Category: Latest News

🎉 3rd Annual A Day at The Mills! 🎉

📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025

🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

📍 Rocky Mount Mills – 1151 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, NC

3rd Annual A Day at The Mills — a joyful morning celebrating Exceptional Children and their families! 💙

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🧩 What to Expect:

• Sensory-friendly activities for the whole family
• Books & Beyond 📚
• Arts & Crafts Zone 🎨
• Construction & Touch-A-Truck Areas 🚜🚒
• Outdoor Games & Scavenger Hunt
• Costume Parade led by Wool E. Bull, Sparky the Fire Dog, and more! 👻🎭

🎭 Costume Parade starts at 11:00 AM at The Power House — wear your favorite costume, bring one, or create a mask at the Hope Program table!

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🎈 Check-In Details:

Start your morning at the Sparkling Creation Balloon Arch where you can register and grab your Centene Event Bag filled with goodies and everything you’ll need to enjoy the day!

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💬 Haven’t Registered Yet?

You can pre-register online or sign up when you arrive.

🔗 Click here to Pre-Register

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Whether you’re coming for the games, resources, or quality time with your loved ones, there’s something for everyone at this free, family-friendly celebration!

#ADayAtTheMills #ExceptionalChildren #FamilyFun #CommunityEvent #RockyMountMills #SensoryFriendly

Apologies, but due to low attendance, the meeting has been canceled. Next meeting will be on November 21st.

📢 Reminder: Upcoming Meeting – Friday, October 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM

📍 Englewood United Methodist Church

Join us for a wonderful evening filled with food, learning, and connection! We’ll start with pizza and dessert, followed by our children and youth Social Interaction groups, led by facilitator Shannon Barger.

🎤 We’ll also enjoy special presentations from our talented members, Erik and Allen, and open the floor for group sharing and questions.

✨ Door prizes will be ready—and if all goes well, our next meeting will be BINGO night! 🎉

📲 Please RSVP by Thursday, October 23 by texting (252) 450-5000 with the number of family members or friends you’ll be bringing.

Let’s make it a night to remember—and bring a friend! 💙

#TwinCountyAutism #CommunitySupport #FamilyMeeting #SocialInteraction #PizzaNight #BingoNext

🍕🎉 Join Us Friday, September 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM! 🎉🍕

We’re looking forward to gathering together for another great evening of community and fun! Dinner will be provided — Pizza Inn and nuggets are on the menu! 😋🍗🍕

After we eat, we’re inviting our amazing kids to share their talents or interests with the group! Whether it’s art, music, a collection, or a special skill — kids can take about 5 minutes to present something they love. 💫

🧠 We’ll also hear from Shannon Barger, who will be sharing helpful information about our upcoming Social Interaction Group.

📲 Please text or call (252) 450-5000 to let us know how many will be attending — it helps us plan food and seating for everyone!

We can’t wait to see you there! 💙

#TwinCountyAutism #SeptemberMeeting #FamilySupport #PizzaAndPresentation #CommunityConnection

📅 Date: Friday, August 22nd, 2025

🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: Englewood United Methodist Church, Rocky Mount

🍽️ Food and Fun for Everyone!

RSVP with the number of people attending.

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP

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On Tuesday evening, February 25, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its budget resolution, which includes cutting $880,000 billion from Medicaid over the next ten years. The resolution now goes to the U.S. Senate for a vote.

The Medicaid cuts included in the House budget resolution will directly and negatively impact people with autism in North Carolina and across the country. Medicaid provides vital healthcare and community-based supports and services. It is often the only funding source for long-term support services that make it possible for individuals with autism to live and work in their community rather than in more costly institutions.  

What does this mean for North Carolina?

In North Carolina, 65% of funding for Medicaid services comes from the federal government. Caps, or reductions, in Medicaid funding from the federal government will mean cuts to services to people with autism and other intellectual or developmental disabilities in our state.

Medicaid services in North Carolina

In North Carolina, Medicaid pays for:

• Home- and community-based services through waivers like the Innovations Waiver and other community services like 1915i. 
• Services provided in intermediate care facilities, group homes, and other residential settings. 
• Health care (routine and emergency care), rehabilitation services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dental care, eye care, and medications.  
• Clinical treatment such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and outpatient/in-patient therapy.  
• In-school service for some Medicaid-eligible students. 

