About Easterseals PORT Health
We are trustworthy, compassionate partners providing exceptional disability, mental health and substance use services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,600 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia.
Easterseals PORT Health is a 501(c)(3).
We are also one of 55 affiliates of the national United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) organization, one of the largest health nonprofits in the country dedicated to individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Learn more about the United Cerebral Palsy organization.
Easterseals PORT Health is accredited by CQL (The Council on Quality and Leadership). CQL believes in a world of dignity, opportunity and community for all people.
As a proud member of the Collaborative Health Network (CHN), we’re committed to delivering high-quality, value-based care through strong partnerships, shared learning and a focus on health equity.
Easterseals PORT Health’s Opioid Treatment Programs are CARF-accredited which signifies a commitment to quality, safety and patient-centered, measurable outcomes.
Impact in North Carolina and Virginia
2,600
Team members
11K
Home, facility + community locations
40.2K
Individuals + families served each year
10.2M
Annual hours of meaningful support
A message from our CEO, Luanne Welch
The people of Easterseals PORT Health ARE Easterseals PORT Health.
Three words come to mind when describing the people & organization I love & serve: Courage, Compassion & Care.
We demonstrate courage every time we change, grow & do more. As the needs of those we support change, WE change. We don’t always get it right the first time, but we grow together by asking thoughtful questions, listening with humility & respect, and moving forward from our mistakes.
We lead & serve with compassion. Fostering empathy & resilience within our team, our clients & communities. We meet people where they are & move forward together.
We care about the people we support & each other – the whole person. We care all the time – 24/7 – not just during the workday. We face challenges head-on & find solutions – together. We will continue to find ways to show up for the people who count on us every day.
Our courage, compassion & care fuel our commitment to be better & do better. We are dedicated to the IDEAL principles of Inclusive Culture, Different Voices, Embracing Potential, Authentic Self and Learning & Growing.
At the heart of ESPH is a resilient, sustainable, healthy, purpose-driven organization that is & will be here – day now & forward.
That’s who we are. That’s what we do. I invite you to join us!
Insights + News
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Missed a bite? Don’t worry — we saved the best views for you. 😍🍴
Here’s a look at the incredible dishes our chefs brought to the table at Chef Fest.
Which one would you try first? 👇
Saté A New American Experience`s Pan Seared Black Bass
@cookingwithgreens `s Crab Sushi Stacks
Gaston’s Italian Steakhouse `s Gaston`s Meatball
J&K Style Grill`s Rasta Chicken Rice Bowl
Mermaid Catering, Event & Personal Chef Services`s Blue Oyster Rockefeller
Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas`s Spiced Pork Shoulder
TASTE`s Crab Caked with Best Ever Sauce
@TheStockpotVB Rockfish Crudo
The Twisted-Fork rk `s Sweet and Salty Coastal Rangoons
Town Point Club`s Crab Cake Norfolk
Vang Go Bistro`s Ginger Pork Dumpling Cup
Yorkie`s Modern Deli`s Pork Italian
Zoës Steak and Seafood`s Goat Cheese and Lobster Cheesecake
Addison`s Catering by Chef Brittney`sBourbon Maple Bacon Cheesecake
Hello Sweetie Cheesecakes `s Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake
S`MORES AMORE`s Adorable S`moreables
Cafe Stella`s Dark Chocolate Lemon Passionfruit Marble Bar
Culinary Connections` Hummingbird Cake
#ChefFest #BestBites #FoodReel #TasteOfHamptonRoads #ESPH
Advocacy means standing up and speaking out for others. Our team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Behavior Technicians are dedicated autism advocates 💙
We sat down with our Autism + ABA team this Autism Acceptance Month to learn how autism advocacy positively impacts the lives of the people Easterseals PORT Health (ESPH) supports!
