State Developmental Centers
Program Overview
The Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities operates three regional certified Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities known as the State Developmental Centers.
The State Developmental Centers provide services to individuals:
- With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and complex behavioral, physical, and/or medical health needs and
- Who meet the ICF/IID level of care and
- For whom the networks of community resources have been explored and appropriate community-based services were not able to be identified
The goal for all admissions to the State Developmental Centers is a successful return to the community with the identified supports in place to meet the person’s needs for long term stability in the community-based setting. Active transition planning for a return to a community-based setting begins at the time of admission to ensure adequate time for the Managed Care Organization to identify and/or build the supports and services needed for the person with I/DD. All admissions to the State Developmental Centers, since 2012, are time-limited and require a Memorandum of Agreement to be completed by the Legally Responsible Person, MCO and State Developmental Center. All parties must be actively working to meet all components of the MOA, including development of a plan to return to community-based setting at the time of admission. Admissions to State Developmental Centers are time-limited, voluntary, and require consent of the individual and/or LRP if the individual is a minor or has been adjudicated incompetent.
To explore alternative community-based supports, contact your MCO. To identify your MCO, access the MCO Directory.
Tap or click the buttons below to view contact information and other details for the specific SDC.
Caswell Developmental Center
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
Murdoch Developmental Center
Services
All three regional facilities provide residential, medical, habilitation (assistance in developing functional living skills), and other support services to promote independence and self-determination. The State Developmental Centers provide time-limited, specialized programming to support the I/DD system of care.
- Adult ICFs/IID services are offered regionally based on the MCO catchment area.
- All referrals must be supported by a letter of endorsement from the respective MCO that indicates alternative community support options are not available at the time of referral.
- View this list to access the MCO directory.
| Program | Facility | Program Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities | • Caswell • J. Iverson Riddle • Murdoch | Residential, medical, habilitation (help in developing functional living skills), and training services to promote independence and self-determination. Supports community living for people with I/DD who are at least 18 years old. |
| Adult Respite | • Caswell • J. Iverson Riddle • Murdoch | Facility based respite services, based on bed availability, to provide caregivers temporary relief for people with I/DD who are at least 18 years old. |
| Statewide Children’s Program- Partners in Autism Treatment and Habilitation | Murdoch | PATH is a program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and serious behavioral challenges. Referrals are accepted for children aged 6 to 16. |
| Statewide Children’s Program- Specialized Treatment for Adolescents in a Residential Setting | Murdoch | STARS is a program for adolescents who have dual diagnosis (developmental disability and mental illness). Referrals are accepted for adolescents aged 13 to 17. |
| Children’s Respite- Therapeutic Respite Addressing Crisis for Kids | Murdoch | TRACK is a program for children who have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders, serious behavioral challenges and are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The length of stay is between 3-45 days. Referrals are accepted for children aged 5 to 17. |
| DHHS Children's Assessment Clinic | • J. Iverson Riddle • Murdoch | Prioritized for Children with Complex Needs, the interdisciplinary clinic works with the child's treatment team to provide consultative supports and recommendations likely needed to maintain their community placement. |
| Family Infant Preschool Program | J. Iverson Riddle | Provides support and resources to people who are pregnant and children from birth to 5 years old with identified Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and their families. Services are limited to the following counties in Western NC: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell. |
Referral Documents
All referrals to the State Developmental Centers are initiated by the MCO and require demonstration that all other support options have been explored and are not available to meet the needs of the individual. View the MCO Directory here.
Criteria for admission to the State Developmental Centers requires:
- An I/DD diagnosis, complex behavioral challenges, and/or medical conditions and clinical treatment needs that meet the ICF/IID level of care.
- Thorough exploration of community resources without the identification and/or availability of necessary services to maintain their current setting in the community.
Strategic Plan
Overview
The State Developmental Centers’ strategic plan defines the foundational purpose for work within the centers. The strategic plan aims to capture the intent and spirit of the future planning for the SDCs. The strategic plan outlines four target areas: downsizing, self-advocacy, community collaboration, and centers of excellence. As initiatives are explored, the SDCs will consider how they advance and contribute to each of the target areas, as defined in the strategic plan.
To learn more, access and view the SDC strategic plan.
To provide feedback or input for consideration, please complete this form.
Quarterly Updates
On a quarterly basis, we will provide updates in the form of a newsletter for you to learn about how we are accomplishing our objectives of the strategic plan as it relates to our four identified areas of focus.