Act now!

The time is now! As the U.S. House resolution moves to the U.S. Senate for a vote, you can play a vital role in protecting Medicaid. Contact your U.S. Senators (Senator Thom Tillis, 202-224-6342, and Senator Ted Budd, 202-224-3154) and tell them: 

• I am a constituent from [your NC city, zip code] and I oppose Medicaid cuts and caps. 
• I am a person with autism/a family member/a professional in the autism field.  
• Medicaid is a lifeline for people on the autism spectrum. My family depends on Medicaid for services/supports. (Share a brief personal story.) 
• Do not cut or cap Medicaid funding. North Carolina already has a 10+ year waiting list for waiver services. Cuts to Medicaid will harm people who rely on Medicaid and make it harder for North Carolina to provide care. 

Visit our Medicaid Advocacy webpage for more information.

Your voice matters! Thank you for advocating for North Carolinians with autism. 

The Autism Society of North Carolina 

📢 Update: Our May 9th event has been canceled due to low expected attendance. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and hope to see you at a future gathering. Stay tuned for updates on our next meeting.

Due to the holidays, we will not have a meeting in April — but don’t worry, the fun is just around the corner!

🎉 Our next meeting will be held on Friday, May 9th, and you won’t want to miss it! After we eat, we’re kicking off an awesome Family Fun Time with bubbles and foam fun! 🫧

🧼 Be ready to dive into the bubbles — and don’t forget to bring extra clothes! 👕👖

📲 If you or someone you know would like to attend, please text or call Barbara at (252) 450-5000 to let us know you’re coming!

#TwinCountyAutism #FamilyFun #BubblesAndFoam #AutismSupport #CommunityTogether

We are excited to share some sweet news! Freddie’s has chosen us to receive a special ice cream bar, making our March meeting extra special! This is a treat you won’t want to miss. Also, the Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC), will provide parents with effective tips and strategies to help children manage emotions, solve problems, and develop positive social skills. For more details, see the previous post.

March 28th Meeting Details

📅 Date: Friday, March 28th, 2025

🕕 Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Location: Englewood United Methodist Church, Rocky Mount

🍽️ Light dinner will be provided!

🍦 Enjoy a special ice cream bar from Freddie’s!

👶 Childcare services available upon request!

RSVP by March 26th!

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP.

Please note: 🚨 There will be no April meeting, but we will be back in May with more great events!

We can’t wait to see you there! 😊💙

Help Your Child Learn to Solve Problems and Get Along with Others

Parenting can be challenging, especially when dealing with a child who exhibits aggressive behavior. If you have a child between birth and age 5, we invite you to join the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Discussion Group for an insightful session on Fighting & Aggression.

This session, hosted by Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC), will provide parents with effective tips and strategies to help children manage emotions, solve problems, and develop positive social skills.

Event Details:

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 18

🕠 Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: In-person at DEPC

📌 Registration Required

What’s Included?

✅ Dinner & Child Care Provided – No need to worry about meals or childcare during the session.

✅ Weekly Gas Cards & Play Incentives – Get rewarded while learning valuable parenting strategies!

How to Register?

📌 Scan the QR code on the flyer (if you have a copy)

📧 Email: Amber Payton at [email protected]

📞 Call: 252-985-4300 (ext. 233)

Space is limited, so register today!

Location Information:

📍 Down East Partnership for Children

215 Lexington Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27801

☎ 252-985-4300

🌍 Website: www.depc.org

This program is supported by NC SNAP-ED, an initiative funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights on how to manage aggression in young children and foster a peaceful home environment. Join us and let’s work together to create positive parenting experiences!

📅 The Twin County Autism group will meet at 6 PM on Friday, February 28th, 2025, at Englewood United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount.

🍽️ Light dinner will be provided!

👶 Childcare services are available upon request!

📲 Call or text Barbara at 252-450-5000 to RSVP.

We can’t wait to see you there! 😊

New complaints follow years of a worsening shortage of special education teachers that’s leaving schools without qualified faculty and students without properly provided services.

More details (WRAL News): https://www.wral.com/story/nc-schools-are-struggling-to-hire-special-education-teachers-parents-are-filing-complaints/21825533/