Since 1956, Special Needs Cobb (SNC) has served families across the region who may have fallen through the cracks otherwise. Over the past 70 years, SNC has provided the special needs community with schools, summer camps, referral resources and respite programming before focusing on its current mission of group housing. Prior to the organizations’ formation, Cobb County was lacking affordable, safe care and housing for individuals with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities. SNC, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), met this need by providing families with residential group homes, giving their loved ones the best path to greater independence, inclusion, and self-determination.

Originally known as the Association of Retarded Citizens, the group has changed its name several times over the years, but not its purpose. Debbie Day, current CEO, decided in 2020 to rebrand the organization. In addition to a new logo and website, the name was permanently changed to Special Needs Cobb. “We wanted a name that would identify who we are, what we do, and why it matters,” Day says. Particularly in the environment we are in now, message clarity is vital. Although many people out there are providing resources, few are providing homes for life.”

Special Needs Cobb’s growing network is comprised of 23 group homes situated in neighborhoods on SNC-purchased land and staffed by contracted Medicaid service providers. The network has the most special-needs homes of any provider in Cobb County, as well as 30 percent of special-needs beds in Region 1 of Northwest Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Championed by Day, the organization continues to blaze a trail for families within the community, focusing on the entire family unit, not just the individual. Each resident is aged 18 and older, with four individuals per house. Each must have a Comprehensive Support Waiver (COMP) or a NOW/Comp Waiver (New Option Waiver plus Comprehensive Support Waiver) granted from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to be placed in a special needs group home.

Collaboration for good
While HUD provides some administrative and rental subsidies, SNC bridges the substantial gap in funding by seeking a combination of governmental and private foundation grants, fundraisers, and individual donations. “Funding is a challenge, in that 43 percent of our residents are either orphans or without family connections, severely limiting the direct pool of likely donors for our cause,” Day says. “This is why community partnerships are so important to our organization and those most vulnerable.”

Historically, SNC has served thousands of special needs children, adults, and their families and caregivers. In a typical year, about 800 individuals are served through the organization’s group homes, respite resources, workshops, outreach events, referrals, and fundraising events. SNC employs a small staff with a large mission — four full-time employees and one part-time employee.

Community involvement is paramount as partnerships are vital to the ability of Special Needs Cobb to sustain the 23 group homes. “We are blessed with excellent partners who have come to our rescue in many ways,” Day says. “Our partners enhance our impact, broaden our reach, and provide expertise and funding. This enables us to fulfill our mission of housing special needs adults for life.”

Broad-based community support makes it possible for Day and her staff to continue to provide vital and life-changing services. Major supporters include Cobb EMC Foundation, Cobb Community Foundation, Civitan Clubs of Cobb County, Piedmont Church, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, and Cobb County’s Community Development Block Program, along with numerous family and private foundations.

Fruits of labor
Day’s decision to revamp the branding of Special Needs Cobb has paid off exponentially. Revenue has grown by 250 percent since the new logo and name have resonated with the public, community leaders, and area organizations. To be sure, Day’s prior experience in local government, corporate America and as a senior nonprofit executive prepared her for her role with SNC. In particular, an emphasis on grant writing has yielded an impressive $1.5 million in grant funding.

Special Needs Cobb was highlighted by Cobb Community Foundation in their 2023 and 2025 Bus Tours, which highlights nonprofits that make a difference. In 2021, Day was named the Jack Vaughan Jr. Human Services Professional of the Year. And, while the prestige is nice, Day is focused on the needs of the organization and the people it serves.

“My knowledge and understanding of this population, and the needs of their families and caregivers, has grown over the years I’ve been CEO,” Day says. “We give people with disabilities opportunities to shine and reach their full potential.”

Day notes that the provision of group housing is a community need not to be taken lightly. “Individuals with disabilities are part of our Cobb County population.” For certain, the positive impact of Special Needs Cobb has been tremendous for Cobb families.

For example, the Hiott family knows well the benefits of working with SNC. “Our son, Phillip, has resided in a group home for 21 years,” says Kay Thomas Hiott, mother of Phillip, a long-term SNC group home resident. Hiott also serves as Board President Emeritus of SNC and will chair the organization’s 70th anniversary celebration in 2026.

“Phillip is happy, and it’s home to him,” Hiott says. “It’s where he loves to be. Three of his best friends live at the home, too, and they are family. Phillip is safe and healthy. He’s close by, so we see him a lot. We’re blessed that he has a great life!”

The road ahead
Day says the strategic five-year plan for Special Needs Cobb calls for the expansion of group homes in both Northwest Cobb and East Cobb. “Our biggest and ongoing need is operating capital as well as an emergency fund for our homes, which average 19 years in age,” she says. “Donations, no matter how large or small, are always welcome and put to good use.”

Maintaining 23 group homes is no small task. The organization’s houses have a commercial level of use in a residential environment, so upkeep is constant. From HVAC repair to wear-and-tear management, to floor and roof replacement, the group homes require constant preventative maintenance as well as response to acute situations. SNC is always looking for new partners to support their mission or sponsor a home. A recurring giving program is in the works, along with a campaign to establish an emergency fund for these aging homes.

Pars for Stars Golf Invitational

The Pars for Stars Golf Invitational is Special Needs Cobb’s largest annual fundraiser. The event helps to sustain and maintain SNC’s 23 group homes. The public is invited to join the all-day, play-your-way golf outing on Monday, October 13 at Dogwood Golf Club in Austell.

For non-golfers, SNC offers lunch and a silent auction, which has become a community favorite over the years. As with their other annual fundraising event, Sparkle & Style, residents from the group homes play a prominent role. The golf fundraiser includes the auction of custom-designed birdhouses created by local artists. One of these birdhouses depicting the Braves clubhouse was featured on Atlanta News First and purchased for a senior Braves executive. To learn more about the artistry behind the birdhouses as well as to stay apprised of registration information for Pars for Stars or SNC in general, visit specialneedscobb.org.