Bringing Renewed Hope to Somali Families & Children in San Diego

  • 03 June 2014

Last December, NFAR awarded a Community Project Grant to the San Diego East African Autism Awareness Initiative (SDSAA) to help educate families within San Diego's Somali community about autism and the importance of getting a child into treatment.  


One of the most significant challenges confronting East African refugees and immigrants in San Diego is the process of accessing quality healthcare services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

Since the beginning of the year, the SDSAA Initiative has been working with the community, providing a series of community forums on autism, and autism services. Furthermore, the Initiative aids the community by acting as a healthcare navigator, peer educator, and provider of vital parental support for getting access to timely and targeted autism treatment.

THe SDSAA is also working to initiate a 4-week New Parent Training Series for East African families. The classes will be offered to parents when a child is diagnosed and begins treatment. Somali Family Services Development Director Jamie Shariff notes, "We are very grateful to NFAR. The SDSAA would not be available without the generous support and active dedication of your organization."