Services for All Ages and Abilities
All Services
Abilities FIRST
Abilities FIRST is a new coaching program designed to assist persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) create a micro-enterprise or self-employment opportunity.
Community Parent Resource Center
FIRSTwnc has been funded as a CPRC by the U.S. Department of Education Office of
Special Education. This allows us to offer free training for parents on educational issues
and parental rights.
Innovation Waiver Services
The NC Innovations Waiver is a federally approved 1915 C Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver designed to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) who prefer to get long-term care services and support in their home or community, rather than in an institutional setting. As a Vaya Health and Partners Health Management provider, FIRSTwnc can provide our services through this waiver or private pay.
Specialized Consultative Services
With the FIRSTwnc’s Specialized Consultative Services, family members and support staff who care for individuals with developmental disabilities are provided with personalized behavioral outcome plans and well-designed interventions.
My FIRST Key
My FIRST Key is our Supported Living Program, which evolved from the desire to provide a safe and healthy residential environment with flexible, accessible, and self-directed support for those with disabilities. This program creates enhanced independence and well-being opportunities in and out of the home. Our team of direct support professionals fulfills this mission by facilitating quality services through their collective talents so they can make a difference every day.
Outpatient Therapy
FIRSTwnc clinicians support people with disabilities and their families to help meet their mental wellness needs. Our clinicians have expertise working with people of all ages and their families. They specialize in trauma-informed care, Theraplay, trauma play, child-centered play therapy, autism, and caregiver coaching.
PLAY Project
The Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) Project is a community-based autism training modality and early intervention program. It’s dedicated to empowering professionals and parents of autistic children to implement intensive, developmental interventions for young children with autism most effectively and efficiently.
Self-Direction (EOR)
Innovation Waiver participants and their family members curious about the self-direction model of waiver service delivery can learn from FIRSTwnc. Many of our staff are Employers of Record (EORs) and were among the first group trained to be EORs when the service was approved in 2014.
The SUNSHINE Project
The SUNSHINE Project offers consulting services for children with developmental delays and challenging social/emotional behaviors by implementing appropriate plans and providing age-appropriate interventions. Technical assistance may include training for childcare providers on child-specific needs and classroom strategies, specific diagnoses and disability issues, and consultation on an individual child’s needs for successful classroom inclusion in Buncombe County.