Abound Health

10/14/2026

Our October newsletter is out! 🍂

It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so we’re sharing a few stories from people who love their jobs, and the job coaches who helped them get there. You’ll also find this month’s fall events and a big thank-you to our DSPs.

Take a look: https://www.aboundhealth.com/news/october-monthly-newsletter/

10/12/2026

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day. 🧡

Thank you to Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) for including Abound Health in the EBCI Tribal Option IDD Preferred Provider Directory. We're proud to help expand access to care in Cherokee and look forward to serving the community.

10/10/2026

Mental health is health, at every age and every ability. 💚

This World Mental Health Day, check in with someone you care about, and with yourself. Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Need support now? Call or text 988.

10/09/2026

Thank you, DSAGC, for the warm welcome! 💙💛 We’re proud to be a First Call Sponsor, and proud of our own Candace Seagroves Mondragon for her work on the Buddy Walk Committee. Come say hi at our table!

💙💛 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Abound Health! 💛💙

A BIG Buddy Walk welcome and thank-you to Abound Health for jumping on the Buddy Walk train and supporting DSAGC as a First Call Sponsor this year!

Through our First Call program, we support new and expecting parents navigating a new Down syndrome diagnosis by connecting them with medical outreach, trusted resources, parent mentor support, and Welcome Baby Bags. We’re so grateful to have Abound Health alongside us as we help families navigate this new journey and remind them they’re not alone!

A special thank-you to one of our amazing Buddy Walk Committee members, Candace, who also volunteered her time to help with planning this year’s event. We appreciate your support, your partnership, and your commitment to our community!

🙌 Be sure to stop by the Abound Health table at Buddy Walk! Learn more about their agency and the services they provide through the NC Innovations Waiver, meet their team, and grab some of the awesome swag they’ll be handing out!

Thank you, Abound Health, for showing up for our community and helping us make a difference for individuals with Down syndrome and their families across Greater Charlotte. We’re so glad you’re part of the Buddy Walk family!

Learn about your impact when you donate: https://charity.pledgeit.org/greatercharlottebuddywalk

10/01/2026

This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we're celebrating a love story. 💙💛

Congratulations to clients Matthew and Lucia, who are now husband and wife! 💍

Their moms became best friends at a Down syndrome parent support group, and a first date in 2013 turned into ten years together. When Matthew proposed at an advocacy conference in 2023, the video went viral and captured hearts everywhere.

All of us at Abound Health are so happy for you both. You remind us that everyone deserves to build the life they choose.

Their story: https://people.com/engagement-at-down-syndrome-advocacy-event-goes-viral-on-tiktok-exclusive-8401528

Lucia Romano, 27, and Matthew Schwab, 26, began dating in high school. The couple went viral on TikTok after getting engaged at an advocacy event in Chicago.

09/30/2026

We're back with another edition of , where we share the growth of our team members and their journey.

Today we're shining a light on Katie Laughinghouse, Assistant Program Director.

Katie joined Abound as a DSP in 2021 when one of her clients transferred to us. She moved into a QP role in 2022, transferred from our Greenville office to New Bern in 2025, and was promoted to Assistant Program Director this January. Along the way, she's grown into a confident leader who speaks up for her clients and her team, with the support of her mentor, Becky Hollars.

Her advice for anyone just starting out:
"Speak up for what you want and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it."

Outside of work, Katie is a huge gardening and houseplant lover, and her plant collection is slowly taking over her house!

We're grateful to have you on our team, Katie! 💛

09/25/2026

Language should never be a barrier to care. 💙

Our Program Director of the Latino Department, Wendy Mateo-Pascual, sat down with Enlace Latino NC to talk about how our new department is helping Latino families with loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities navigate services, Medicaid and eligibility in Spanish.

The department also opens doors for bilingual Direct Support Professionals through translated training, helping us grow the workforce our field urgently needs.

Thank you to Enlace Latino NC and Patricia Ortiz for sharing this story. Read the full interview: https://ow.ly/7o9I50ZRvMA

09/24/2026

Our Pennsylvania team recently hosted a Welcome Wagon to celebrate the members of our Abound community, both new and longtime. Clients, staff and families gathered to share a meal, connect with one another and recognize the progress we've made together. It was a meaningful reminder of what's possible when we support each other. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and cheers to more connections in Pennsylvania!

09/18/2026

DSP Appreciation Week: Day 5

As we wrap up this week, we want to take a moment to recognize just how much impact one person can have when they choose to show up with care, day after day.

Today, we're celebrating Tonya, Temmie, and Alyxes for the dedication and warmth they bring to their work.

Thank you for all you do — this week and every week.