Parents, Children, and Care Providers
Joined with Council Members
In The 1 In 150 Campaign — Autism Initiative

New York, NY, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 — Parents, providers and consumers gathered at City Hall to ask the City Council for the continuation of valuable autism services and  the renewal of the funding of $1.5 million city-wide.

Lifespire was granted $100,000 as a result of this initiative for the development of a Saturday Respite Program for children with autism in Queens. The program ran every Saturday, from February 2nd to June 21st and served 32 children between the ages of 8 and 21. Lifespire requested additional funding from the city council to reopen the program. . “This is the first help that Frankie has gotten in his 20 years of life besides school. I hope this program will continue for it provides great pleasure to Frankie.”  said Genevieve Castillano, Grandmother of Frankie Palmerie.

Lifespire’s presence at the June 18th rally was priceless. Our supporters were 30 of our very own consumers with 10 staff, carrying the “Renew Autism Funding” signs that they have made themselves.

Council Member David Weprin stated at the rally “Autism and related communication disorders on the autism spectrum have reached epidemic proportions, as evidenced by the recent federal report by the Centers for Disease Control, which stated that 1 in 150 children are now born with autism. With this initiative, the Council has filled an important gap in services for autistic children and their families. While we cannot offer autistic children and their families a cure for the disorder, with this initiative, we can ensure that they can enjoy a better quality of life by providing them with year-round services that support their educational and social needs.”

Thanks to the City Council's "1 in 150" Autism Services Initiative, about two-thirds of the $1.575 million is being used in fiscal year 2008 to support wraparound services for high-functioning children on the autism spectrum, who otherwise do not qualify for publicly funded programs. The remainder of the funding is used to reach out to and educate thousands of parents and caregivers through local community conferences and workshops. 
 

“As a parent of an autistic child, I know that every day is a race against time to receive the services that can shape the rest of your child’s life. I am proud to stand here today to call for the city to continue to fund a progressive and comprehensive program that delivers services to parents and children in their own neighborhoods. This citywide initiative recognizes the realities of autism: that it is growing; that it can affect anyone, anywhere; and that no family should have to waste valuable time because of lack of accessible, affordable services,” said Council Member Hiram Monserrate.