Family Support Network Of Central Carolina

FSNCC BELIEVES EVERY CHILD DESERVES A THRIVING FAMILY. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND CARING CONNECTIONS TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY AND THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE A NICU JOURNEY.

NICU FAMILY SUPPORT OFFERS SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND CARING CONNECTIONS TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF INFANTS IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AND THOSE BORN WITH DISABILITIES. COMPONENTS INCLUDE BEDSIDE SUPPORT FROM STAFF MEMBERS WHO ALL HAD A PERSONAL NICU JOURNEY, A HOME VISITATION PROGRAM FOR THE MOST FRAGILE BABIES IN THE NICU, AN EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM (BOOKS FOR BABIES), HELP FINDING RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ASSISTANCE WITH BABY SUPPLIES, MEAL AND GAS VOUCHERS. LAST YEAR WE SERVED OVER 450 FAMILIES AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTRUCTURE OUR PROCESS TO FOLLOW SAFETY GUIDELINES DURING THE PANDEMIC. WE HAVE PROVIDED OVER 45 NEW PACK AND PLAYS FOR SAFE SLEEP SINCE NICU BABIES ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR A SIDS DEATH AND PROVIDED OVER 70 BABY BOXES FOR BABIES LEAVING CENTRAL NURSERY WITHOUT A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP AFTER DISCHARGE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ANOTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ALLOWS US TO EXTEND OUR ASSISTANCE TO NICU FAMILIES BY OFFERING A MONTHLY SUPPLY OF DIAPERS/WIPES AND A FOOD BOX FOR UP TO 8 FAMILIES. FAMILIES CAN UTILIZE THIS SERICE FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER DISCHARGE.

COMMUNITY PROGRAM - FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE A CHILD AT ANY AGE, WITH ANY DIAGNOSIS CAN ACCESS OUR SERVICES FOR FREE. WE HOST 5 MONTHLY VIRTUAL PARENT GROUPS AND OFFER SIBLING SUPPORT GROUPS TWICE PER MONTH. NEW THIS YEAR IS OUR BLACK PARENT OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES GROUP. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER A VIRTUAL SIBSHOPS MEETING TWICE PER MONTH FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE A BROTHER OR SISTER WITH A DISABILITY AND HOPE TO TRANSITION TO IN PERSON SIBSHOPS FOLLOWING OUR COVID SAFETY PROTOCOL BY 1/2022. WE SERVED OVER 150 FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. OUR PARENT GROUPS INCLUDE THE MOMS GROUP (SPECIAL NEEDS), THE DADS GROUP (SPECIAL NEEDS), RARE DISEASE GROUP, AFTER THE NICU GROUP AND THE BLACK PARENT GROUP.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - WE HAVE OVER 80 PARENT MENTORS AVAILABLE TO BE MATCHED WITH ANOTHER FAMILY WHO HAS A CHILD WITH A SIMILAR DIAGNOSIS OR EXPERIENCED A NICU STAY. OUR STAFF CAN HELP FAMILIES FIND RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY FOR BASICS SUCH AS FOOD ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING, HOUSING AND ADVOCACY. WE SERVE ON SEVERAL COMMITTEES WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND IN THE COMMUNITY.