Wilmington mother pushes for disability services in Raleigh

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington, North Carolina, mother took her push for improved disability services to state lawmakers Wednesday, sharing her family’s experience and calling for changes to better support children with disabilities.

Meredith Mulford traveled to Raleigh to speak directly with legislators about the challenges her family faces and the broader need for increased support across North Carolina’s disability services system.

Mulford is advocating for higher pay for the workforce that provides critical care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, saying better compensation is key to maintaining and growing those services.

She said caucus leaders were supportive during her meetings, noting that several lawmakers have personal connections to intellectual and developmental disabilities through friends or family members.

Despite that encouragement, Mulford said she remains concerned the issue could stall.

“I feel positive that we were heard. I do feel like there’s a bit of inertia around it. It might be somebody else’s job to set the rates for the direct service providers, it might be somebody else’s job to figure out the Innovations Waiver Wait List, and we are funding Medicaid,” so it definitely felt like there was a little bit of inertia over some of the major points that they have a lot of moving parts,” said Mulford.

Mulford said she remains hopeful, adding that there is strength in numbers and that the turnout of advocates in Raleigh made a meaningful impact.