Disclaimer: A Bridge to Achievement does not endorse or recommend any of the organizations listed. This list represents resources and organizations recommended by local families or professionals. It is not exhaustive. However, if you have a good experience and would like to recommend other resources for this list, please send them to ABA@ABTA-ABA.com for inclusion in our next revision.
Autism Society of Forsyth County
This organization offers Parents Night Out, support groups, informational membership meetings, seminars, workshops, and Camp Imagine. For more info, click here to follow them on Facebook.
Baseball
- Challenger Baseball League of Southwest Forsyth Little League. Contact: Kris Drum at 336-407-6257.
- High Point Miracle League. Contact 336-883-3481 or email: leaguedirector@hpmiracleleague.org or leaguemanager@hpmiracleleague.org
Brenner Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Development and Behavior
Brenner Children’s pediatricians provide medical and neurodevelopmental evaluations and treatment for children with diagnosed or suspected developmental disabilities. They operate a multidisciplinary developmental evaluation clinic for children up to age five and a regional intensive care nursery program follow-up clinic. Programs include:
- Pediatric Eating, Assessment and Treatment Program (KIDS-EAT): a multi-specialty clinic and treatment program for oral feeding disorders. Contact 336-713-7429 for more information.
- Augmentative Communication and Assistive Learning Clinic: a multidisciplinary program that offers prescriptive evaluations, treatment and outreach services to children with expressive language impairments who have the ability to communicate and interact with assistive devices. Contact (336) 713-4500.
- The Amos Cottage Therapeutic Day Program (TDP): licensed through the Division of Health and Human Services and is fully accredited. The program serves children ages 3-7 who are experiencing significant social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges that are causing a disruption in their classroom setting. The TDP employs a multi-disciplinary team approach throughout the treatment process, including the family in every phase of treatment. A licensed Winston-Salem Forsyth County teacher provides academics while the child is in treatment. Detailed program information can be obtained by calling 336-713-7443.
Cardinal Innovations Healthcare (CI)
Cardinal Innovations Healthcare (CI) is a state-mandated Local Management Entity and Medicaid-funded Managed Care Organization in charge of overseeing the delivery of publicly funded mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services in Forsyth, Stokes, Davie and Rockingham Counties. CI works closely with community partners, advocates and service providers to address the service needs of the people and communities we serve. To find out if you or your family member is eligible to receive NC Innovations services, contact CI at 800-939-5911.
Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)
The CDSA, located at Amos Cottage, is charged with the responsibility of providing evaluations for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, and Service Coordination for their families. The agency runs on the interdisciplinary model and has a variety of specialists in the pediatric field. The Winston-Salem CDSA serves families in Forsyth, Stokes, Davie, Surry, Yadkin and Davidson counties. The CDSA is operated under a contractual agreement between Wake Forest University Medical School and North Carolina’s Infant-Toddler program. There is no fee for evaluation and Service Coordination services. For more information, call (336) 713-7412.
Disability Rights North Carolina
Disability Rights North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Raleigh. Its team of attorneys, advocates, paralegals and support staff provide advocacy and legal services at no charge for people with disabilities across North Carolina. As the state’s federally mandated protection and advocacy system, Disability Rights North Carolina is charged with protecting the rights of children and adults with disabilities living in North Carolina. For assistance, contact Disability Rights NC at 919-856-2195 or email: info@disabilityrightsnc.org .
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC)
ECAC is a private non-profit organization that is operated by and staffed primarily with parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. ECAC is committed to improving the lives and education of ALL children through a special emphasis on children with disabilities. ECAC affirms the right of all individuals, from all backgrounds and cultures, with or without disabilities, to an appropriate education and other needed services. ECAC seeks to make that right a reality by providing information, education, outreach, and support to and for families with children across the state of North Carolina. To learn about the information and resources ECAC provides, call them at 704-892-1321.
Exceptional Families
Parents of children with special needs meet with a guest “expert” to discuss topics of interest, share experiences, and learn from each other. The program meets ten months of year on the last Thursday of the month at Little Creek Recreation Center in Winston-Salem. Childcare and a light supper are available with advance notice. Click here to view the speaker schedule. Call Chris Gentry at 336-703-4289 or email chrisfsn@thecfec.org to register.
Family Support Network of Greater Forsyth (FSN)
The Family Support Network of Greater Forsyth believes that the greatest asset that a child with special needs can have is a strong support system. FSN strives to strengthen families and to enhance the lives of children with special needs by working with all members of their families and the professionals who serve them. FSN provides services free of charge to family members of children with special needs as well as others who care for them, including guardians, professionals, and caregivers. To learn about the information and resources provided by FSN, call them at (336) 924-5301.
Imprints Cares
Imprints Cares is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency committed to helping families with young children thrive. They help families nurture and prepare their children for success through individual and group parent education, collaborations, and referrals. Through their programs, they support parents in our community because they believe that family is critical to the success and well-being of every child, and that parents are children’s first and best teachers. Imprints can show parents how to make the most of their children’s early learning experiences. Intensive services include home visits for families from pregnancy to preschool, developmental screenings and strategies for school readiness, and after school programs that provide children with easily accessible and developmentally appropriate care. To learn about the information and resources provided by Imprints call (336) 722-6296.
Innovations Waiver (Previously CAP I/DD)
The North Carolina Innovations Waiver provides services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a life in the community of their choice, which includes where they live, how they spend their day, have fun and build relationships. Waivers provide access to Medicaid funding for eligible individuals for whom states may “waive” certain Medicaid requirements. Provisions include support resources necessary for the family to meet the consumer’s needs without undue emotional, financial, or physical stress. There is limited funding available and a wait list for this program. To have your child evaluated for eligibility for the waiver and to be placed on the waitlist, send an email stating that you’d like your child placed on the Innovation Waiver wait list to Registry@CardinalInnovations.org or call (800) 939-5911.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Apply for Help Online or call 1-866-219-LANC (5262)
North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP)
The NCATP is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities. They promote independence for people with disabilities through access to technology. For info, contact 336-716-8030.
Parks and Recreation: Special Populations Programs provides many programs for different ages and interests. Some of the programs include: Unique Seniors; Aquabilities (offered in July); Community Reintegration; Helping Hands; Sittercise; Life Skills (Spring & Fall); Friday Socialites; and more.
Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center
Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center provides quality, professional equine assisted activities for both children and adults with special needs. Equine-assisted activities help to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, and motor development as well as emotional well being. For more info, call 336-922-6426.
Social Security Administration
The SSA pays disability benefits under two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Contact 877-402-0828.
Special Olympics – Forsyth County
Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics with a vision that individuals with intellectual disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activity than many experts believed possible. Special Olympics North Carolina is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world with nearly 40,000 registered athletes who train and compete in year-round programs in 19 different sports. The program is run by the Winston-Salem Recreations & Parks Department. Contact them at 336-727-2425.
The Centers for Exceptional Children
The Centers for Exceptional Children (The CFEC) are comprised of The Children’s Center and The Special Children’s School. While serving more than 220 children between the ages of birth and eleven, The CFEC focuses significant resources and attention on the needs of each child and his or her family. The CFEC strives to care for children with developmental delays, orthopedic disabilities, and/or other long-term chronic health impairments to prepare them to lead independent, productive, and fulfilling lives.
Triad First In Families (TFIF)
TFIF leverages community resources and/or provides cash assistance to meet the needs of children and adults who have disabilities. The focus is on needs for which there are no other funding sources. The PDSSN provides funds through TFIF for families in Forsyth, Davie, Davidson. Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin Counties. Net income limitations. Call (336) 757-8721 for more information
