what they call their work
what they do
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Autism Family & Peer Support Groups 14 activities
- Autistic Adult Support and Social GroupsOrganizes various monthly in-person and online support and social groups for autistic adults, including a West Valley social meetup for ages 20+, an online discussion and social group for ages 30+, an in-person connection and social group for ages 30+, and an online peer-led support group for ages 40+ with later-life diagnoses.
- BE SAFE Interactive ScreeningsHosts BE SAFE Interactive Screenings across Arizona, pairing local police officers with teens and adults with Autism to facilitate mutual learning and mentorship.
- BE SAFE Interactive ScreeningsHosts BE SAFE Interactive Screenings across Arizona that pair local police officers with teens and adults with autism to promote mutual understanding, safety awareness, and mentorship.
- Community Engagement and Awareness ProgramsHosts BE SAFE Interactive Screenings across Arizona, pairing local police officers with teens and adults with Autism for mutual learning and mentorship. Also offers a 360-degree virtual experience called "The Party" to simulate the sensory environment of autism.
- Informational Resources and Sensory ExperiencesProvides informational videos addressing common questions about autism and related services, a list of commonly used acronyms in the disability community, and a 360-degree virtual experience titled "The Party" to simulate the sensory environment of autism.
- Informational Resources and ToolsProvides informational videos addressing common questions about autism, a list of commonly used acronyms in the disability community, and a 360-degree virtual experience titled "The Party" to simulate the sensory environment of autism.
- Informational Resources and ToolsProvides informational videos addressing common questions about autism, maintains a list of commonly used acronyms in the disability community, and invites community input to expand this list.
- Informational and Educational MaterialsProvides informational videos about autism and related services, maintains a list of commonly used disability-related acronyms (with an invitation for community input to expand it), and offers online resource pages covering topics such as navigating autism in Arizona and safety.
- Parent and Caregiver Support GroupsHosts monthly online and in-person support group meetings for parents and caregivers to connect, share information, and provide mutual support.
- Support Groups and Social Meetups for Autistic Individuals and CaregiversOrganizes monthly online and in-person support groups for parents and caregivers, as well as social outings and meetups for autistic adults of various age groups (20+, 30+, 40+), including a Young Adult Neurodiverse Support Group (17-35) and a peer-led group for later-life diagnoses.
- Support Groups and Social Meetups for Autistic Individuals and FamiliesOrganizes monthly support group meetings for parents and caregivers, available online and in-person. It also hosts various social groups for autistic adults, including an in-person meetup for ages 20+ in the West Valley, an online discussion group for ages 30+, an in-person connection group for ages 30+, and an online peer-led support group for ages 40+ with later-life diagnoses. Additionally, virtual game nights are offered for teens aged 12-19.
- Support Groups for Autistic AdultsFacilitates a range of support groups and social meetups for autistic adults, including: a monthly in-person group for adults aged 20+ in the West Valley; a monthly online discussion group for adults aged 30+; a monthly in-person social group for adults aged 30+; and a peer-led online support group for adults aged 40+ with later-life diagnoses.
- Support Groups for Parents, Caregivers, and FamiliesHosts monthly online and in-person support groups and meetups for parents and caregivers of autistic individuals, providing opportunities to connect, share information, and offer mutual support.
- Young Adult Neurodiverse Support GroupOperates an in-person Young Adult Neurodiverse Support Group for individuals aged 17-35, focusing on building connections, friendships, and social skills through activities and small group discussions.
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Autism Family Education Classes 8 activities
- Autism 101 Training SeriesOffers a free monthly online "Autism 101" class via Zoom for parents and family members new to autism or Arizona, covering service access, special education processes, and resources. This series also includes an "Autismo 101 en español" class for Spanish-speaking families.
- Autism 101 Training SeriesOffers free monthly online "Autism 101" classes in English and Spanish for families of newly diagnosed children with autism, those at risk, or families new to Arizona, covering service access, special education processes, and state care systems. Resources discussed are available on the "Navigating Autism in AZ" resource page.
- Autism 101 Training SeriesOffers free monthly online "Autism 101" classes in English and Spanish for families of newly diagnosed children with autism, those at risk, or families new to Arizona, covering service access, special education processes, and state care systems. These classes are held on the third Tuesday of each month, with resources available on the "Navigating Autism in AZ" resource page.
- Online Autism 101 Training SeriesOffers free monthly online "Autism 101" classes for families of newly diagnosed children, those at risk, or families new to Arizona, covering service access, special education, and state systems of care. Classes are held on the third Tuesday of each month via Zoom and include Spanish-language offerings ("Autismo 101 en español").
- Online Transition 101 Class and ResourcesProvides a free monthly online Transition 101 class on the first Thursday of each month for individuals and families of autistic people aged 14+, focusing on post-high school services and resources. Complements the class with a dedicated Transition to Adulthood resource page.
- Transition 101 Class and ResourcesProvides a free online "Transition 101" class monthly for individuals and families of autistic people aged 14 and older to learn about post-high school services and resources. A dedicated resource page features information discussed in the class.
- Transition 101 Class and ResourcesOffers a free online Transition 101 class monthly for individuals and families of autistic people aged 14 and older to learn about post-high school services and resources. The organization also maintains a resource page with information discussed in the class.
- Transition 101 Class and ResourcesProvides a free online "Transition 101" class monthly for individuals and families of autistic people aged 14 and older, focusing on post-high school services and resources. This is supported by a "Transition to Adulthood" resource page.
