Health and Community Services
January 13, 2011
Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Receives
Funding for New Initiatives
Children with autism and their families will benefit from $60,000 in one-time funding provided to the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL). The funding will be used for three initiatives that will help extend autism services in the province, expand the ASNL library resources and increase education.
“We know that autism is a challenging condition both for the individual and the families involved,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “Autism spectrum disorders affect each person differently so we must continue to find ways to help families and individuals cope with the disorder by providing supports and the required resources for education, programs and services.”
In the Western Region a project will be launched that will see a program consultant located in Corner Brook to oversee the delivery of programs and services. This will involve the development of a library, resource materials and sessions to assist parents and others affected by autism, a community therapeutic recreational program and necessary support services primarily for families.
The ASNL loaning libraries in the Barbara J. Hopkins Library located in the Elaine Dobbin Centre, and in the Clarenville and Grand Falls-Windsor offices will be expanded and a new library will be established in Corner Brook.
The funding announced today will also support regional training throughout the province which will focus on autism awareness sessions for families, the general public and some targeted sessions for groups such as law enforcement and first responders. Other sessions focusing on medical, therapeutic and educational supports will be offered by professionals from health, education, medicine and other disciplines.
“Autism affects one in 132 children in this province,” said Doreen Stryde, President, Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. “It is our goal to support families by expanding programs and services across the province. Today’s funding will continue to allow us to do that by establishing a centre in the Western Region, expanding our loaning libraries and resource materials, and allowing programs being piloted at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism to be transitioned to our centres across the province. We thank the Provincial Government for its support and investment to date.”
Over the past six years, $1,275,000 has been provided under the ASNL to help with operations, programs and service delivery. In addition, through initiatives like the Direct Home Services Program and Community Behavioural Services Program, the Provincial Government works in partnership with the Regional Health Authorities to provide support and services to individuals and their families with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca