A NEXT for AUTISM Grantee Spotlight
2022 NEXT for AUTISM Grantee: The Arc Westchester (Project SEARCH)
Organization Type: Community
Grant Categorie(s): Work
WHO THEY ARE
The Arc Westchester was founded in 1949 by parents who saw a need for a family-led organization to provide services embedded in the community. Today they provide innovative support to children and adults with developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum, Disorder (ASD), and their families. They help those they serve to build independence, achieve personal goals, and strengthen community participation through person-centered services, family support, advocacy, and leadership, that inspire the community to value the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.
2022 GRANT IMPACT
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Six (6) individuals with ASD Served in 2022
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77 individuals with ASD Served Total (since first NEXT funding that launched program at Arc Westchester)
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50% BIPOC
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300 training hours of work preparedness skill development
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600 hours of internship experience in various work settings
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10-months building job skills
Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work program developed specifically for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program includes classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations, culminating in individualized job development. The Autism Enhancement, a program developed by Arc Westchester in collaboration with NEXT in 2012, is an innovative and creative model for deploying project search that accommodates those on the spectrum through additional visual supports and resources. NEXT has provided multi-year funding to Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement because of its bespoke, outcome-driven model.
In 2023, six young adults benefited from 300 hours of skill development and 600 hours of internships at New York Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center. They engaged in three 10-week internships across various departments like pharmacy, IT, and more. Graduating on June 20th, 2023, each continued working with job coaches to secure competitive employment, aiming for integrated settings with fair compensation, and at least sixteen hours per week.
THE RESULT
- Six (6) participants completed the 10-month internship program
- Interns supported several events at New York Presbyterian Behavior Health (NYPBH) including the Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB) Holiday team meeting, and staffing an Autism Awareness Month Information Table
- For the first time, one intern has been asked to stay on as a NYPBH Volunteer during July and August in the pharmacy, to check expiration dates on medications until the next cohort's intern arrives
BE PART OF WHAT'S NEXT FOR AUTISM
- Support funding for NEXT for AUTISM's grants program, including organizations like The Arc Westchester--Project SEARCH. Make a gift today
- Learn more about NEXT's grants program, and share our work and grant opportunities in the community.
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