Empowering Independence & Full Community Inclusion
Compass Community Services provides high-quality, person-centered community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the Charlotte region.
DHSR Licensed·CARF Accreditation Pursuing·Medicaid Authorized·Alliance HealthPartners Health MgmtTrillium Health ResourcesVaya Health·IDD · TBI · Charlotte, NC
Our Story
Founded on a Mission to Change Lives in Charlotte
Compass Community Services was founded by Michelle L. Crite, whose personal and professional experience in North Carolina's disability service system revealed a critical gap: families in Charlotte were waiting too long for qualified, compassionate, community-integrated support.
Michelle founded Compass to be different — an organization built from the ground up on excellence, accountability, and a genuine belief that every person with IDD or TBI deserves to live a full, connected, meaningful life in their own community.
Every service we provide is person-centered, community-based, and aligned with each individual's unique goals, strengths, and dreams. We don't just support people — we walk alongside them.
MC
Michelle L. Crite
Founder & Executive Director / CEO
Michelle brings deep expertise in North Carolina's IDD and TBI service landscape, Medicaid waiver systems, DHSR compliance, and person-centered care. Her vision for Compass is an organization that sets the standard for what community-based disability services can be — for participants, families, and staff alike.
What We Do
Our Services
Three Medicaid-funded services delivered in participants' homes and the Charlotte community — never in facilities.
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Community Living & Supports (CLS)
Person-centered, in-home and community-based support that helps individuals with IDD and TBI build daily living skills, achieve personal goals, and access everything Charlotte has to offer.
Daily living skills development
Community access & integration
Social connection building
Independence promotion
PCP goal implementation
Caregiver coordination
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Supported Employment
Comprehensive employment support helping individuals with IDD and TBI find, secure, and succeed in competitive, integrated employment — real jobs, real pay, real community.
Job exploration & development
Resume and interview preparation
On-the-job coaching & support
Employer relationship building
Long-term job retention
Career growth planning
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Home-Based Respite
Planned, structured temporary care delivered in the participant's home — giving family caregivers essential relief while ensuring continuity of quality support for their loved one.
In-home care by trained DSPs
Schedule-consistent support
Caregiver relief & rest
Safety-first environment
Family coordination
Flexible scheduling options
Summer 2026
Compass Summer Experience
"Navigate & Thrive" Summer Camp
📅 July 5 – August 20, 2026 · Total Community Integration · Charlotte, NC
The Compass Navigate & Thrive Summer Camp is a six-week immersive community experience for individuals with IDD and TBI. Every day is designed around full, authentic participation in Charlotte life — real places, real relationships, real adventures.
This isn't a program in a building. This is Charlotte — its parks, businesses, neighborhoods, and opportunities — opened up and made accessible for every participant.
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Total Community Integration
All activities occur in Charlotte's real community settings — no facility-based programming
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Goal-Directed Activities
Each participant's PCP goals guide their individual summer experience
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Social Connection
Peer friendships, community relationships, and natural support networks
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Skill Building
Independence skills, employment readiness, and community navigation
Ready to Register or Learn More?
Spaces are limited. Registration for the Navigate & Thrive Summer Camp is now open for Summer 2026. Medicaid authorization may be applicable for eligible participants.
📅 Dates:July 5 – August 20, 2026
📍 Location:Charlotte, NC — community settings throughout Mecklenburg County
👤 Eligibility:Individuals with IDD and/or TBI, ages 16+
We serve Medicaid-eligible individuals throughout the Charlotte region, working with all four MCOs across North Carolina.
Intellectual Disabilities (IDD)
Individuals with intellectual disability, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and related conditions who need community-based support to live fully and independently.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Adults with acquired traumatic brain injuries requiring structured community supports, skill rehabilitation, employment assistance, and caregiver relief services.
Families & Caregivers
Family caregivers who need Respite relief, connection to community resources, care coordination support, and the reassurance of a trusted, qualified provider for their loved one.
Authorized with All NC Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
Alliance Health
Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham & surrounding counties
Partners Health Management
Western & central NC counties
Trillium Health Resources
Eastern NC counties
Vaya Health
Western mountain NC counties
🛡️ Law Enforcement & First Responder Program
Richie's Watch Foundation
In Honor of Mecklenburg County Officer Richard Hardy
Richie's Watch Foundation was established in honor of Officer Richard Hardy of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office — a dedicated public servant whose life and service embodied sacrifice, courage, and community.
This program exists to ensure that law enforcement officers, first responders, and their families never have to face mental health challenges alone. We provide confidential access to mental health services, community resources, and referral support — because those who protect our community deserve protection too.
