Accomplishments & Goals
Autism Society of Boulder County is pleased to highlight our activities and accomplishments toward achieving the goals of our mission and vision.
The following is just a sampling (or click here for a printer-friendly version).
Information Services
News:
- 2009: In response to our unification with our national organization, we
have changed our eNews provider to Convio Clubs. Our eNews updates consist of ASBC’s and other
organization’s upcoming events and meetings in the local area. ASBC is implementing
our new “green” strategy to deliver our eNews Alerts and monthly newsletter.
- 2009: NEW
2008: ASBC eNews went
electronic via Constant Contact. ASBC Express free newsletter is still
highly regarded as a great informational resource in the area.
Information:
- 2008: IEP support through the “Ask The
Advocate” series in the ASBC Express newsletter, a Peak Parent & BVSD PAM
(Parents As Mentors) trained volunteers are available to assist with the IEP
process.
Website:
- 2009: ASBC as a local chapter of Autism Society and a member of the
Southwest Region that was chosen to participate in a unification pilot
project slated for 2009. Our website will align with the unification
guidelines and branding of Autism Society.
- 2008 Look through the new pages of
ASBC website. See NEW
pages such as
Community Partners, sponsors and donors. The ASD Resource Directory is updated
quarterly and is available as a downloadable PDF.
Conference:
-
2008: ASBC brought Wrightslaw to Colorado in September 2008.
This conference provided individuals with the knowledge and skills to advocate
effectively for children with disabilities within the IEP process. The program was
not disability specific and Wrightslaw programs are designed to meet the needs
of parents, educators, health care and service providers, advocates and
attorneys who represent children with disabilities regarding special education.
- 2008:Spanish translation was provided
during Wrightslaw.
- NEW:ASBC was awarded
an “ARC” grant from the Broomfield Community Foundation.The grant monies were awarded to five Broomfield
families to attend the Wrightslaw conference.
- NEW:ASBC collaborated with the following partners to grant five
Broomfield families a scholarship from Broomfield Community Foundation:
Imagine!, International Dyslexia Association-Rocky Mountain Branch, Mile High
Down Syndrome Association, Peak Parent Center, Learning Disability Association
and EMPOWER Colorado.
Support Services
FREE:
- Monthly Lecture
series provided to parents and professionals to educate on timely subjects for
the ASD Community.
- Support group
series that offers an informal opportunity for parents to gather and discuss
issues or treatments currently used with their ASD loved ones.
- 2009: ASBC
offers a Spanish Support
Group with Eugenia Brady, Spanish Liaison.
-
2008: ASBC
collaborates with the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership, GRASP, to begin a Northern Colorado
GRASP Network to include Boulder and Broomfield County.
Respite Grant:
- “Give Me A
Break” respite grant is awarded to families on a quarterly calendar basis. The
grant provides the family with membership in the national Autism Society and a
cash award.
- 2009:Board
voted to raise the amount of our respite grant to $200 per quarter.
- MAY 2009:ASBC’sFamily Respite Picnic has been held by our Board since 2005. The families that attend our
picnic are treated to a “GFCF” friendly menu and to various activities brought
by our guests. Emmy Conroy’s GFCF cookie corner and our potluck GFCF dessert
table provide a sweet treat for many children and adults.
Scholarships:
- ASBC makes
available scholarships to ASD families attending ASBC sponsored educational
programs.
ASBC Autism Collection:
- Housed at the
City of Louisville Public Library.
Legislation:
- 2009: ASBC supports Colorado’s
Developmental Disabilities End the Waiting List Campaign.
- April 2009: ASBC
testifies to the Colorado Senate regarding the Autism Insurance bill sponsored
by Senator Brandon Shaffer and Representative Dianne Primaverra.
- February 2009: ASBC
and Imagine! co-host the Colorado Autism Commission Boulder Hearings.
- ASBC attended
Southwest Regional Alignment Meeting with officers of Autism Society of America
to discuss nationwide unification and national legislation.
-
March 2008: ASBC attended Autism Society of
America’s “Day on the Hill 2008!” Washington, DC in March 2008.
- NEW: ASBC attends Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee (IACC)
meeting in Washington,
DC March 2008.
- NEW:
ASBC lobbied Colorado’s Senators
and Congressman in Washington, DC in March 2008.
School Districts:
- 2009:
ASBC formed an Education Committee to support educational professionals who
teach children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Boulder and Broomfield
Counties.
Autism Awareness
“Through
My Eyes” Art Show
- April 2009: “Through My Eyes” was hosted by local hospitals & libraries
during National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM) to promote autism awareness
throughout Boulder and Broomfield Counties.
- “Through
My Eyes” art show has been highlighted at our Annual Wine & Cheese Tasting
Fundraiser held during National
Autism Awareness Month(NAAM) in April since 2006.
-
2008: “Through My
Eyes” was present during Wrightslaw Conference in September 2008.
- The “Through
My Eyes” art show went International during USAAA biomedical conference, in
August of 2007.
- National
Autism Awareness Month (NAAM- April) Annual Wine & Cheese Tasting
Fundraiser
- April 2009: "Autism
Community Awareness" Award.
ASBC recognized two local Boulder County businessmen Tom Wyman & Chris
Cronin, during National Autism Awareness Month for raising awareness about
autism in the community.
-
2008: Autism Community
Awareness” Award.
April 2008, ASBC recognized a local Boulder County family during National
Autism Awareness Month for raising autism awareness in the community.
- ASBC presentation “Autism 101” during
Boulder Evening Optimist Club August 19, 2008
during National Autism Awareness Month for raising
awareness about autism in the community.
- December 2009: Evening of Sharing Coal Creek Elementary School
Children’s Health and Harmony Expo
Outreach Programs:
- 2009 Fall Resumed: “Autism and Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing” training
for Boulder and Broomfield. Requests continue for this outreach program.
- 2008:
Collaboration with Boulder Police on making materials for the “Safety First
Program” more accessible to the cognitively impaired.
-
2008: “Autism and
Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing” training for Boulder and Broomfield.
Participants to date are: Boulder City and County Sheriff, Erie, Broomfield, Lafayette,
Longmont, Louisville, Nederland, Broomfield Detention Center, Louisville Fire
and Boulder Rural Fire Departments. Requests continue for this outreach
program.
- ASBC
co-sponsored Dennis Debbaudt’s presentation at the Fire Safety Educators of the
Rockies Conference in
Breckenridge April 23-25, 2008.
- Dennis Debbaudt was
a Special Guest Lecturer, April 21, 2008 presenting “Autism
Risk &Safety
Workshop” for
families, educators, and care providers.
- 2008: ASBC sponsored Autism Recognition, Response and
Risk Management for Law Enforcement presented by Dennis Debbaudt for all Boulder and Broomfield City and County police on April
22.
- NEW:
ASBC sponsored
Captain William Cannata of the Westwood Fire Department in Westwood, MA for
autism training for the firefighters of Boulder and Broomfield City and County
on April 21. In January of 2006, Bill became the
MA statewide coordinator of Autism and Law Enforcement Education Coalition
(ALEC).
Community Collaboration:
- OCTOBER 2009: ASBC presented to the Longmont staff of The Mental Health Center
serving Boulder & Broomfield Counties.
- ASBC exhibits
at 3rd Annual Broomfield Sun Microsystems Wellness Fair.
- SEPTEMBER 2009: ASBC exhibits at Louisville Hometown Fair Labor Day.
- ASBC exhibits
at Gordon Biersch Tapping Party.
- ASBC exhibits
at BVSD Professional Development Day.
- ASBC attended
St Vrain Valley School District Media Coordinator’s meeting in support of
Allison Fostveit (ASD parent) author of children’s book entitled “A Boy Named
Mac”.
- Summer 2009 ASBC was invited to participate in
DRCOG – regional cooperative governments’ organization to design
transportation needs for the disability community.
- ASBC’s
President attended Autism Society of America Annual Conference in St
Charles. She attended the Chapter Leaders meeting with officers of Autism
Society of America to discuss nationwide unification.
- MAY 2009: ASBC exhibits at Autism Speaks Walk May 30.
- ASBC campaigns throughout Colorado for a
special groups license plate supporting Autism Awareness.
- APRIL 2009: ASBC & Pump it Up! Broomfield hosts our first ASA BOUNCE
Fundraiser.
- FEBRUARY 2009: ASBC exhibits at Boulder Valley School District’s Transition to Adult
Resource Fair.
- 2009:ASBC &
Imagine! host the Colorado Autism Commission Boulder Public Hearing.
- 2009:ASBC exhibits
at Imagine! Provider Fair and Information Session.
- JANUARY 2009: ASBC exhibits at ASA/AMC Sensory Friendly Film Series at AMC Flatiron
14 every month throughout the year. First showing in January.
- OCTOBER 2009: ASBC presented to the Longmont staff of The Mental Health Center serving Boulder & Broomfield Counties.
- ASBC
co-sponsored with Healthy Learning Paths of Broomfield “Understanding
Autism” in February 2008.
- SketchUp, an
award-winning design software product by Google. Makers of SketchUp
reached out to their local Autism Society of America (ASA) chapter, Autism
Society of Boulder County to learn more about autism and why their product was
attractive to ASD individuals.
- Google and ASBC exhibit SketchUp
during Autism Society of America’s July 2008 Conference in Orlando, Florida.
- ASBC exhibits at Pharmaca’s
annual Natural Kids celebration, August, 2008.
- ASBC exhibits at Assisted Cycling
Tours first Fundraiser & Picnic, October, 2008.
- ASBC exhibits at 2nd
Annual Broomfield Sun Microsystems Wellness Fair, October, 2008
Autism
Society National Organization Collaboration:
- 2009: ASBC as a local chapter of Autism Society and a member of the
Southwest Region was chosen to participate in a unification pilot project
slated for 2009. Our Chapter Leader & President will participate in Autism
Society’s nationwide chapter unification meetings throughout the year.
- 2009: ASA/ASBC Colorado Marathon
in Fort Collins on May 3. Local participants Allison Fostveit and Michael
Turpin raised $4791.20 for this collaboration.
- 2009:
ASA BOUNCE: It’s a fun, family event that benefits the Autism Society of
America and the local ASA Chapter who hosts this event. Kids, grown-ups and
friends of all ages can bounce at Pump It Up, America’s #1 inflatable party
zone, while raising money and awareness for autism care, support, treatment and
research.
- 2009: ASA
& AMC Sensory Friendly Film Series; AMC approached ASA with an idea of
partnering on offering Sensory Friendly Films in their theatres for people with
autism and other disabilities affecting sensory integration so that they and
their families could enjoy a movie together.
The Autism Society of Boulder County relies on donations and volunteers to continue our efforts to support the community. |
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