Autism Care Today (ACT
Autism Care Today’s goal is to introduce and help facilitate early and on-going treatment by providing the necessary resources (including referrals, funding and guidance) to individuals with autism and their families throughout the United States. Studies demonstrate that early and intense intervention is important when treating individuals with autism, yet sadly very few of the effective treatments are covered by medical insurance and families are often relegated to piece together a treatment program for their child via multiple funding sources.
However, all too often, the child with autism must go without vital interventions due to financial constraints.
Autism Care Today strives to provide necessary services so that each child with autism can reach his or her highest potential.
HISTORY
ACT Today! is the brainchild of several passionate people who believe access to early, effective treatment is vital for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Together with Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, a leading provider of therapy to autistic children with over 25 years of experience, this group created ACT Today! in 2005 to do just as the name implies – take action immediately to treat autism. With an active board and a small staff, ACT Today! has steadily grown since its founding. Not only does ACT Today! continue to distribute funds for treatment services but ACT Today! has also launched the first nationwide campaign to help military children who have autism as they have unique challenges. Military families must fight a war on two fronts, one overseas and one for their loved one with autism. This campaign is called ACT Today! for Military Families (ATMF). In addition, ACT Today! builds awareness that effective treatments for children with autism do work. We do this via providing parental resources, news articles, blogs, and television appearances.
To learn more about ACT Today! for Military Families, visit us at www.acttodayformilitaryfamilies.org
About Our Grant Program
Grants will be allocated based on annual fundraising activities. The Board of Directors will determine the number and amounts of each grant at the beginning of each term. Requests for endowments or multi-year grants will not be accepted. Each application is kept in our system for two consecutive grant cycles after which the applicant must re-apply. Once we determine how much we can give each quarter, we review the following items when considering approval of a grant request: Completion of grant application – The application must be completed in its entirety to be reviewed. Partially completed applications will be kept on file for one year and additional information may be submitted to make the application complete within that timeframe. Amount of grant request – Typical grants awarded range between $100 – $5,000. Household income – While we have not set an income level cap, incomes below $100,000 per year are reviewed first. Type of treatment requested – Our mission is to fund effective treatments, assessments and needed life supports. Numbers of family members with ASD diagnosis – Applications from families with multiple children with ASDs are reviewed first. Should your grant be funded, you will be asked to complete two short questionnaires regarding your experiences as a result of the funding you received. We also encourage families to share photos and stories. Once approved for a grant, families have 12 months to use the funds. Applicant receiving a grant agrees to repay the grant if any services paid for with the grant are reimbursed by another funding source, such as, a school district or insurance company.
ACT Today! SOS
ACT Today! SOS is a program dedicated to supporting the immediate and imperative needs of those impacted with autism. We recognize that some individuals diagnosed with autism who are in immediate personal danger or harm are unable to wait up to 12 weeks for a response to their request. The ACT Today! SOS Program is designed to provide immediate support for these families based upon need and the program funds available
Keywords: Spanish