Richie's Watch is a forward-facing program of Compass Community Services, operating with the same commitment to dignity, compassion, and person-centered care that defines everything we do.
Program Director: Kimberly Rushing, Board Vice Chair
Kimberly Rushing leads Richie's Watch Foundation as Program Director, bringing dedicated oversight and personal commitment to supporting the law enforcement community and their families.
Services & Resources for Officers & Families
All services through Richie's Watch Foundation are confidential, compassionate, and completely without stigma.
All contacts through Richie's Watch are handled with complete confidentiality. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out. This program is for all officers and families — proactive support is always available.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Compass Community Services is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors committed to our mission, regulatory compliance, and the communities we serve.
RB
Rob Barkman
Board Chair
Presides at Board meetings; partners with CEO; leads CEO evaluation
SE
Susan Edison
Vice Chair
Supports Board Chair; governance and community engagement leadership
Maintains Board minutes; ensures records are accurate and distributed
🛡 Richie's Watch
KR
Kimberly Rushing
Board Member
At-Large Member & Program Director, Richie's Watch Foundation
Executive Director / CEO: Michelle L. Crite — Founder and Executive Director/CEO, serving as a non-voting organizational leader accountable to the Board of Directors.
Get Started
Intake & Referral Process
Referrals to Compass Community Services may come from care coordinators, MCOs, families, guardians, hospitals, schools, or self-referrals. Our intake process is designed to be fast, clear, and person-centered.
1
Submit a Referral
Complete the Intake & Referral Form below or contact us directly. We respond within 2 business days.
2
Eligibility Screening
Our QP verifies Medicaid eligibility, diagnosis, and authorization with the applicable MCO.
3
Admission Meeting
We meet with the participant and family in their home to complete paperwork and begin planning.
4
Services Begin
Qualified, trained DSPs begin services aligned with the participant's Person-Centered Plan.
Authorized through: Alliance Health · Partners Health Management · Trillium Health Resources · Vaya Health
Ready to Refer?
Download our Intake & Referral Form to submit a complete referral package, or complete the contact form and we'll reach out within 2 business days.
The Intake & Referral Form includes all required documentation for DHSR and MCO authorization initiation.
For Richie's Watch Foundation referrals for law enforcement officers and families, please use the Officer Support link above.
Support Our Mission
Make a Difference Today
Your donation directly supports participants, funds the Navigate & Thrive Summer Camp, and helps Richie's Watch Foundation serve law enforcement families in Mecklenburg County.
$25Supports one camp activity
$50One week of materials
$100A day of camp for one participant
$250Fund a week of community access
$500Sponsor a participant all summer
$1,000Transform a life this year
Compass Community Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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Navigate & Thrive Summer Camp
Your gift helps fund six weeks of total community integration for individuals with IDD and TBI this summer.
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Richie's Watch Foundation
Support mental health resources and referrals for Mecklenburg County officers and first responder families.
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Supported Employment
Help fund job coaching and workplace support that opens doors to real employment for people with IDD and TBI.
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Family Caregiver Support
Fund Respite services that give exhausted caregivers the relief they need to stay healthy for their families.
In-Kind Support
Wish List
Beyond financial donations, Compass Community Services and the Navigate & Thrive Summer Camp have specific in-kind needs. Every item on this list directly supports participant experiences.
🔴 High Priority
Transportation Support
Gas cards, transportation vouchers, or vehicle donations to support community access trips for summer camp participants throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Tablets, laptops, or smartphones for communication, documentation, and skill-building activities — particularly for participants with communication challenges.
Restaurant, grocery, activity, and retail gift cards used for community integration outings, supported employment site visits, and participant recognition.
Compass Community Services is building a team of passionate, qualified professionals committed to making a real difference in the lives of individuals with IDD and TBI in Charlotte.
Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Full-Time / Part-TimeCommunity-BasedCharlotte, NC
Work directly alongside individuals with IDD and TBI in their homes and in the Charlotte community — implementing Person-Centered Plans, building skills, and making a meaningful difference every single day.
Lead and support a team of DSPs, conduct field observations, ensure documentation quality, and coordinate service delivery for a caseload of participants in the CLS, SE, and Respite programs.
Join the Navigate & Thrive Summer Camp team this summer! Support participants in community integration activities throughout Charlotte during our six-week program. Experience in IDD services preferred.
Whether you're a participant, family, care coordinator, donor, or a law enforcement professional seeking support through Richie's Watch — we're here and we respond promptly.
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Location
Charlotte, NC · Serving Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas
