With the support of our Race for Autism participants, fundraisers, and sponsors, NFAR has awarded more than a million dollars to the San Diego community, helping to change the lives of thousands of children and families.
The 2014 Community Project Grant recipients include:
NFAR is again supporting Include Autism’s efforts to shape the way the community looks at autism by providing businesses, organizations, and community leaders with practical and specialized training on how to more effectively include individuals with autism in their daily operations and offerings. Businesses interested in learning more should contact Include Autism.
This non-profit organization provides a full range of services including recreational program for children with autism ages 4 – 10 years old. The purpose of this funding will be to expand their existing soccer program which integrates evidence based practices of applied behavior analysis, social skills and adaptive physical fitness instruction beyond Rancho Bernardo to other areas of San Diego.
One of the most significant challenges confronting the East African families affected by autism in San Diego is accessing information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. This outreach effort will help to provide materials and guest speakers for families on the signs of autism, importance of early detection, and access to autism treatment.
YMCA of San Diego County, Youth & Family Services
The YMCA COMPASS Program provides comprehensive access to services and support for families caring for a child or loved one with special needs. This grant will establish a scholarship fund for families of those with autism so that they have greater access to COMPASS counseling and advocacy services.
Murrieta Valley School District
The Alta Murrieta Learning Center will be using technology to systematically collect and analyze behaviors (specifically executive function, perspective taking, and self-regulation) in order to adopt interventions that enhance the academic, social, and emotional instruction of students with autism in the classroom.
This grant will fund the development of two multi-sensory rooms on the campuses of Central Elementary and Lincoln Acres Elementary in National City. Both sites serve as a hub for students with moderate to severe autism.
The purpose of this video modeling project will be to help students build and generalize the skills learned at school to the home setting or vice versa. iPad mini technology will be used to facilitate communication and skills acquisition between school and home.
The Institute for Effective Education, Urban Skills Center
This project has been designed to promote student independence and safety in the kitchen. Topics covered will include: food preparation, including personal hygiene and sanitary kitchen procedures, safe tool and utensil use - particularly knife safety, safe food handling and storage, and kitchen clean-up. Video modeling will be used for generalization of these skills to the home environment.
Poway Unified School District Transition Program
The PUSD Transition Program is a community based program with curriculum designed to meet the needs of 18 -22 year old adults with autism. iPad technology will be used to teach students pre-employment skills, such as mock interviews, video resumes, vocational assessments, as well as showcase students’ accomplishments and progress on job sites.
This 40 hour “Adult Steps to Success Program” will help to prepare 8 young adults with the skills for identifying, securing, and retaining sustainable employment. The series will include social skills development, workplace etiquette, resume and business materials development, networking strategies, self-advocacy, job search skills, and employee rights.