To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

ALBEMARLE, N.C. – An Albemarle-based organization that helps people with disabilities will extend its reach to the White House Friday.

The CEO of Monarch will attend a briefing with White House officials, discussing a range of issues facing people with disabilties. Funding for their organization has been cut and could be more of an issue in the coming years.
 
"You never think you're going to get an invitation to go to the White House," said Dr. Peggy Terhune, Monarch CEO.
 
Monarch is an organization providing resources for 5,000 people with intellectual and mental health challenges across North Carolina to reach their potential.
 
Now Terhune is going to help secure those services for the future. She's been appointed by the state's Department of Human and Health Services to be on their Waiver Advisory Committee, working directly with federal legislators.
 
"The people that actually set the policies and advise President Obama in what the policies should be," she said.
 
This year they've faced $2.5 million in budget cuts. That makes it crucial to steer what money is available to where she says it's needed most, preparing for the Affordable Care Act coming in 2014.
 
"Everything about our system is going to change in a couple years and so North Carolina is trying to prepare for that,” she said.
 
Terhune also heads the Arc of Stanly County which also advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disorders, with more than 700 chapters across the country.

The D.C. briefing comes just weeks before Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March.