Exceptional Childrens Assistance Center Inc.

“The executive and finance committe of the board of directors received an electronic copy of the form 990 for review and comment prior to submission.”

“Each year, all members of the ecac board of directors are required to sign a conflict of interest statement that lists all business, volunteer, and personal relationships that have the potential of posing a conflict of interest with ecac business. In addition, board members are encouraged to identify any conflicts of interests as board business is being conducted, and the nomination committee considers possible conflicts during the process of selecting new board members. Board members who do not disclose a conflict of interest and/or have benefited from an ecac board action or management decision without the organization's knowledge will be removed from the board. The executive committee of the board of directors is responsible for enforcing the policy; however, in the case of a member of the executive committee, the entire board will participate. The ecac personnel policies also contain a conflict of interest policy. The policy is reviewed with all new staff members as a part of the staff orientation process, and staff members are required to sign the conflict of interest statement. The policy is periodically reviewed at staff meetings, and project managers are responsible for compliance over site. A staff member who does not follow the conflict of interest policy will either recieve a written warning or be terminated, depending on the seriousness of the infraction and degree of harm to ecac.”

“The ecac board of directors determined the executive director's salary based on a performance review. The board considered the range of salaries of executive directors of nc non-profit organizations of similar size and years of experience when determining the salary.”

“Ecac's officers are board volunteers and not compensated.”

“The form 990 and irs 501(c)(3) determination letter are available to the public upon request. Copies will be provided immediately in the case of in -person requests. Requests received by written, phone, fax, or e-mail means will be honored by directing the requestors to our website and guidestar. The current form 990 (not including schedule b), form 1023, conflict of interest policy, and the annual report can be found on the organization's website in adobe format. Copies of previous form 990's can be requested. Hard copies can be requested from the ecac office, and we reserve the right to charge a reasonable copying fee plus actual postage.”

“The exceptional children's assistance center (ecac) is a private non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of all children through a special emphasis on children with disabilities. Ecac affirms the right of all individuals, from all backgrounds and cultures, with or without disabilities, to an appropriate education and other needed services. We seek to make that right a reality by providing north carolina families with a variety of parent information, education, outreach, and support program and services. All parent training and information activities are designed to provide families with the information and skills they need to advocate for and access appropriate educational and other needed services.”

“Addition, ecac provides leadership training for families in the ncsip sites, provides information to teachers on engaging families, conducts webinars and workshops for both parents and teachers, provides technical assistance in assessing parent engagement and collaborating with identified institutions of higher education (ihe) to include the parent perspective in the pre-service curriculm. Other programs funded by the ncdpi contract include parent education on deaf/services, support and training to deaf-blind specialist and other specified projects as directed by the ncdpi for statewide impact.”

“Media. Information is available in both english and spanish and all services are free to parents. Last year the pti project responded to requests or provided services throughout north carlolina. Ecacparent education staff provided nearly 80,000 copies of effective practice materials and resources for nearly 16,000 parents, students, professionals, and other during this 12 month period at 68 exhibits and resource fairs, including 11 for 1,900 youth and families at transition to adulthood events. We also produced and provided an additional 7,015 topical packets of information, 10,000 ecac iep checklists in english and spanish to 16 leasat their request for distribution to families. Ecac's pti staf members responded to more than 16,212 individual requests from nc families and professionals.”

“Ecac's nc family to family health information center (f2fhic) provides information, tools, and support to families of children with special health care needs and the professionals who provide services to them. F2fhic is primarily funded by the us department of health and human services, health resources and services administration. This year the f2fhic provided educational opportunities through workshops, presentations, exhibits and our website; assisted parents and professionals through one-on-one assistance or arraining events; distributed pieces of informational materials on topics such as nc medicaid waiver program, affordable care act, private and public health insurance, and medical home; and worked with health care professionals and perscription assistance programs.”