In 1989 the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust awarded the Society a $300,000 grant to establish a “revolving loan” fund that would help fund construction of new group homes for people with autism. in the following years the grant enabled ASNC to develop, construct, and provide property management services for 19 group homes and apartments for children and adults with autism. For each facility, a local operating board provides clinical, financial, and human resource oversight.

In 1996, ASNC purchased and began operating its first group home in Elizabeth City. For this home the Society provides the clinical, financial and HR oversight. The home serves 3 adults with autism. Since that time, two additional homes have been opened, one in Raleigh and one in Fayetteville. These homes provide residential services for 7 individuals with autism.

In December of 1999, the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust awarded ASNC another $300,000 grant to be used to develop additional homes in Raleigh, Fayetteville, and New Bern. The new homes will serve approximately 9-10 adults with autism.

Despite the availability of these services, there is a great need for additional residential options for people with autism in our state. The Autism Society of North Carolina is actively working with state agencies to develop a plan to address the residential needs of persons with autism. A position paper concerning the issue was presented to our membership at the 1999 Annual Conference and published in the Winter 2000 edition of our newsletter, The Spectrum. If you would like to review a copy of the paper please click here.

ASNC receives numerous calls from parents seeking residential placements for their adult children. We maintain a list of residential service providers in North Carolina as well as a waiting list from which new homes are developed as funding becomes available. To receive more information about residential options, contact the ASNC state office at 1-800-442-2762 (NC only) or 919-743-0204 or e-mail your residential concerns to our advocacy staff.