What is TLC Family Connect?
When navigating intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) services feels overwhelming, TLC Family Connect has the answer. Our team offers clear guidance, trusted referrals, and 1:1 support to help families understand local services and connect with the right providers across seven NC counties. If you’re looking for a place to start, or a partner to guide you forward, fill out our intake form below and a Family Navigator will contact you.
Contact
Ruth Garfinkel
familyconnect@nctlc.org
(984) 335-0901
Location
747 Chappell Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
Monday-Friday
9 am-5 pm
All ages served
Free service
We’re Here to Help You
Caring for a child or adult with an I/DD can feel overwhelming. TLC Family Connect is here to walk alongside families and caregivers, offering guidance, resources, and real connections that make a difference.
What We Offer
Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, we help families and caregivers:
• Understand and access local I/DD services
• Learn through local town halls, workshops, and online tools
• Get referrals for other needs like food, housing, or transportation
• Find the right providers and programs
• Connect with other families and community resources
Who We Serve
Families and caregivers of children or adults with I/DD in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Orange, Harnett, Mecklenburg, and Cumberland counties in North Carolina.
What Makes TLC Family Connect Unique?
- 1:1 family navigation – personal guidance to help you access the right supports
- Local connections – we partner with trusted providers and family advocates
- Easy access to information – no jargon, just real answers and useful tools
- Stronger together – build community and support through partnerships and events
The Community Table
An event series where we cultivate meaningful in-person relationships, spark new ideas and unexpected connections, and enable individuals and families to access personalized supports that meet their evolving needs.
Together at the Community Table, we will:
- Foster dialogue between families, caregivers, and system leaders.
- Highlight lived experiences to shape future programming.
- Identify barriers and opportunities for more equitable access to services.
Join us!
We welcome families and caregivers of children and adults with I/DD in our community, along with service providers, advocates, and community partners.
Register for our March events today!
Thursday, March 5, 2026
A Seat for Everyone
6-8 pm
Reality Ministries
916 Lamond Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Navigating Support Across Life Stages
10am-noon
TLC
739 Chappell Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
Why families attend:
— Amelia Abrams, Cary, NC
Family Navigation
For anyone who needs personalized support understanding or accessing services for individuals with I/DD. From understanding your options to finding trusted providers, connecting with other families, or accessing community resources our TLC Family Connect Family Navigator is here to support you. Fill out our intake form below to get connected to our team.
Resources for Families and Caregivers
CONNECT TO SERVICES AND RESOURCES
- Inclusion Connects community living guide is a NCDHHS initiative to connect people with I/DD to more choices and more access to services and supports.
- Alliance Health offers mental health, developmental disability and substance use disorder services to children and adults through a network of community providers in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Cumberland, Mecklenburg, Orange and Harnett counties. Or call 800-510-9132 Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Work Together NC offers an online search tool to check out the variety of services available for specific needs. Services for each county are organized into regions based on Local Management Entities (LME) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
- NCCare360 offers a free online tool from NC 211 to search for resources near you. Type in what you’re looking for and where you live to access NCCARE360’s directory of providers and service organizations across North Carolina. Or dial 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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First in Families of North Carolina empowers communities and helps families thrive with practical support, creative solutions, and lasting connections.
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The Autism Society of North Carolina improves the lives of individuals with autism, supports their families, and educates communities.
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The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) is an organization dedicated to empowering North Carolina families and improving the lives of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
CONNECT TO FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORTS
Connect with other families and caregivers through support groups, one-on-one connections, and more.
- The Family Support Network of North Carolina enhances the lives of children who have disabilities, mental health challenges, and special healthcare needs by providing parent to parent support, education, and caring connections to their families.
- We Will Walk With You helps families with children with disabilities thrive in the community through support groups, quality of life outcome planning, social activities, and other resource support.
CONNECT TO ADVOCACY
Learn about advocacy and how to share your voice for your family, your child or adult family member, yourself, and others in the disability community.
- North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities collaborates to ensure that people with I/DD and their families participate in the design of and have access to community services.
- Ability Leadership Project-North Carolina offers leadership training for adults with I/DD, family members of children and adults with I/DD, or professionals in the I/DD field. ALP-NC prepares individuals to be effective advocates.
- Leadership Alliance for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LAND) ensures that people with neurodevelopmental disabilities have full access to services that can help them with independent living, transition to employment, academic interventions, opportunity for social interactions, and overall improved mental health and well-being throughout the lifespan.
CONNECT TO SERVICES AND RESOURCES
- Inclusion Connects community living guide is a NCDHHS initiative to connect people with I/DD to more choices and more access to services and supports.
- Alliance Health offers mental health, developmental disability and substance use disorder services to children and adults through a network of community providers in Wake, Durham, Johnston, Cumberland, Mecklenburg, Orange and Harnett counties. Or call 800-510-9132 Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Work Together NC offers an online search tool to check out the variety of services available for specific needs. Services for each county are organized into regions based on Local Management Entities (LME) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
- NCCare360 offers a free online tool from NC 211 to search for resources near you. Type in what you’re looking for and where you live to access NCCARE360’s directory of providers and service organizations across North Carolina. Or dial 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
-
First in Families of North Carolina empowers communities and helps families thrive with practical support, creative solutions, and lasting connections.
-
The Autism Society of North Carolina improves the lives of individuals with autism, supports their families, and educates communities.
-
The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) is an organization dedicated to empowering North Carolina families and improving the lives of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
CONNECT TO FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORTS
Connect with other families and caregivers through support groups, one-on-one connections, and more.
- The Family Support Network of North Carolina enhances the lives of children who have disabilities, mental health challenges, and special healthcare needs by providing parent to parent support, education, and caring connections to their families.
- We Will Walk With You helps families with children with disabilities thrive in the community through support groups, quality of life outcome planning, social activities, and other resource support.
CONNECT TO ADVOCACY
Learn about advocacy and how to share your voice for your family, your child or adult family member, yourself, and others in the disability community.
- North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities collaborates to ensure that people with I/DD and their families participate in the design of and have access to community services.
- Ability Leadership Project-North Carolina offers leadership training for adults with I/DD, family members of children and adults with I/DD, or professionals in the I/DD field. ALP-NC prepares individuals to be effective advocates.
- Leadership Alliance for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LAND) ensures that people with neurodevelopmental disabilities have full access to services that can help them with independent living, transition to employment, academic interventions, opportunity for social interactions, and overall improved mental health and well-being throughout the lifespan.