SDC Quarterly Update October-December 2023
Human Rights Committee
The Human Rights Committees consists of members appointed by the Secretary of DHHS to monitor the protection of the human, civil, legal and treatment rights of those living in the facility. The committee reviews cases of alleged rights violations and mistreatment. Members of the Human Rights Committee are available to hear the concerns of any client, parent, or guardian if violations of rights occur. The HRC meeting schedules are below.
| Facility | Meeting Method | Date/Time | To Join the Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caswell | Teleconference | 1:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month | The telephone number is: 1-669-257-3552. The access code is: 325414601#. |
| J. Iverson Riddle | In-Person on campus or by teleconference | 10:00 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month | The telephone number is: 828-608-6031. The meeting number is: 3010#. To continue as a participant, press #. |
| Murdoch | All meetings are held via Teleconference, except for August, which is in-person in the JMH Conference Room, in the Administration Building. | 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Thursday Note: | Join the video meeting! Join the video meeting! |
Facility Information
About the Facility
Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston, N.C. is the State Developmental Center for North Carolina’s Eastern region. Caswell provides services and support to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, complex behavioral challenges, and/or medical conditions whose clinical treatment needs exceed the supports currently available in the community.
Contact Us
Caswell Developmental Center
2415 West Vernon Ave.
Kinston, N.C. 28504
Director: Dr. Valour Richardson
Phone: 252-208-4000
Resident Advocacy Department
Phone: 252-208-3792
Employment Opportunities
Watch this video to learn more about joining the team at Caswell Developmental Center. View our current employment opportunities.
Engagement Opportunities
Volunteer Information
The Volunteer Services Department at Caswell Center works diligently to provide tangible and intangible supports to people living at the Center in an effort to improve their quality of life. Support from the community is critical to achieve this goal. For information on the variety of ways you can become involved, please contact the Volunteer Services Department.
Phone: 252-208-3780
Caswell Center Foundation
Caswell Center Foundation was established in 1999 to enhance the quality of life for persons at Caswell Developmental Center and in eastern North Carolina with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Phone: 252-208-3780
Human Rights Committee
If interested in becoming a member of the HRC, please contact the Advocacy Department for more information.
Phone: 252-208-3792
About the Facility
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, N.C. is the State Developmental Center for North Carolina’s Western region. Riddle provides services and support to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, complex behavioral challenges, and/or medical conditions whose clinical treatment needs exceed the supports currently available in the community.
Contact Us
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center
300 Enola Road
Morganton, N.C. 28655
Director: Todd Drum
Phone: 828-608-6000
Resident Advocacy Department
Phone: 828-608-6195
Employment Opportunities
Watch this video to learn more about joining the team at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. View our current employment opportunities.
Engagement Opportunities
Volunteer Information
The Volunteer Services Department at J. Iverson Riddle Center works diligently to provide tangible and intangible supports to people living at the Center in an effort to improve their quality of life. Support from the community is critical to achieve this goal. For information on the variety of ways you can become involved, please contact the Volunteer Services Department.
Phone: 828-608-6212
J. Iverson Riddle Foundation
J. Iverson Riddle Foundation, Assure the Future, was established in 2019 to enhance the quality of life for persons at J. Iverson Riddle Center and in western North Carolina with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Phone: 828-608-6706
Human Rights Committee
If interested in becoming a member of the HRC, please contact the Advocacy Department for more information.
Phone: 828-608-6195
About the Facility
Murdoch Developmental Center in Butner, N.C. is the State Developmental Center for North Carolina’s Central region. Murdoch provides services and support to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), complex behavioral challenges, and/or medical conditions whose clinical treatment needs exceed the level of care currently available in the community.
Contact Us
Murdoch Developmental Center
1600 East C. St.
PO Box 3000
Butner, N.C. 27509
Director: Pamela Kuhno
Phone: 919-575-1000
Resident Advocacy Department:
Phone: 919-575-1030
Employment Opportunities
Watch this video to learn more about joining the team at Murdoch Developmental Center.
View our current employment opportunities.
Engagement Opportunities
Volunteer Information
The Volunteer Services Department at Murdoch Center works diligently to provide tangible and intangible supports to people living at the Center in an effort to improve their quality of life. Support from the community is critical to achieve this goal. They also assist by providing a program of recreational experiences. For information on the variety of ways you can become involved, please contact the Volunteer Services Department.
Phone: 919-575-1090
Murdoch Center Foundation
Murdoch Center Foundation was established in 1984 to enhance the quality of life for persons at Murdoch Developmental Center and in eastern North Carolina with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Visit the Murdoch Center Foundation Website.
Human Rights Committee
If interested in becoming a member of the HRC, please contact the Advocacy Department for more information.
Phone: 919-575-1030