The North Carolina Division of Services for the blind provides treatment, rehabilitiation, education and independent living alternatives for blind and visually impaired residents of Edgecombe County. A social worker for blind consumers is housed in the Department of Social Services and is available for information, referral and case management services. The federally funded program is based on income-eligibility and the current need for heat or cooling. The Modified Crisis Intervention Program is a temporary program that will run through June 2001. Similar to CIP, this program is focused on providing assistance to eligible families who experienced damage to their homes as a result of Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis.
Assistance is subject to the availability of funds.
County funds available once annually to provide minimal assistsance to an individual of family who is experiencing unanticipated needs in the area of prescription medication, rental assistance, and utilities. Limited assistance may also be available to families for burial when no other resources are available. This service is provided to an individual who is alleged to be in need of a guardian or to provide services for those individuals who have been deemed incompetent by the courts. In situations where the Director is named by the court as the guardian, ongoing case management services are provided. Consultation and referral services are provided for persons with family planning needs including problem pregnancy and sterilization.