Grant will help GMPI Support Children and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

April 10, 2008 - Greater Marlboro Programs, Inc., (GMPI) has won a grant to provide family support services and stipends to disadvantaged families of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. 

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. has given GMPI $17,600 to better support the families of children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder whom they currently serve, as well as additional families.  These families will have greater access to GMPI support services as well as a greater ability to purchase individualized services on their own, Carol Manne, GMPI Executive Director said.  “One of the support services they will be able to more readily access is respite and this grant will also help to provide trained staff for respite care.” 

“Ten years ago, we started “Dougie’s Team” to increase the awareness of autism and provide support for families caring for children with autism,” said Doug Flutie.  “Providing this funding is even more crucial in times of federal and state budget cuts and because of the fact that the numbers of children being diagnosed with autism has increased significantly over the past ten years.  The respite and other services provided by GMPI will help to improve the quality of life for families and give them a hope for the future.   We are very happy to provide the much needed funding.”

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc’s mission is to aid financially disadvantaged families who need assistance in caring for their children with autism; to fund education and research into the causes and consequences of childhood autism; and to serve as a clearinghouse and communications center for new programs and services developed for individuals with autism.