Exceptional Childrens Assistance Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Exceptional Childrens Assistance Center (ECAC) is a statewide, non-profit parent organization committed to improving the lives and education of children with disabilities and special health care needs. At ECAC our work is guided and informed by our core values and principles that are the foundation of our workplace. We are an organization that works to make everyone feel valued and accepted. We maintain an open-minded approach when assisting families and working with the community and each other to establish trust. ECAC helps families in navigating and understanding health systems, early intervention, special education and the transition to adulthood. In addition, ECAC prepares youth with disabilities for the transition to adulthood by providing training on job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, financial literacy, workplace readiness and more. We are parents of children with disabilities who support other parents of children with disabilities ages birth to 26, youth with disab
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 88%
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $92,999, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (7)
- $699,978 spent. ECAC serves as North Carolinas Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. ECAC has held this distinction since 1983. As the statewide PTI, ECAC supports families of children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs, from birth through age 26, in all 100 North Carolina counties.Our PTI staff provide information, training, and individualized support to families navigating early intervention, special education, and the transition to adulthood. We empower families and youth to understand their rights, make informed decisions, and become effective advocates. Services are provided in both English and Spanish.During the most recent reporting period, ECAC had over 27,900 individual contacts with families and professionals and conducted 233 training sessions statewide. ECACs website, www.ecac-parentcenter.org, received a record 373,044 page views, and our Facebook page has grown to over 22,100 followers, reflecting strong statewide engagement.
- $312,472 spent. Through a contract with the NC DHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation), ECAC provides pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities.During the reporting period, 175 students received individualized training and support in job exploration counseling, workplace readiness, postsecondary education counseling, and self-advocacy. These efforts expand the Divisions capacity to reach and effectively serve students with disabilities statewide.
- $225,791 spent. ECAC holds multiple contracts with the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Office of Exceptional Children and serves as a funded partner of the NC DeafBlind Project. An ECAC staff member serves as Co-Director of the DeafBlind Project, supporting family engagement and providing specialized resources and assistance to families of children with DeafBlindness.Through the NC Systemic Improvement Plan (NC SIP) grant, ECAC engages a cadre of family leaders who speak to pre-service education majors at participating universities about the importance of family engagement. ECAC collaborates with DPI staff to develop trainings and resources for educators to increase family engagement by promoting positive home and school interactions and activities.
- $144,461 spent. All Other Programs Expenses ECAC is a member of the Region B National Parent Technical Assistance (RPTAC) Network, supporting 25 federally funded parent centers across 12 southeastern statesfrom Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. Through a contract with Parent to Parent of Georgia, an ECAC staff member serves as Co-Director of the Region B PTAC.In this role, ECAC provides board training, strategic planning, and technical assistance on topics such as reaching underserved families, nonprofit governance, fiscal management, and program evaluation.To ensure ECACs work remains family-centered and youth-driven, we engage the Family Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Teams. These advisory groups offer feedback, co-create materials, co-present trainings, and help plan events and outreach activities. ECAC continually seeks opportunities for families to use their lived experience to improve systems of care for families and youth.Family engagement and leadership are woven into every aspect of ECACs work. We are recognized as a state leader in family engagement, leadership development, and family-centered care. ECAC staff participate in more than 30 local, state, and national initiatives to improve outcomes for families and youth.The Family Engagement Manager coordinates ECACs multiple projects in this area and leads our annual Family Engagement Month activities each November. This includes collaboration with community partners and securing a Governors Proclamation recognizing November as Family Engagement Month. ECAC also provides training and technical assistance to organizations and schools on authentic family-engagement best practices.
- $81,382 spent. ECAC operates as North Carolinas federally funded Family-to-Family Health Information Center, supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program provides one-on-one assistance to families and practitioners to promote optimal health and well-being for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families.We advance systems of care that ensure families and health professionals work in partnership at all levels of shared decision-making. ECAC disseminates health-related information, training, and guidance to families and professionals, supporting collaboration and informed participation in healthcare planning.
- $38,828 spent. Through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Children and Youth Branch, ECAC administers stipends and expense reimbursements to families who participate in or are trained in evidence-informed strategies designed to reach and support more families statewide.This initiative helps families strengthen self-sufficiency and engagement through participation in Title V-funded activities.
- ECAC participates in the Innovative Approaches 2.0 Initiative, designed to improve systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln Counties. This initiative emphasizes a family-driven systems-change approach, ensuring that families play a central role in identifying and implementing community improvements that enhance care and access for CYSHCN.During the reporting period, ECAC worked to strengthen systems of care in two key focus areas:1.Health Care Transition supporting youth with special health care needs and families as they move from pediatric to adult care systems.2.Emergency Preparedness improving systems and community responses to ensure the safety and well-being of CYSHCN in emergency situations.Through this initiative, ECAC continues to promote collaborative, sustainable improvements in service delivery and family engagement in Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln Counties.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1987.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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