2026-01-14T05:30:14-08:00 2025-09-30 561688300 Foard and Company PA 1347 Harding Place Charlotte NC 28204 990 2024-10-01 581715420 Exceptional Childrens Assistance Center Inc EXCE 7048921321 907 Barra Row Ste 103 Davidson NC 28036 Aimee Combs Executive Dir. 2026-01-14 true true Garrett Summers P02001620 7043721515 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Aimee Combs 907 Barra Row Ste 103 Davidson NC 28036 1884378 false X WWW.ECAC-PARENTCENTER.ORG X 1986 NC The Exceptional Childrens Assistance Center (ECAC) is a statewide, non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of children with disabilities and special health care needs. At ECAC our work is guided and informed by our core values and principles that are the foundation of our workplace. We are an organization that works to make everyone feel valued and accepted. We maintain an open-minded approach when assisting families and working with the community and each other to establish trust. ECAC helps families in navigating and understanding health systems, early intervention, special education and the transition to adulthood. In addition, ECAC prepares youth with disabilities for the transition to adulthood by providing training on job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, financial literacy, workplace readiness and more. We are parents of children with disabilities who support other parents of children with disabilities ages birth to 26, youth with disab 12 12 25 14 0 1764883 1853964 0 0 27219 30414 1792102 1884378 0 0 1276325 1277127 0 0 516180 403605 1792505 1680732 -403 203646 339711 520102 115871 92616 223840 427486 X The Exceptional Childrens Assistance Center (ECAC) is a statewide, non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of children with disabilities and special health care needs. At ECAC our work is guided and informed by our core values and principles that are the foundation of our workplace. We are an organization that works to make everyone feel valued and accepted. We maintain an open-minded approach when assisting families and working with the community and each other to establish trust. ECAC helps families in navigating and understanding health systems, early intervention, special education and the transition to adulthood. In addition, ECAC prepares youth with disabilities for the transition to adulthood by providing training on job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, financial literacy, workplace readiness and more. We are parents of children with disabilities who support other parents of children with disabilities ages birth to 26, youth with disab false false 699978 ECAC serves as North Carolinas Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. ECAC has held this distinction since 1983. As the statewide PTI, ECAC supports families of children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs, from birth through age 26, in all 100 North Carolina counties.Our PTI staff provide information, training, and individualized support to families navigating early intervention, special education, and the transition to adulthood. We empower families and youth to understand their rights, make informed decisions, and become effective advocates. Services are provided in both English and Spanish.During the most recent reporting period, ECAC had over 27,900 individual contacts with families and professionals and conducted 233 training sessions statewide. ECACs website, www.ecac-parentcenter.org, received a record 373,044 page views, and our Facebook page has grown to over 22,100 followers, reflecting strong statewide engagement. 312472 Through a contract with the NC DHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation), ECAC provides pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities.During the reporting period, 175 students received individualized training and support in job exploration counseling, workplace readiness, postsecondary education counseling, and self-advocacy. These efforts expand the Divisions capacity to reach and effectively serve students with disabilities statewide. 225791 ECAC holds multiple contracts with the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Office of Exceptional Children and serves as a funded partner of the NC DeafBlind Project. An ECAC staff member serves as Co-Director of the DeafBlind Project, supporting family engagement and providing specialized resources and assistance to families of children with DeafBlindness.Through the NC Systemic Improvement Plan (NC SIP) grant, ECAC engages a cadre of family leaders who speak to pre-service education majors at participating universities about the importance of family engagement. ECAC collaborates with DPI staff to develop trainings and resources for educators to increase family engagement by promoting positive home and school interactions and activities. 144461 All Other Programs Expenses ECAC is a member of the Region B National Parent Technical Assistance (RPTAC) Network, supporting 25 federally funded parent centers across 12 southeastern statesfrom Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. Through a contract with Parent to Parent of Georgia, an ECAC staff member serves as Co-Director of the Region B PTAC.In this role, ECAC provides board training, strategic planning, and technical assistance on topics such as reaching underserved families, nonprofit governance, fiscal management, and program evaluation.To ensure ECACs work remains family-centered and youth-driven, we engage the Family Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Teams. These advisory groups offer feedback, co-create materials, co-present trainings, and help plan events and outreach activities. ECAC continually seeks opportunities for families to use their lived experience to improve systems of care for families and youth.Family engagement and leadership are woven into every aspect of ECACs work. We are recognized as a state leader in family engagement, leadership development, and family-centered care. ECAC staff participate in more than 30 local, state, and national initiatives to improve outcomes for families and youth.The Family Engagement Manager coordinates ECACs multiple projects in this area and leads our annual Family Engagement Month activities each November. This includes collaboration with community partners and securing a Governors Proclamation recognizing November as Family Engagement Month. ECAC also provides training and technical assistance to organizations and schools on authentic family-engagement best practices. 