About PAI

In 1997, Preferred Alternatives Inc. (PAI) began its efforts to support people who needed residential and periodic mental health and developmental disabilities services. The company began services in Fayetteville, NC, but quickly emerged in Wilmington, Cary, Raleigh, New Bern, Goldsboro and Morehead City. These areas were mainly chosen because of requests from people in need of services who wished to have the commitment, passion and respect during service provision that our company provides. In April 2001, the state of Tennessee requested our services to support many people whom had not been adequately served with residential services in the past. We currently have 4 offices in TN.

In 2003, PAI explored the notion of implementing a peer support model in the company's efforts to better serve people who experience mental health and/or substance abuse issues. PAI embraced this challenge with the goal of creating a division that embodied a recovery environment. Soon thereafter, Peer Bridgers of PAI was formed and now provides peer recovery services throughout Eastern North Carolina.

In 2004, PAI began providing services to meet the needs of Infant and Toddlers. PAI embraced this challenge with the goal of creating an Early Intervention Department that would partner with the Children's Development Services Agencies (CDSA's) spread throughout NC. This program would focus on helping infants and toddlers meet their individualized goals that are on the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Soon thereafter, our Early Intervention Department was formed and now provides specialized therapy services to children who are enrolled in the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program.

Also in 2004, PAI began providing services to meet the needs of people who wished to be employed. Our Carving Careers division is a employment services agency dedicated to assist you in finding the right job, receiving the right training and making the right career choice that is carved to fit your interests, skills and needs.

In 2008, PAI developed a state wide employment program for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. This is a unique service in the state and is rapidly expanding. We also started providing therapy and psychiatry services, including tele-psychiatry.

In 2009 PAI started offering Ticket to Work services for between age 18 and 64, and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)