PO Box 8338, Asheville NC 28814 contact@wncdsa.org 828-490-1423

Family & Support Groups

Family Support Network (FSN)
http://www.missionchildrens.org/family-support-network.php
Sign up for newsletters http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=8upr4jjab&p=oi&m=1109510373019
Support group meetings are the 1st Tuesday of each month from 5:30pm at Mission Reuter Children’s Outpatient
Center, 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive Asheville, NC 28803 Dinner and childcare are provide http://www.fsnnc.org/
findlocal Statewide Family Support Network Directory.
NC START (Systematic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Respite and Treatment)
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/mhddsas/services/crisisservices/ncstart.htm

NC START provides prevention and intervention services to adults with intellectual and/or developmental
disabilities (IDD) and complex behavioral health needs. The first priority of NC START services is to provide
person centered supports that enable you to remain in your home or community placement during and after a
crisis. The program strives to provide effective and comprehensive crisis prevention and intervention services
within the community.

Children with Special Health Care Needs Help Line
https://www2.ncdhhs.gov/dph/wch/families/helplines.htm
Children with Special Health Care Needs Help Line 1-800-737-3028 or Email:CYSHCN.Helpline@dhhs.nc.gov.

The Sparc Network
http://thesparcnetwork.net/about/
The SPARC Network is designed to enhance personal and professional lives while keeping people in their home
community. We accomplish this goal utilizing three unique yet integrated strategies. Our Programs are designed
in collaboration with community partners such as Managed Care Organizations, the Department of Health and
Human Services, Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement and non-profits in order to fill gaps in services. Our
Administrative Support provides credentialing, billing and audit support to small therapeutic practices. And our
Staffing Division links job seekers with quality companies. Our unique culture has historically set us apart from
other agencies. We promote a positive, mission-based culture designed to develop strong professionals. Our
team culture provides support and accountability to each member, and we commit to focusing on Quality
Outcomes.

Buncombe Partnership for Children

About Us


We invest in the First 2,000 Days of a child’s life — in children ages 0-5 and their families by partnering with
local organizations to provide programs that: 1. improve the quality of early childhood education; 2. increase
access to affordable, high quality early care; 3. expand early literacy opportunities; and 4. provide family
support

Adverse Childhood Experiences
Experiences in Childhood Shape Our Lives

Home


ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences which occur prior to your 18th birthday. Examples of adverse
childhood experiences are physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as physical and emotional neglect.
They also include, having a parent who is mentally ill, an alcoholic or substance abuser, in jail, or a victim of
domestic violence, as well as the absence of a parent through divorce, death or abandonment. These are all
ACEs.

FAMILY AND CHILD SUPPORT GROUPS

Western North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance

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The mission of the Western North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance is to help create a community that will be
educated, supportive and inclusive of individuals with Down Syndrome. Which 17 counties does the Western
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance cover? Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood,
Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey.

Caring 4 Children
http://caring4children.org/our-programsrespite/respite/
A grant funded program for respite care for children and their families in Buncombe County

FIRST Parent Center
http://www.firstparentcenter.org/
FIRST provides persons with disabilities and their families with programs and advocacy to support and foster
healthy, inclusive and self-determined lives. FIRST provides a variety of training and support. They are free
with food and childcare included.

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center
http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/Default.aspx
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. We have an extremely diverse staff and strive to bring multiple
perspectives to our work. I hope our information reflects our commitment to ALL parents and ALL children and
collaboration intended to improve the education and lives of our children.
Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC)

Autism Society of North Carolina


Our local chapter meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30pm at Carolina Pediatric Therapies at

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE Classrooms 221 and 222 5 OAK STREET ASHEVILLE NC 28801 (828)
252-4781
Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/buncombechapterasnc/

Arms Around ASD
http://www.armsaroundasd.org/
https://www.facebook.com/armsaroundasd/
Paws on ASD is an Asheville resource center providing therapies for families who have a child on the autism
spectrum. The mission of Paws on ASD is to facilitate the growth and healing of the family as a whole. We are
currently offering four types of therapies on a limited basis. With sufficient funding we will open a resource
center and provide a wider range of services for more clients.