81382 ECAC operates as North Carolinas federally funded Family-to-Family Health Information Center, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program provides one-on-one assistance to families and practitioners to promote optimal health and well-being for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families.We advance systems of care that ensure families and health professionals work in partnership at all levels of shared decision-making. ECAC disseminates health-related information, training, and guidance to families and professionals, supporting collaboration and informed participation in healthcare planning. 38828 Through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Children and Youth Branch, ECAC administers stipends and expense reimbursements to families who participate in or are trained in evidence-informed strategies designed to reach and support more families statewide.This initiative helps families strengthen self-sufficiency and engagement through participation in Title V-funded activities. ECAC participates in the Innovative Approaches 2.0 Initiative, designed to improve systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln Counties. This initiative emphasizes a family-driven systems-change approach, ensuring that families play a central role in identifying and implementing community improvements that enhance care and access for CYSHCN.During the reporting period, ECAC worked to strengthen systems of care in two key focus areas:1.Health Care Transition supporting youth with special health care needs and families as they move from pediatric to adult care systems.2.Emergency Preparedness improving systems and community responses to ensure the safety and well-being of CYSHCN in emergency situations.Through this initiative, ECAC continues to promote collaborative, sustainable improvements in service delivery and family engagement in Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln Counties. 264671 1502912 true false false false false false false false false false true false false true false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 15 0 true 25 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 12 12 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NC X X X Jana Kranz 7049907288 907 BARRA ROW SUITE 103 DAVIDSON NC 28036 Aimee Combs Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 91230 0 1769 Jessica Aguilar Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gaile Osborne Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Antonio Blow Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gwen Bartley Chairman 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Laura Hall Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Latisha R Stuckey Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kim Sellers Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Mayia Warren Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Linda M Hughes Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Donita Johnson Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Tameeka Williams-Burchette Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Pamela Eason Quick Board Member 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 91230 1769 0 false false false 0 1657570 196394 1853964 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Other Income 29814 29814 Training income 600 600 30414 1884378 30414 0 0 0 0 92999 83699 9300 0 968650 876706 91944 0 215478 194216 21262 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 47492 34996 12496 0 0 0 0 19923 19923 41708 39986 1722 0 0 0 0 575 575 0 Telephone 127273 127273 Meeting & Workshops 102883 102578 305 Supplies & Materials 27691 12501 15190 Educational Material 17174 12507 4667 18886 18450 436 1680732 1502912 177820 0 202751 299790 10755 10793 54584 136257 929 619 0 0 0 0 21310 25679 13558 13558 741 0 0 0 0 0 48641 46964 339711 520102 102192 70222 13679 22394 115871 92616 X 221844 427486 1996 223840 427486 339711 520102 203646 X false true X true false X 1532470 1622988 1903846 1764883 1853964 8678151 0 0 1532470 1622988 1903846 1764883 1853964 8678151 0 8678151 1366 59 378 1803 0 28579 32984 27219 30414 119196 8799150 0.98620 0.98890 X 4007 4007 6718 6718 2833 2833 Deposit for unemployment clamis 46964 46964 1884378 1884378 1884378 1680732 1680732 1680732 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b Organization's Process to Review Form 990 the executive and finance committee of the board of directors receive an electronic copy of the form 990 for review and comment prior to submission. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Enforcement of Conflicts Policy: Annually, all ECAC board members are required to sign a Conflict of Interest Statement. Board members are encouraged to disclose any potential conflicts during board business. Annual training is provided on conflict-of-interest standards.Failure to disclose a conflict or benefiting from board action without disclosure may result in removal from the board. The Executive Committee enforces the policy; however, if a committee member is involved, the full board participates in enforcement.ECACs personnel policies also require staff to sign an annual Conflict of Interest Policy. New employees review and sign the policy during orientation. Violations result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, depending on severity. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a Compensation Process for Top OfficialThe compensation process for the top official compensation for the Executive Director is determined by the ECAC board of directors after an annual performance review. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b Compensation Process for OfficersECAC's bylaws prohibit compensation for board members and officers. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 The form 990 and IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter are available to the public upon request. Requests received by writing, phone, or email will be honored by directing requesters to GuideStar. Upon scheduling an appointment, the 990 will be provided at the appointed time. The current form 990 (not including schedule b), form 1023, and copies of previous form 990's can be requested. Hard copies can be requested from the ECAC office and ECAC reserves the right to charge a reasonable copying fee and cost of postage Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 No documents available to the public