a vital resource for autism...and each other!
Free COVID tests are now available for easy online ordering. Every household in the U.S. can order one set of four at-home tests through COVIDtests.gov. This is part of ongoing efforts to scale up access to tests, with site-based testing facilities experiencing high demand.
Tests generally return results within 15 minutes, and do not involve the deep swabbing that some laboratory tests require.
Tips to help you commemorate, celebrate, and support the United Nations World World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd and National Awareness Day Month in April.
Bonnie Gillman, Founder and Executive Director of the Grandparent Autism Network and the Family Autism Network program, will be honored on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at California State University-Fullerton’s Honor An Educator event. Bonnie initiated cost-free Socials for Adults with Autism and their Caregivers in 2014 with enthusiastic assistance from faculty members and students at CSUF. Those successful events enabled her to form a unique collaboration with CSUF, Chapman University and the University of California-Irvine. Faculty members and students from all 3 campuses assist at socials – and now students from 10 colleges and universities also participate.
Last October, CSUF hosted 350 guests at the annual Spooktacular Social. The socials enable students to learn about the challenges confronting individuals with autism and how autism impacts three generations in families. Students arrive at the Socials as volunteers – and they leave as autism advocates!
Please support CSUF and this event that honors Bonnie Gillman with the Distinguished Education Partner Award. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation that benefits the CSUF College of Education.
DISTINGUISHED HONOREES:
Dr. Ellen Junn
President, California State University, Stanislaus
Distinguished Education Leadership Award
Zoila Gallegos ’13
Assistant Principal, Brookhurst Junior High School
Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award
Tracy Siudzinski ’08
Manager, Learning & Development, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award
Westminster School District
Distinguished Education Excellence Award
Bonnie Gillman
Founder and Executive Director, Grandparent Autism Network and Family Autism Network Program
Distinguished Education Partner Award
Dan O. Black ’67
Trustee, Black Family Trust
Distinguished Education Community Partner Award
Honor an Educator is a special event paying tribute to community educators and partners who have made a difference in the lives of their students and communities.
You have the opportunity to recognize and honor an extraordinary teacher in your life! Honoring an educator is a meaningful way to applaud the work of educators who impact others every day.
Event proceeds support scholarships for future teachers in Cal State Fullerton’s College of Education.
MORE INFORMATION
Designed to assist in the timely reunification of loved ones who may become displaced from their homes, the program can provide law enforcement crucial information about the registered person even before we arrive at their residence. Individuals with Autism, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Down Syndrome are examples of members of our community who might benefit from this registry.
Take Me Home assists law enforcement personnel by providing critical information including emergency contact information, detailed physical descriptions and photographs. An individual’s communication abilities, routines, behaviors and other helpful information also may be entered to assist law enforcement.
Take Me Home is available to residents who live in the Sheriff’s Department 13 contract cities and unincorporated Orange County. The City of Irvine has their own program called Return Registry Program.
If you live elsewhere, contact your local law enforcement agency to see if they have a comparable program in place.
How to Get Started
To Register a loved one you’ll need an Account.
Don’t have an Account? Register Now.
Once you Register you’ll receive an email at the address provided. Click the link in the email to set a password and confirm your account.
Participating Cities
Take Me Home is available to residents who live in the Sheriff’s Department 13 contract cities and unincorporated Orange County. If you live in other areas, contact your local law enforcement agencies to see if they have a comparable program in place.
The Enrollment Process is Quick & Easy. Get Started Today
March 23, 2018
The Kevin & Avonte’s law has passed and there is new hope for families to locate missing loved ones with autism, Alzheimers disease and related conditions who may wander. The bill improves access to technologies that search for missing people and it expands training for caregivers and first responders to help prevent wandering by vulnerable individuals. It makes voluntary tracking devises available to those at risk of wandering.
More information on Kevin and Avonte’s Law is available HERE. Bill text can be found HERE.
Last year, the Obama Administration implemented new rules to help protect wages for hourly caregivers by requiring that in-home care workers be paid minimum wage and overtime. Various industry groups have been challenging the ruling but as of this past July, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear any more cases against the ruling.
Check out the Disability Scoop for more information about Caregiver pay: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/07/14/caregiver-wage-rule-here-to-stay/22480/?pgnc=1
Receive a GAN logo cap when you make a $25 donation! Click on the button below to order: