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Spring
2016

Ridgeview High School

Specially Designed P.E.
Awarded
$1,800.93

The Specially Designed P.E. program at Ridgeview High School provides students with disabilities, both intellectual and physical, the opportunity to experience all aspects of a comprehensive PE program. The funds will be used to purchase single rider adult tricycles to be used to ride around the track during P.E.


Spring
2016

Ponte Vedra/ Palm Valley Rawlings Elementary School

Awarded
$250

Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Elementary received a $250 grant for being the 4th place school fundraising team at The HEAL Zoo Walk.  PV PV Rawlings plans to purchase mini-trampolines and iPad cases with their funds.


Spring
2016

Sabal Palms Elementary

Sensory Room
Awarded
$1,200

The grant will be used to purchase sensory items to create a centralized sensory room that can be utilized by all Communication and Social Skills programs (CSS) at Sabal Palms Elementary School.


Spring
2016

St Johns School District

iHEAL Grant
Awarded
$808

Ipads were given to ESE classrooms at Ponte Vedra High School and Bartram Springs Elementary school to enhance the learning experience.


Fall
2016

ACCEPTS

Facilitated Communication Skill Building Workshop
Awarded
$5,000

The Facilitated Communication Skill Building Workshop will offer introductory training for parents and teachers who are new to FC. The seminar will help non verbal or verbally limited individuals to communicate through typing with a goal of independence.


Fall
2016

BASCA Inc.

BASCA Creations
Awarded
$2,500

BASCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with development and intellectual disabilities in Northeast Florida. They have recently purchased a 24,000 foot complex that will allow them to increase their services 200%.


Fall
2016

Catholic Charities Bureau

Camp I am Special
Awarded
$2,045

Camp I am Special offers weeklong, overnight camp sessions with activities that are modified to meet the needs of the campers.  The funds will be used to purchase a special bike for campers with balance needs.


Fall
2016

Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens

2017 VSA Festival
Awarded
$5,000

The VSA Festival provides unique museum-based, hands on opportunities for more than 2,200 children, teachers and families over a four day period. Public students from the surrounding five county Exceptional Education Student Services program rotate through eight art stops in the in the Museum's galleries and gardens to create art, view The Cummer's collection, listen to live musicians and storytellers, and learn about art appreciation.  The Grant will be used to help fund this May 3-6, 2017 event.


Fall
2016

Flip Dog Yoga

Special Needs Awareness Yoga Program
Awarded
$2,500

The goal is to spread the word that yoga can be enjoyed and should be part of the therapy equation for every person with disabilities. The grant funds will be used to offset the cost to participants. These are 6 week classes .


Fall
2016

Haven Horse Ranch, Inc.

Equine Therapy
Awarded
$2,500

Primary mission of Haven Horse Ranch: "to assist each child with special needs in reaching their full potential through interaction and therapy with rescued horses." A licensed Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center providing Free Equine Assisted Therapy. It's the only facility in NE Florida providing full time, free, therapy, 6 days per week for those with Autism, MS, MD, Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, Learning disabilities, Developmental Delays, and at risk and abused youth. The grant will provide 100 sessions of Equine Therapy along with camp and various "horse shows"  for local children diagnosed specifically with an ASD.


Fall
2016

Hope Therapy

Scholarship for Hope
Awarded
$2,500

Hope Therapy provides hippotherapy as well as therapeutic riding to children and adults on the Autism Spectrum Disorder.


Fall
2016

Jacksonville Miracle League

Special Needs Baseball
Awarded
$2,500

Grant funds will be used to offset uniforms.


Spring
2015

ACCEPTS

New Wave Typing Summer Skills Camp
Awarded
$1,400

Grant funds will be used to train and educate families a communication method called Facilitated Communication. The families will learn methods that will allow personal interactions via iPads. Campers will work on social skills, and other activities in addition to the typing.

Spring
2015

ACCEPTS

Facilitated Communication Training Seminar
Awarded
$5,000

The Facilitated Community Training Seminar will train 12 families (one child and four trainees). The seminar will help nonverbal or verbally limited individuals to communicate through typing with a goal of independence.

Spring
2015

Alden Road Exceptional Student Center

Awarded
$200

Alden Road Exceptional Student Center is committed to provide individualized instruction within a safe and positive learning environment that promotes self determination, advocacy and skills for life long learning.

Spring
2015

Catholic Charities Bureau

Camp Cummer Scholarships
Awarded
$2,500

Camp Cummer is a week-long summer camp taught by full-time Museum Educators whose work is supported whose work is supported by the time and talent of dozensf of volunteers. Camp Cummer is a fun summer camp that offers fun, adventurous ways for children to grow by discovering art and person Expression. The Cummer will have six one-week programs for grades 1 through 6. These campers will print, draw, paint, create with clay, and learn new ways to think and talk about art in the galleries and gardens. The Cummer will also offer a one-week session grades 6 through 9. These campers will learn the skills of printmaking, drawing, painting, and clay techniques while being inspired by masterworks in the galleries and the histories gardens. All the children will also spend time exploring Art Connections.

Spring
2015

Girl Scouts of Gateway Council

Camp I Am Special
Awarded
$2,000

Camp I Am Special offers 7 week-long summer residential camps and at least 1 weekend mini-camp during the year for children with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities and disorders such as Autism, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a safe, loving environment with one-on-one support. Thanks to HEAL, there will be scholarships for campers with Autism to help offset the high cost of camp.

Spring
2015

City of Jacksonville Beach

Special Day at the Beach/Riding the Wave of Autism
Awarded
$4,000

The Super Surf Camp will provide a fun day in the sun for the children with educated instructors and fun equipment including kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards, catamarans and safety equipment. These funds make this 2-day camp affordable for up to 35 families.

Spring
2015

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Camp Cummer Scholarships
Awarded
$2,000

Camp Cummer is a week-long summer camp taught by full-time Museum Educators whose work is supported by the time and talent of dozens of volunteers. Camp Cummer is a fun summer camp that offers adventurous ways for children to grow by discovering art and person expression. The Cummer will have six one-week programs for grades 1 through 6. These campers will print, draw, paint, create with clay, and learn new ways to think and talk about art in the galleries and gardens. All the children will also spend time exploring Art Connections. A grant from HEAL will scholarship ten children with Autism to attend.

Spring
2015

Family Farms of Northeast Florida (The Parent Help Center)

Camp Consequence
Awarded
$4,000

This parent help center holds Camp Consequence monthly for children and parents. The children are taught that everyday decisions they make in life carry consequences. They also run Max's Farm that runs 24/7 to help parents who find themselves in a crisis. They can accommodate 10 children at a time at their facility. Funds from HEAL will help families affected by Autism as they access these services.

Spring
2015

Haven Horse Ranch, Inc.

Awarded
$1,500

The primary mission of Haven Horse Ranch is to assist each child with special needs in reaching their full potential through interaction and therapy with rescued horses. It is a licensed Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center providing Free Equine Assisted Therapy. It's the only facility in NE Florida providing full time, free, therapy, 6 days per week for those with Autism, MS, MD, Celebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, learning disabilities, Developmental Delays, and att-risk and abused youth.

Spring
2015

Henderson Haven

Camp Possible 2015
Awarded
$5,000

Camp Possible 2015 will provide learning in a fun environment while promoting age-appropriate social skills. Each week Camp Possible will have a different theme, which will relate to an area of living an independent life, such as safety and/or health. Camp Possible hosted 42 campers last summer, of which 36 had an Autism diagnosis.

Spring
2015

Hope Therapy

Scholarship for Hope
Awarded
$2,500

The grant will be used to help alleviate costs for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and therapeutic riding to children and adults diagnosed with Autism utilizing hippotherapy.

Spring
2015

HUG Help Us Golf Inc.

Awarded
$1,500

HUG - Junior Golf Camp focuses on teaching the game of golf to juniors within the autism spectrum. The HUG Junior Golf Program is hosted at the TOUR Academy at TPC Sawgrass. This program integrates the following into the golf camp: physical fitness, history/rules of the game, environmental stewardship/golf course maintenance and the fundamentals of the golf swing. One of the goals of the program is that it will be a model for other PGA Professionals to use at their facility/community.

Spring
2015

Inclusion Solution

Bowling and Fishing programs for families
Awarded
$2,360

Inclusion Solution provides structured programs for families with children with autism and related disorders. They provide trained and experienced adult volunteers to be on site to help with grouping children, starting conversations and waiting turns. Both bowling and fishing programs help the children and parent by promoting social skills development, introducing them to a extracurricular activity, and fostering a community.

Spring
2015

Jacksonville School for Autism

Summer Enrichment Programs
Awarded
$3,800

The grant will be used to help support the school's summer enrichment program, which includes piano, art enrichment and field trips. JSA's summer programs provide fun for the kids in a learning environment to ease transitions to and from school.

Spring
2015

K.A.R.M.A. Voice Studios

The Butterfly Exchange
Awarded
$1,000

The grant will be used to offset costs for a music camp for children on the Autism Spectrum. At the camp the children will learn what happens behind the scenes of recording a song and producing a music video.

Spring
2015

Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics

Keystone Sensory Garden
Awarded
$2,500

The grant will be used to build a sensory garden. The idea of Sensory Garden is that plants, hard landscaping, and other garden materials are selected for their appeal to all five senses with the aim of offering a richer and more therapeutic experience to children with special needs. This garden relates to Keystone's mission, and correlate to the curriculum.

Spring
2015

Little Star Center

Field Trips and "In House" Trips
Awarded
$2,500

Little Star Center serves as both a school and Behavioral Therapy Center. The school is offering a summer school program which incorporates an intense ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) but with some fun. The grant will be used to help fund some of the summer outings. These include a riverboat cruise, trolley tour, hands on museum and more.

Spring
2015

Morning Star School

Speech/Language Therapy Resources
Awarded
$1,117.14

The grant will be used to purchase speech & language therapy items including iPad applications, Linguist systems, and sensory items that will benefit the 25 students with Autism, one quarter of Morning Star's population.

Spring
2015

North Florida School of Special Education

Flora, Fauna, Fitness Summer Camp
Awarded
$2,000

The school will be providing summer camp for 24 students, many on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. The camp will utilize North Florida School's extensive gardens and hiking trails. The grant will be used to offset the costs associated with the program.

Spring
2015

Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Rawlings

Awarded
$500

The Exceptional Student Education classes will use the grant to purchase items to enhance the learning environment.

Spring
2015

Redeemer Church

Nation Summer VBS/Summer Camp
Awarded
$2,500

Redeemer Church would like to offer Vacation Bible School to special needs children in the Jacksonvillle area. The grant will be used to staff the camp with skilled workers with experience in autism/special needs.

Spring
2015

Ridgeview High School

High School Prom for Kids with Special Needs
Awarded
$744.14

The grant will be used to provide beverages, desserts, appetizers, decorations, and photography for the Ridgeview High Exceptional Student Prom. Many teens in ESE classrooms are not able to attend certain events and activities and miss out on opportunities that others high school students enjoy.

Spring
2015

Southside Elementary

iPad for Pre-K Classroom
Awarded
$751.83

The use of an iPad is very beneficial to students in ESE classrooms. This classroom has several non-verbal children who will benefit from an iPad and apps that can be very helpful in learning and can improve social and communication skills. This grant will also provide a projector and other accessories to make the iPad accessible to the class.

Spring
2015

Ward Creek Elementary

Awarded
$1,000

The Exceptional Student Education classes will use the grant to purchase items to enhance the learning environment.

Spring
2015

Younglife Jacksonville

Capernium Winter Formal
Awarded
$500

Younglife organized a winter formal for teenagers with special needs. The grant money was used to offset these costs.

Fall
2015

Accepts

Facilitated Communication Skill Building Workshop
Awarded
$5,000

The Facilitated Communication Skill Building Workshop will train 8 families (one child and four trainees). The seminar will help non verbal or verbally limited individuals to communicate through typing with a goal of independence.

Fall
2015

BASCA Inc.

BASCA’s Building Dreams Capital Campaign
Awarded
$2,500

BASCA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with development and intellectual disabilities in Northeast Florida. They have recently purchased a 24,000 foot complex that will allow them to increase their services 200%. The grant will be used for a classroom that will house the Lets Cook! Building Abilities of Special Children and Adults program.

Fall
2015

Best Buddies

Best Buddies School Friendship and Ambassador Project
Awarded
$2,500

This project will directly engage at least 155 high school students with and without Autism and related disabilities as associate members, buddies (students with disabilities) and peer buddies.  Students with Autism and related disabilities are paired in one to one mutual mentoring friendships with peers without disabilities. These friendships are maintained for at least one academic year to maintain meaningful friendships to develop. Best Buddies requires that new friends contact each other once per week and spend time together at least twice per month.

Fall
2015

Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens

2016 VSA Festival
Awarded
$2,500

The VSA Festival provides unique museum-based, hands on opportunities for more than 2,200 children, teachers and families over a four day period. Public students from the surrounding five county Exceptional Education Student Services program rotate through eight art stops in the in the Museum's galleries and gardens to create art, view The Cummer's collection, listen to live musicians and storytellers, and learn about art appreciation.  The Grant will be used to help fund this May 3-6, 2016 event.

Fall
2015

Flip Dog Yoga

Special Needs Awareness Yoga Program
Awarded
$1,360

The goal is to spread the word that yoga can be enjoyed and should be part of the therapy equation for every person with disabilities. The grant funds will be used to offset the cost to participants. These classes 6 week classes start January 2.

Fall
2015

Haven Horse Ranch, Inc.