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Community Resource Referral & Navigation 3 activities
- Community Resource Navigation and ReferralsConnects individuals and families to a wide range of resources, including counselors, family support partners, crisis resources (suicide hotlines, crisis housing), domestic violence resources, employment organizations, food assistance programs, health and medical resources, housing choices (group homes, assisted living, Section 8), safety resources, and therapy/service providers for DDD/ALTCS members.
- Resource Connection and Referral ServicesConnects individuals and families to a wide range of community resources, including crisis support (suicide hotlines, crisis housing), domestic violence shelters, food assistance programs, housing options (group homes, assisted living, Section 8), employment services, health and medical care, therapy providers for DDD/ALTCS members, and safety resources.
- Resource Navigation and ReferralsConnects individuals and families to a wide range of resources including counselors, family support partners, crisis resources (suicide hotlines, crisis housing), domestic violence resources, employment assistance, food assistance programs, health and medical services, housing choices, and therapy/service providers for DDD/ALTCS members.
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ADA Complaint Investigation & Response 2 activities
- Advocacy for DDD ServicesProvides guidance on contacting the Division’s Customer Service Department to report issues with DDD or support coordinators, ensuring member concerns are tracked and resolved.
- DDD Customer Service GuidanceProvides guidance on contacting the Division’s Customer Service Department to report issues with DDD or support coordinators, which tracks member concerns and ensures resolution.
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Youth Online Gaming & Virtual Social Programs 2 activities
- Virtual Game Nights for TeensHosts virtual game nights for teens aged 12-19, playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch System.
- Youth and Young Adult Social ProgramsHosts virtual game nights for teens aged 12–19 featuring Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Nintendo Switch, and operates an in-person Young Adult Neurodiverse Support Group for individuals aged 17–35 focused on building friendships and social skills through activities and discussions.
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Special Needs Family Resource Support 1 activity
- Community Resource Navigation and ReferralsProvides information, resources, and support to individuals newly diagnosed with autism or new to Arizona. The organization connects individuals and families with counselors, family support partners, crisis resources (including suicide hotlines and crisis housing), domestic violence resources, employment organizations, food assistance programs, health and medical resources, housing choices, and therapy/service providers.
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Uncategorized 5 activities
- Safety 101 Education ProgramOffers a free online "Safety 101" class twice per year to educate families on safety topics including fire, kitchen, pool, internet, wandering, scams, and emergencies. A Spanish version ("Seguridad 101") is also available. Resources from the class are hosted on a dedicated Safety resource page.
- Safety 101 Training SeriesOffers a free online "Safety 101" class two times per year in English and Spanish to educate families on keeping loved ones safe across all ages and stages of life, covering topics such as fire, kitchen, pool, internet, wandering, scams, and emergencies. Resources are available on a dedicated Safety resource page.
- Safety 101 Training and ResourcesOffers a free online "Safety 101" class two times per year to educate families on keeping loved ones safe across all ages and stages of life, covering topics such as fire, kitchen, pool, internet, wandering, scams, and emergencies. A "Seguridad 101" class is also offered in Spanish, and related resources are provided on a dedicated safety page.
- Safety 101 Training and ResourcesOffers a free online "Safety 101" class twice a year in English and Spanish, educating families on general safety for loved ones across all ages and stages of life, covering topics such as fire, kitchen, pool, internet, wandering, scams, and emergencies. Resources are available on its Safety resource page.
- Support for New Diagnoses and New Arizona ResidentsProvides targeted information, resources, and support to individuals who are newly diagnosed with autism or are new to Arizona, helping them navigate local systems of care.
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who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia Fryer | Executive Director | 40 | $39K |
| Cynthia Macluskie | President | 5 | $6K |
| Katie Wride | Director | 5 | $6K |
- Crystal Benzing — Director
- Dana Woods — Director
- Erica Smith — Director
- Jim Adams — Director
- Kristen Puma — Director
- Rebecca Adams — Director
- Susan Sunseri Thru 322 — Director
who they work with
- AZCentral Partner — Mentioned in an article about the need for continued training for first responders on interacting with people with autism.
- Arizona Center for Disability Law Partner — Distributes the DDD Grievance and Appeals Brochure produced by this organization.
- Arizona Center for Disability Law Partner — Links to resources from the Arizona Center for Disability Law for filing grievances and appeals with DDD.
- Arizona Department of Economic Security Government — Provides links to DES manuals related to ALTCS and DDD services.
- Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Government — Links to AHCCCS FAQ sheet on parents as paid caregivers.
- Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Government — Provides referral information for reporting fraud and quality of care complaints to AHCCCS.
- Aspen Behavioral Consulting Partner — Dr. Diana Davis-Wilson from Aspen Behavioral Consulting provided a testimonial for the Safety 101 Training.
- Attain ABA Partner — Provides ABA therapy services for children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental delays, and supports families.
- Channel 12 News Partner — Mentioned in an article about police training to recognize Autism spectrum behaviors.
- Division of Developmental Disabilities Partner — Provides referral information for filing grievances and appeals with DDD and its Customer Service Department.
- KJZZ 91.5 Partner — Mentioned in an article about Buckeye Police increasing autism training.
- Rainbow Acres Partner — Partner organization mentioned in connection with resources for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Sweetwater Care, LLC Partner — Arizona-based HCBS agency providing DDD services, mentioned as a supporter or resource for the Safety 101 class.
- White Mountain Independent Partner — Mentioned in an article about training promoting safe interactions between police and special needs individuals.