When I decided to establish my own nonprofit organization, I wasn't exactly sure where to start. I decided to sit down and put together an outline for a program that would bring much needed resources to our local public schools. One thing I new for sure was that our local universities are some of the finest in the world and there are hundreds of students that can use the practical experience that public schools can offer. For example, I knew that students in San Jose State's school of social work had to work 15 to 20 hours per week to earn their practicum units. These are required hours, why not have them work in our public schools?
Rather than just writing down what I wanted to do, I decided to include the benefits I hoped to deliver to the various program partners/participants. It was a bit amateurish but for an evening's work I believe it had real potential.
It took me two hours to develop the outline and the next morning, I was online to Stanford University, the University of Santa Clara, San Jose State University and Cal State East Bay. I contacted numerous professors in the schools of education, social work, psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy, kinesics, pediatric medicine and child psychiatry; anyone and everyone I thought might have an interest in developmental disabilities. Over the next several days I would send out more than 450 introductory emails to the various universities in and around the Bay Area.
Here is a copy of my first attempt at developing an outline for a collaborative community based program designed to provide much needed human resources for our schools while establishing training opportunities for aspiring educators and therapist.
Rather than just writing down what I wanted to do, I decided to include the benefits I hoped to deliver to the various program partners/participants. It was a bit amateurish but for an evening's work I believe it had real potential.
It took me two hours to develop the outline and the next morning, I was online to Stanford University, the University of Santa Clara, San Jose State University and Cal State East Bay. I contacted numerous professors in the schools of education, social work, psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy, kinesics, pediatric medicine and child psychiatry; anyone and everyone I thought might have an interest in developmental disabilities. Over the next several days I would send out more than 450 introductory emails to the various universities in and around the Bay Area.
Here is a copy of my first attempt at developing an outline for a collaborative community based program designed to provide much needed human resources for our schools while establishing training opportunities for aspiring educators and therapist.
THE AUTISM PROJECT, SILICON VALLEY
ORGANIZATIONAL GOAL
MISSION, PROGRAM FEATURES AND BENEFITS
1) To create programs and resources in our community utilizing University students in various relevant disciplines to address to needs of families of children with autism.
Benefits:
Community benefits from new programs designed to address the needs of this ever- expanding segment of our society.
Public Schools benefit from 1) Training and practical experience for new educators and for those looking to expand their knowledge base. 2) Additional resources provided by interns. 3) Parent involvement=ownership in program. 4) Schools are required to provide speech therapy and occupational therapy for disabled students. Most schools struggle with this law due to staff shortages and constant State budget cuts. This program can provide supplemental resources to provide such services.
Parent’s benefit from the opportunity to participate in creating the programs that they feel will best address the needs of their families.
 |
| Santa Clara University |
2) To facilitate cooperative projects and programs between school districts, parents, community based organizations and local businesses to provide a holistic approach to the problems presented by this disability.
Benefit:
Community and Society Benefits
The issues and concerns of those in the “autistic community” are actually the issues and concerns of us all. According to statistical information provide by the Autism Society of America, the cost of autism will reach $400 Billion annually by the year 2013. The Center For Disease Control reports that autism occurs in 1 of every 150 births. The affect of this disability can be felt in our schools and in our community however the true affect of autism has yet to have it’s true impact in our workforce. How will this generation of children contribute to our society? What are we doing to address their future and the growing numbers of those to follow?
 |
| Santa Clara County Office of Education |
3) To work with local universities and institutions of higher education to develop and implement a standard for the certification of educators and administrators who work with children who have autism.
Benefit:
Universities can provide students with a recognizable focus or emphasis with their degree program.
(The State of California has no credential program for those who work with people who have autism. Currently, the credential falls under “Special Education” and does not recognize any particular special focus.)
 |
| San Jose State University |
4) To create programs that encourage and promote the inclusion of children with autism in daily activities, inclusion programs that are designed to help children become productive members of our community.
Benefit:
Community and Society Benefits
Programs will provide children and extended family members with opportunities to participate in recreational, social and public activities. The socialization of these individuals and their ability to function within the rules and “norms” of our society is critical in their growth as members of our community.
5) To provide parents with additional resources and new methodologies to actively participate in growth and future success of children with autism.
Benefit:
Community and Society Benefits
The program emphasizes parental participation in the development of local programs. Monthly public meetings, program evaluations and community needs assessments allow the parents a voice in the development and implementation of programs and projects.
University benefit from interaction with community groups, parents and service providers. TAP program provides the ideal setting to conduct research, assess needs and establish new trends and strategies in dealing with this disability.
Community Based Organizations and other service providers benefit from TAP’s overall concept. By the its very nature, The Autism Project, Silicon Valley is an advocate of all who provide services to families of children who have autism.
6) To create a seamless network of resources and services to help families cope with the myriad challenges presented by this debilitating disability.
Benefit:
Community Based Organizations and other service providers benefit by being able to leverage their services and expand their client base as TAP expands its services.
 |
| Stanford University |
Families benefit from the myriad services, inter-agency networking and opportunities provided by our program.
Public schools benefit from the relationships and resources that an independent non-profit organization can develop.ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES
1) Assist in establishing autism accreditation methodology within local universities.
2) Establish criteria for autism studies at Universities within the Cal State system.
3) Establish a model for community-based organizations to address the myriad challenges presented by this disability.
4) Establish and manage public communication forum for autism related issues and education.
6) To foster and develop cooperative programs between existing public service providers
7) Assist Universities in the administration and management of community services programs and projects.
8) Facilitate service delivery of University/Intern program.
9) Assess the needs of the community through public meetings and resource analysis.
10) Encourage and facilitate parental participation in the development and delivery of programs and services
 |
| Therapeutic Riding Centers |
While the idea was noble, the need glaring and the resources available, I did not seriously consider the basic truism of collaborative community organizing with public schools and universities; unless there is grant money involved, universities will not work in their local community, no matter how important or noble the cause. Universities may participate, if you create the program to fit their criteria otherwise those resources are virtually untouchable. It's an unbelievable missed opportunity for our universities, our K-12 system, parents, students, future educators and therapist.
No comments:
Post a Comment