Community Studies, awarded by The Office of the Provost at UNCG. Beyond Academics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of the university that provides support and services for enrolled students.
  • Haynes Inman Education Center: Haynes-Inman Education Center is a Guilford County public separate school located in Jamestown, North Carolina that serves approximately 130 students ranging in age from preschool to age 22 with severe to profound cognitive and/or physical disabilities.  Our facility also has one preschool inclusion class that educates special needs students as well as regular education students. 
  • Horsepower: Horsepower Therapeutic Learning Center is a non-profit organization serving the North Carolina Piedmont Triad community since 1995. We are a Premier PATH International Center that provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted therapy to over 300 individuals with disabilities, as well as able-bodied students, each year.
  • NC Division of Services for Deaf or Hard of Hearing: The Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health- and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable citizens – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders and advocacy groups; local, state and federal entities; and many other stakeholders to make this happen.
  • Rethinking Guardianship: Are you considering guardianship option for your child(ren)?  Head on over to the Rethinking Guardianship website for FAQ, a 'know your options' brochure, and more!
  • Sandhills Center: Sandhills Center is a Local Management Entity-Managed Care Organization (LME-MCO) serving people in nine counties in central North Carolina. We have a robust network of providers who offer treatment and support for mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is the goal of Sandhills Center to make treatment options available to those who need them, to enrich and support our Provider Network, and to contribute to the overall well-being of the communities we serve.

RANDOLPH COUNTY:

  • Children's Developmental Services Agency: Providing evaluation, service coordination, and access to therapy services for children from birth-3. Support in transitioning to Preschool special education services at their third birthday. Referrals may be submitted by parents, physicians, teachers, or other caregivers.  For more information, call 336.625.1076.
  • Asheboro City Schools' Exceptional Children Services: Educational placement and coordination of therapy services for children with special needs in Preschool through grade 12. For more information, please call 336.625.5104.
  • Asheboro City Schools Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC): Inclusive early childhood education center for eligible children, ages 3 and 4, with and without special needs.  For more information, please call 336.676.6636.
  • Randolph County Partnership for Children: Smart Start-funded organization offering a variety of services for children and families, including enhancement of early childhood education services; family support; children's health services; programs to support school readiness; and much more.  For more information, please call 336.229.2128.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY:

  • Children's Developmental Services Agency: Providing evaluation, service coordination, and access to therapy services for children from birth-3. Support in transitioning to Preschool Special Education Services on their third birthday. Referrals may be submitted by parents, physicians, teachers, or other caregivers.  For more information, please call 336.334.5601.
  • Rockingham County Schools Special Education Services: Serving children with disabilities aged 3-21 with educational and therapeutic services. The page includes links to Preschool Special Education services, local resource lists, administrative contacts, and much more.  For more information, please call 336.627.2711.
  • Annie Penn Hospital Outpatient Therapy Services: Speech/language, physical, and occupational therapy services for children and adults. Specialized services in sensory integration assessment and therapy also available. Medicaid and private insurance accepted.  For more information, please call 336.951.4557.
  • Golden Earth Therapies: Occupational therapy services and /or Aquatic Therapy Services for children birth - 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, including autism, feeding issues, sensory integration. Year-round indoor pool. Private insurance and Medicaid accepted. Kathy Fritsche, O.T. Phone: 336.939.3312.
  • Governor Morehead Preschool for Children with Visual Impairment: Providing developmentally appropriate educational settings for eligible children aged birth to 5, with or without special needs. Also offering a variety of enrichment programs for families and communities.  For more information, please call 336.349.4762.
  • Head Start of Rockingham County: Serving children birth-5 who have visual impairments. Services, administered in homes and/or schools, include support of functional vision, introduction to Braille, and parent education.  For more information, please call 336.334.3748.
  • Morehead Memorial Hospital Physical Rehabilitation: Offering speech & language, physical, and occupational evaluation and therapy services for all ages. Most private insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare accepted; health finance available.  For more information, please call 336.627.6199.
  • NC Early Intervention for Children who are Dear or Hard of Hearing: Community-based early intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families, focusing on communication needs.  For more information, please call 336.824.1890.
  • Rockingham County Department of Public Health: Medical and dental health services, child service coordination, health & nutrition education, and many other services for eligible families.  For more information, please call 336.342.8161.
  • Rockingham County Department of Social Services: A broad range of services for families, including Medicaid and food stamp enrollment, Work First, child support enforcement, case management, and much more.  For more information, please call 336.342.1394.
  • Rockingham County Partnership for Children: Smart Start agency offering a variety of services for children and families.  Including the following: Parents as Teachers, support groups, parent education, resource & referral, and an extensive Teen Parent program.  For more information, please call 336.623.6002.
  • Childcare Resource and Referral: Assisting families in finding quality childcare, and providers in enhancing their early childhood programs.
  • More at Four: Providing quality, developmentally-appropriate early education for qualifying four-year-olds. Visit the website or call for additional information on these services and many more.  For more information, please call 336.342.9676.
  • Rolling Ridge Riding: Therapeutic horseback riding, supervised by licensed physical therapists, for a person with disabilities aged 3 and up.  For more information, please call 336.349.4702. 

SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES:

    • 2019 FSN Summer Camp Directory
    • Burlington Parks and Rec- The Burlington Parks and Rec offers several camps and programs for individuals with disabilities. 
    • Camp Carefree- Camp Carefree offers a 1-week camping experience to individuals with specific disabilities, and to children who are siblings of a chronically ill parent or sibling.
    • Camp Dogwood- Camp Dogwood is a recreational facility located on Lake Norman in Catawba County.  We operate a recreational program consisting of 10 one week overnight sessions for adults with blindness and visual impairment.  This recreational/vacation experience includes boating, fishing, swimming, tubing, art, crafts, mini gold, and off-campus trips.
    • Camp Green Leaves (City of Burlington)- Serves children ages 5-21 with developmental disabilities or delays within Alamance County.
    • Camp Joy (City of Greensboro)- Open to children 5+ with special needs.
    • Camp Reach- Camp R.E.A.C.H. is a summer day camp for children and young adults with special needs who have severe language challenges.  Augmentative communication is addressed for each individual camper.  The camps are split by age group (3-10) and ability to maximize the fun and learning potential of each camper.
    • Camp Free Spirit at Kopper Top Learning Life Learning- Camp Free Spirit is a half day summer day camp designed for children ages 2 and up.  Camp runs every morning for a week, Mon-Fri.  Campers learn about the care and handling of horses, as well as horse sense and safety.
    • Camp Leap-In- This camp will provide a sensory-rich environment for all children to encourage the development of age-appropriate sensory processing skills, motor skills, and social skills.
    • Camp High-Five- A constraint-induced movement therapy camp.  Campers are selected by invitation only; basic criteria for campers is they should have hemiplegia and be at least 4 years old.
    • Greensboro Parks and Rec- Camp is open to children ages 5-12 years old.  Fee assistance available up to 50%.
    • High Point Parks and Rec- Camp Ann is a weekly summer day camp experience for kids (6+) and adults with disabilities is offered by High Point Parks and Rec. Arts and crafts, field trips, swimming, and outdoor rec with lunch and snack provided.
    • Hugs Camp- HUGS is a unique camp for unique people, bringing together young people of diverse abilities.  They overcome barriers of real and imagined differences and build bridges of understanding.  HUGS is about acknowledging the good creation in each of us, and more fully knowing and loving our God through it.  The great differences among campers and staff help all of us learn to appreciate and celebrate our diversity as we recognize our common ground.
    • Horsepower- This camp introduces beginning and non-riders to recreational horseback riding.  Topics include understanding the nature of the horse, riding skills, mounting/dismounting, equipment, handling of the horses, and more.
    • ICan Swim Greensboro- The iCan Swim goal is to teach the foundation for safely enjoying the aquatic environment and promoting as much independent movement in the water as possible.  The iCan Swim program isn't aquatic therapy, rather a program to teach and encourage enjoyment of the water as a leisure recreational activity.  The camp is open to anyone age 3 or older with any disability.
    • ICan Bike Greensboro- The iCan Bike goal is to teach participants how to ride a two-wheel bicycle independently.  Camp is open to those with disabilities, age 8 or older, and who meet other criteria such as a minimum height and maximum weight.
    • Victory Junction- Victory Junction is where children, whose lives are filled with limitations and boundaries, face fun challenges and discover just how resilient they are.  The camp experience is not just about playing games, but helping children learn more about their abilities and what they CAN do.
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