New in North Carolina: Bark now approved for purchase under the NC Innovations Waiver

North Carolina individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities now have a new path to safer, independence-building technology. The Bark Phone and Bark Watch are approved for purchase under North Carolina’s Innovations Waiver, available through Vaya Health and Trillium Health Resources. The Innovations Waiver covers North Carolinians of all ages with I/DD, and while Bark has primarily been adopted by adults on the waiver so far, families of children and youth enrolled in Innovations can pursue a Bark device through the same pathway.

What this means for North Carolina families: If you or a family member is enrolled in the NC Innovations Waiver through Vaya Health or Trillium Health Resources, you can work with your care coordinator to add a Bark Phone or Bark Watch as part of your Individual Support Plan. The Bark Watch offers simple, structured connection: talk, text, and location tracking with no internet or apps. The Bark Phone offers a fuller smartphone experience, with monitoring across dozens of alert categories, contact approval, and flexible controls that expand as independence grows. It’s built to support the same goals the Innovations Waiver already funds – daily living skills, community participation, and safety planning – just applied to technology.

Bark is proud to partner with organizations like the Autism Society of North Carolina, along with families and providers across the state, to help individuals with I/DD gain greater independence while staying connected and safe. This approval allows us to expand that impact to even more North Carolina communities.

Helpful resources:

• Bark for North Carolina families — full details on devices and how waiver approval works
• Waiver flyer (PDF) — device comparison and how to get started
• Watch the video — see Bark in action

FAQ

What is the NC Innovations Waiver?
It’s a North Carolina Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver that funds support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of any age, to live safely and independently in their community rather than in an institutional setting.

Who qualifies for a Bark Phone or Bark Watch through the Innovations Waiver?
Anyone enrolled in the NC Innovations Waiver through Vaya Health or Trillium Health Resources whose Individual Support Plan includes goals a Bark Phone or Bark Watch can support, such as safety planning, community participation, or independent living skills. This includes both children and adults, though most current Bark users on the waiver are adults.

How do I actually get a device?

1. If you have a care coordinator at Vaya Health or Trillium Health Resources, ask them about adding a Bark device through your waiver.
2. Bark works with your care team to include the device in the Individual Support Plan.
3. Once approved, your device ships directly to you, with setup support from the Bark team.

Which Bark device is the right fit?
The Bark Watch is a good starting point for those who do best with a simple, distraction-free device that includes location tracking, talk, and text. The Bark Phone is a full smartphone with monitoring, content controls, and screen-time management that can flex as independence grows.

I’m a provider or care coordinator — how do I get someone started?
Reach out to andrea.bucci@bark.us for help adding Bark to a client’s Individual Support Plan.

Who do I contact with questions?
Email andrea.bucci@bark.us for anything related to North Carolina Medicaid waiver approval, whether you’re a family member, an individual, or a provider.