🔗Read the full article at eastersealsPORT.com/autism2026
#autismacceptancemonth #autismacceptance #autismservices #eastersealsPORThealth
⭐The People Behind the Purpose!⭐
Meet Edward, a Direct Service Provider (DSP) for Individual and Community Services (ICS) in Winston-Salem, NC. He shares, “I love my job because I get to support my brother!”
Learn more about our life-changing services at eastersealsPORT.com/services.
#peoplebehindthepurpose #eastersealsporthealth #disabilityservices #teamwork #teamspotlight
THANK YOU to everyone who made Chef Fest 2026 unforgettable. From the chefs, guests, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and behind the scenes staff who made it happen, we are incredibly grateful.
Our Culinary Connections Students dazzled the crowd with their tasty sweet treats, incredible hospitality and work ethic. Cheers to each of them and their bright futures ahead. 👏👏👏
🏆🥇Two inaugural awards were chosen by a panel of culinary professionals:
🌊 @virginia.eats.and.drinks` “Living La Vida Locavore” Award was presented to Chef Julie Aubrey of @mermaidcatering for her creative, Coastal Virginia–inspired Blue Oyster Rockefeller
👨🍳 The Tall Toque Award honored outstanding culinary excellence and was presented to Chef Paul Benton of @zoesvb for his impressive Goat Cheese and Lobster Cheesecake
The guests also had their say and selected their favorite dishes:
🏆 Chef Fest Champ (Favorite Entrée): Chef Pam Smith of @thetwisted4ork
🍰 Sweet Champ (Favorite Dessert): Chef Brittney Batts of @addisonscatering_ja
Check back soon for more highlights from this special event.
What an incredible day!
After months of planning alongside our generous sponsors, volunteers and table hosts, the Miracle Moments Luncheon at the beautiful @theumstead was a tremendous success. With 160 guests in attendance, we raised more than $100,000 to support the life-changing programs at Easterseals PORT Health.
Because of the generosity of our sponsors, board members, donors and table hosts, we were able to share our mission, highlight our impact and expand both awareness and funding for the individuals and families we serve.
Thank you for helping us turn moments into miracles. 💙
#MiracleMoments #EastersealsPORTHealth #CommunityImpact #Grateful #MissionInAction
Brain Injury Awareness Month highlights the importance of understanding brain injuries, along with ways to prevent them and support those affected 💜
Cynthia generously shared her story of having a traumatic brain injury and how Easterseals PORT Health has supported her journey. Cynthia is a Developmental Disabilities (DD) Mentor with Easterseals PORT Health and also lives with a host family through ESPH’s Alternative Family Living (AFL) program.
Read her full story at eastersealsPORT.com/tbi2026
📸Pictured: Cynthia (left) and Kelly, (right) Disability Advocate and founder and CEO of Community Bridges Consulting Group
#braininjuryawareness #tbiawareness #braininjurysupport #eastersealsPORThealth #disabilitysupport #disabilityservices
World Down Syndrome Day is observed every year on March 21! This day is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the well-being of individuals with Down syndrome. The date, 3/21, symbolizes the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which defines Down syndrome 💛
We are proud to highlight Savanna, a participant of our EMPOWER Adult Wellness & Recreation program in New Bern, NC.
💬"It is important to recognize World Down Syndrome Day because people with Down syndrome are cool, awesome and amazing! We sometimes need people to help us, but we find joy in things everyone else does, like being with friends or receiving a gift!" shares Savanna
#downsyndrome #WorldDownSyndromeDay #downsyndromeawareness #inclusion #disabilityawareness #downsyndromeday #communitysupport
Today is World Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Day!
Applied Behavior Analysis helps individuals build meaningful skills and independence. These skills include things like improved communication and social interactions. We work with others by breaking big skills into small, easy steps and building on each person’s strengths!
Learn more about our Autism + ABA services at eastersealsPORT.com/applied-behavior-analysis
#aba #appliedbehavioranalysis #autismservices #eastersealsPORThealth #abaday
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