Welcome to the Union County Local
Interagency Coordinating Council Web site! to the Union County Local
Interagency Coordinating Council Web site!
Serving children birth to five with disabilities and their families.
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Newly Revised Resource Manual
Now Available
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Our council has put together a resource manual for families of children
with special needs. In it, you will find everything from therapy
services to respite services to recreation and leisure opportunities. It
will be updated from time to time. If you are a provider and would like
to be included in the manual, please contact Stephanie Finley at
sfinleycdts@carolina.rr.com. To open the manual, please CLICK HERE. |
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The Power of a
Parent...
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Union County LICC was established to help North Carolina State and Local agencies collaborate to better serve children zero to five with disabilities and their families. Parents are also invited to come to the table to bring their
perspective, concerns, and suggestions on ways to improve early intervention services, such as the Exceptional Children's Preschool Program offered by Union County Schools, and
therapeutic services offered by Children's Developmental
Services Agency. They are mandated by law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C and Part B-619) but how they are administered is up to you, the Parent!
So, "What's in it for me?", you ask. Parents will:
- Be informed of changes in the early intervention programs that affect the services your child receives
- Develop relationships with local professionals who work in the early intervention industry
- Connect with other parents and support groups that share similiar concerns
- Have peace of mind knowing you have made a difference, not only in the life of your child but in the COMMUNITY!
If you are interested in
joining the LICC, you are welcome to
attend our next meeting. Meetings
are held the 1st Thursday of the
month, 9:30-11:00am at the Union County Community
Action Building, office of Head Start. For directions click on the map below. We look forward to your participation!
To contact the Union County LICC
click here.
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Click on the Calendar
for Events
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LICC Members & Contact Info
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AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....
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Is your child typical? |
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Child development is similar for most children. However, certain circumstances can interfere with development. Sometimes, a genetic disorder can cause delayed development. Premature birth is another contributing factor to developmental delay.
Even a child born to young parents can development at a slower rate.
There are five different areas of development: Gross Motor, Social/ Emotional, Cognitive, Speech and Language, and Fine Motor. Some children may be delayed in only one area while others are delayed in all four.
Child development is not the same for all children. For a list of developmental milestones, Click here.
All states offer early intervention programs to children who have or are at risk of having special needs. If you are concerned about your child's development, please request a free evaluation by contacting one of the following:
For children 0-3, contact Child Development Services Agency at 704-282-9928 or 800-230-6891 or email Teresa Gillespie.
For children 3-5, contact UCPS EC Preschool Program at 704-282-6259 or email Glenda Rape.
You can learn more about these programs by visiting the North Carolina Early Intervention website by clicking here.
Early intervention is better earlier than later!
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Union County MAC
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Union County MAC (Mobility & Access for Children) is a new
chapter of National AMBUCS . UC MAC
evaluates and fits children with adaptive tricycles, called
AmTrykes. There are various accessories such as lateral
supports, seat belts, knee blocks, pedal & hand straps to
name a few. These trikes can be adapted to suit even
significantly involved children and range in sizes small
enough for a 3 year old all the way up.
Once a child is fitted with a tricycle, the child's name
goes on the wish list. UC MAC raises money to purchase the
tricycle which is given to the child free of charge.
AmTrykes cost approximately $500-600 each. UC MAC is a
non-profit organization so all donations are tax deductible.
These special tricycles offer various benefits to the rider.
One benefit is the independence it offers children who may
otherwise be confined to a wheelchair or walker. It means
the difference between being able to play with other
children and watching from the window.
Susan Bessey, owner of Childworks Therapy in Monroe, NC,
began this chapter to serve Union and the surrounding
counties. If you are interested in receiving a tricycle for
your child and would like to schedule an appointment for an
evaluation, please contact Susan Bessey at 704-575-2670 or
email her at Childworks Therapy. |
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UCPS EC Parent Night!
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Union Co Public Schools Exceptional Children ("EC")
Department and the EC Parent Task Force have established EC
Parent Night. Parents of children in the Pre-K program all
the way thru 12th grade are invited. This event is held
twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall. The
location vary each time but typically is held at a centrally
located high school in the county. It lasts approximately 2
hours, from 7-9 pm.
This is an opportunity for parents to meet EC Department
staff, School Therapy Supervisors, School Psycologists, and
other school staff that offer services to students with
special needs. There will be a keynote speaker followed by
break-out sessions covering various topics such as advocacy,
related services, and transitions. At the Spring Parent
Night, Glenda Rape will speak to parents of 2-year-old
children in the Infant-Toddler Program about the transition
into the Pre-K Program once their child turns 3. At the Fall
Parent Night, an Elementary Education Specialist will be on
hand to offer information to parents whose children will
transition into Kindergarten the following school year.
Your Child Service Coordinator or Pre-K teacher will give
you an invitation several weeks prior to the event to let
you know the time and location. Please plan to attend. We
look forward to meeting you! |
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Testimonials |
| If you have had a good experience with the CDSA or the EC Preschool Program, please share your success story with us by email. Click here
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What do I do now? What to do if your child is not typical
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Has your child recently received a diagnosis
that could possibly affect their overall development?
Are you wondering where to turn? Where to begin to seek
help in understanding all of the new information you
have been given? How it will affect your child’s
education? What can be done now? Well, you have come to
the right place! Below are some suggestions of services,
contacts, and hope. Let’s get started.
If your child is under the age of three, the service
agency designed to provide specialized assistance
through service coordination, goal planning,
information, support, educational testing, and referrals
is the Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA).
If you call 704-282-9928, someone will be able to assist
you immediately in learning what is available for your
child/family as well as teaming up with you to help make
that plan happen.
If your child is three or older, your initial contact
for information, referrals, eligibility criteria,
educational testing, planning, and services is the Union
County Exceptional Children’s Preschool Program. Their
contact number is 704-282-6259. Service Coordination for
ages three through five is not available through this
preschool program, but is available through the Union
County Health Department. Simply call 704-296-4830 and
speak with Child Service Coordinator, Pam Demarest.
Service Coordination is key to taking advantage of every
available resource.
What if your child’s diagnosis is medically based? You
may consider contacting the Community Alternatives
Program for Children (CAP-C). they are located in the
Union County Department of Social Services. You can call
or contact them via e-mail. Simply click on the link in
the website listing. CAP-C provides services such as
nursing interventions and respite care for medically
fragile children in order to improve the quality of life
for the child and the family.
If your child has been diagnosed with a visual or
hearing impairment, you may start your search for
information and services by contacting the CDSA or Union
County Exceptional Children’s Program (determined by
child’s age); or you may choose to contact the
specialized services agencies directly. For questions
and services for children who have visual impairments,
contact the Governor Morehead Preschool Program. For
questions and information on services for children who
have hearing impairments, you may contact the NC
Preschool for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Both agencies have direct contact links in the website
listings above.
Another point to consider is connecting with other
parents and families who are going through the same
thing you are going through or others who are farther
along in their journey. Sharing our experiences, our
frustrations, our hopes, etc. to those who can tangibly
understand can be a very positive experience. There are
multiple support groups available throughout our area.
Your Child Service Coordinator or LICC contact can
direct you or you may want to consider contacting the
Family Support Network directly. Their contact
information is also available via the website and
contact listing above.
Your child needs you more than ever. Your own health and
well being is just as important to your child as their
own. If you need help getting life back on track, don’t
hesitate to reach out. Know that it is okay for you,
family members (including siblings), and friends to be
struggling with the fact that a child you love has a
disability. It doesn’t mean the child is loved any less
or you are a bad parent. It simply means life is going
to be different for a while. Carolina Developmental
Therapy Services specializes in providing professional
counseling services to individuals with special needs as
well as the families who love them.
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What we've been up to:
LICC Meeting Minutes
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If you would like to receive a copy of the minutes from the
Union Co. LICC monthly meeting, please request them by
emailing Smokie Brawley
You will be added to the listserve and will automatically
receive the minutes beginning the following month.
Please note: Union County LICC will meet at least 9 times
per year. We will not meet in the months of July or August
due to the increase in referrals to the CDSA and the EC
Pre-K. We resume meetings in September. We may also cancel
meetings due to inclement weather or other unavoidable
circumstances. |
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Thank you for visiting
the LICC website! |
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