Key I/DD & TBI Caregiver Resources
I/DD & TBI Caregiver Resources in NC
If you care for an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in North Carolina, this page is your starting point. Below you will find free downloadable guides, plain-language explanations of the NC Innovations Waiver and 1915(i) services, respite options, guardianship information, and direct access to a care team that serves 56 counties.
Covenant Case Management Services is a CARF-accredited provider supporting more than 500 families across the state. Most caregivers arrive here with one of three questions: What services is my loved one eligible for? How do I get on the waiver list? Where can I get a break? Each section below answers one of those questions and links to the full guide. You can also browse our frequently asked questions or explore our how-to resources.
- 500+Families served
- 56NC counties
- 1,000+Current authorizations
- CARFAccredited provider
Start Here: Top Caregiver Resources
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NC Innovations Waiver Family Guide
Eligibility rules, the Registry of Unmet Needs, what the waitlist actually means, and which services the waiver covers.
Read the NC Innovations Waiver guide -
NC Medicaid 1915(i) Family Guide
The newer pathway that does not require a waiver slot. Who qualifies, what is covered, and how to request an assessment.
Read the 1915(i) services guide -
Caregiver Guides & Toolkits
Downloadable checklists for transition planning, guardianship, day program selection, and person-centered planning meetings.
Browse the caregiver toolkits -
Day Program & Employment Guide
How to evaluate a day program, what supported employment looks like, and what questions to ask on a tour.
Read the day program guide -
Guardian Duties in North Carolina
In North Carolina, a court-appointed guardian for an adult with I/DD may hold authority over personal decisions (guardian of the person), financial decisions (guardian of the estate), or both (general guardian). Guardians are responsible for arranging care, consenting to services, and filing an annual status report with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county of appointment.
Guardianship is not the only option. Supported decision-making agreements, health care powers of attorney, and representative payee arrangements can preserve more of your loved one’s autonomy while still providing the support they need. Disability Rights North Carolina publishes plain-language explanations of each alternative, and The Arc of North Carolina offers guardianship and supported decision-making services. A Covenant care manager can walk you through which option fits your family.
If you are weighing guardianship as part of a broader transition plan, our I/DD caregiver guides and toolkits include a step-by-step planning checklist.
Please note: This information is general and educational. It is not legal advice. Guardianship procedures vary by county and circumstance. Consult a North Carolina attorney about your specific situation.
Respite Care for NC Caregivers
Respite care provides short-term, temporary support so a primary caregiver can rest, work, travel, or attend to their own health. In North Carolina, respite may be funded through the Innovations Waiver, 1915(i) services, or state-funded dollars, depending on eligibility. The Administration for Community Living also funds caregiver respite programs through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
Covenant provides respite in the home and in community settings across 56 counties, with staff trained in the specific support needs of adults with I/DD and TBI. Explore our full range of I/DD and TBI services or contact our team to check eligibility.
Services Covenant Provides
Every service is built around the whole person and delivered by professionals who know North Carolina’s system.
- Community Living and Support (CLS) — in-home skill building for daily living, communication, and community participation
- Residential and Supported Living — safe housing that balances independence with consistent professional support
- Alternative Family Living (AFL) — matched placement in a trained host family’s home
- Respite Care — short-term relief for family caregivers
- Community Networking — structured connection to community life, volunteering, and social activity
- Specialized Consultative Services — nursing, behavioral, and therapeutic consultation
- Supported Employment — job discovery, placement, and on-the-job coaching
- Dream Center Day Program — structured daytime programming with planned enrichment activity
Official NC Caregiver Resources
These state agencies and advocacy organizations are the authoritative sources for eligibility rules, program changes, and rights information. Bookmark them alongside our guides.
- NC Medicaid Program eligibility, waiver information, and Tailored Plan enrollment
- NC Department of Health and Human Services State oversight of I/DD services and LME/MCO contacts
- NC Council on Developmental Disabilities Advocacy, systems change initiatives, and family leadership programs
- The Arc of North Carolina Local chapter support, guardianship services, and family advocacy
- Disability Rights North Carolina Legal advocacy and know-your-rights publications
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Clerk of Superior Court contacts and guardianship filing forms
- CARF International Verify accreditation status for any provider you are considering
- Administration for Community Living Federal caregiver support programs and the Eldercare Locator
- Medicaid.gov Home & Community-Based Services Federal rules behind waiver and 1915(i) programs
- Social Security Disability Benefits SSI and SSDI eligibility, applications, and representative payee
- NC Division of Aging and Adult Services Family caregiver support and adult protective services
More from Covenant
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get I/DD services for an adult in North Carolina?
Start by contacting the Tailored Plan or LME/MCO serving your county to request an eligibility screening. If your loved one qualifies, you will be connected to Tailored Care Management and added to the Registry of Unmet Needs for the Innovations Waiver. Covenant can guide you through each step. Contact our team to start.
What is the difference between the Innovations Waiver and 1915(i) services?
The Innovations Waiver funds intensive, long-term supports but has a limited number of slots and a waitlist. 1915(i) services are a Medicaid state plan benefit with no slot limit, covering supports like community living, respite, and supported employment for those who meet criteria. Compare both in our 1915(i) family guide.
How long is the NC Innovations Waiver waitlist?
Wait times vary by county and can extend several years. Being on the Registry of Unmet Needs does not prevent you from receiving 1915(i) or state-funded services in the meantime, and many families use both pathways. See the Innovations Waiver guide for details.
Who qualifies as a caregiver or guardian for an adult with I/DD?
A caregiver is anyone providing regular unpaid support, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or relative. A guardian is appointed by the Clerk of Superior Court and holds legal decision-making authority. You can be a caregiver without being a guardian.
Does Covenant Case Management Services serve my county?
Covenant serves 56 counties across North Carolina from our base in Albemarle, Stanly County. Call (704) 780-4552 to confirm coverage in your area.
Is there a cost to families?
Covenant services are billed through Medicaid, the Innovations Waiver, 1915(i), or state-funded dollars for those who qualify. There is no charge for an initial conversation about eligibility.
What is Tailored Care Management?
Tailored Care Management is North Carolina’s whole-person care coordination model for people with I/DD, TBI, or significant behavioral health needs. A care manager coordinates medical care, disability services, and community supports through a single point of contact.
Talk to Our North Carolina Team
You do not need to have your questions organized before you call. Tell us where you are, and we will tell you what is available.
- Phone: (704) 780-4552
- Email: info@covenantcms.com
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Address: 421 W. Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001