Equine Therapy
Awarded
$2,500

Primary mission of Haven Horse Ranch: "to assist each child with special needs in reaching their full potential through interaction and therapy with rescued horses." A licensed Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center providing Free Equine Assisted Therapy. It's the only facility in NE Florida providing full time, free, therapy, 6 days per week for those with Autism, MS, MD, Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, Learning disabilities, Developmental Delays, and at risk and abused youth. To provide 100 sessions of Equine Therapy along with camp and various "horse shows"  for local children diagnosed specifically with an ASD.

Fall
2015

Henderson Haven

Free 2 Be Me School and After School Programs
Awarded
$2,500

The grant will be used to help cover the costs of educational and therapeutic equipment for the Free 2 Be Me programs. This includes teaching material for elementary students and supplement therapies for students with sensory related disorders.

Fall
2015

Highland Elementary

CSS Material
Awarded
$1,500

The funds will be used to purchase toys and items for the students to use in the classroom. This includes sensory balls, hand fidgets, vibrating pens, and other item to benefit the students.

Fall
2015

Inclusion Solutions

Bowling Buddies program for families
Awarded
$1,010

Provides structured and fun bowling sessions for families with children on the ASD Spectrum. They provide trained and experienced adult volunteers to help with grouping children and starting conversations and wait turns.

Fall
2015

Jacksonville School for Autism

JSA Musical and Visual Arts Program
Awarded
$2,500

The grant will be used to help support the schools enrichment program, which includes piano/music, karate and yoga. Remarkably, many Autistic children have been found to have extraordinary musical and artistic talents.

Fall
2015

Lake Asbury Elementary

Awarded
$1,500

Lake Asbury Elementary School houses 6 self contained ASD units for grades PreK-6th.  Funds will be used to purchase items for the multi-sensory room.

Fall
2015

Ponte Vedra/ Palm Valley Rawlings

Awarded
$1,235

The Exceptional Student Education classes will use the grant to purchase items to enhance the learning environment in the sensory room. They will also purchase iPad stands to enhance the iPad learning initiative.

Fall
2015

Rotary Club of Palatka Sunrise

Awarded
$2,000

Grant will be used for the purchase of tracking bracelets for individuals with cognitive disorders. The goal is to provide every individual with a cognitive impairment in Putnam County a tracking bracelet. This will greatly help in the search and rescue efforts of the individuals.

Fall
2015

World Arts Film Festival

Awarded
$500

The World Arts Film Festival was held Oct 15-17. Almost 5,000 attended this event from 30+ countries. Several of the short screenings were directed by young creative artists on the ASD Spectrum.

Fall
2015

Yulee Primary School

Yulee Primary School-iPads in ESE classroom
Awarded
$1,913

The grant will be used to purchase iPads, cases and earphones will be purchased to enhance to learning experiences for the children in this ESE class.

Spring
2014

Catholic Charities

Camp I Am Special
Awarded
$2,000

Camp I am Special offers 7 week-long summer residential camps and at least 1 weekend mini-camp during the year for children with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities and disorders such as Autism, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Quadriplegia, Sensory Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a safe, loving environment with one-on-one support. The program offers life-enriching experiences, which have been written into the IEPs (Individual Educational Plans) and ITPs (Individual Treatment Plans) of some of our Campers.

Spring
2014

City of Jacksonville Beach

Super Surf Camp
Awarded
$5,000

The Super Surf Camp will provide a fun day in the sun for the children with educated instructors and fun equipment including kayaks, surfboards, boogie boards, catamarans and safety equipment. Come out and ride a wave with the Super Surf Camp!

Spring
2014

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Camp Cummer Scholarships
Awarded
$2,000

Camp Cummer is a week-long summer camp taught by full-time Museum Educators whose work is supported whose work is supported by the time and talent of dozensf of volunteers. Camp Cummer is a fun summer camp that offers fun, adventurous ways for children to grow by discovering art and person Expression. The Cummer will have six one-week programs for grades 1 through 6. These campers will print, draw, paint, create with clay, and learn new ways to think and talk about art in the galleries and gardens. The Cummer will also offer a one-week session grades 6 through 9. These campers will learn the skills of printmaking, drawing, painting, and clay techniques while being inspired by masterworks in the galleries and the histories gardens. All the children will also spend time exploring Art Connections.

Spring
2014

Girl Scouts of Gateway Council

Smile Camp
Awarded
$2,000

Smile Camp is a weeklong summer day camp for children ages 5 to 11 with autism, cerebral palsy, mental handicaps, spina bifida, visual and hearing impairments, as well as other physical health challenges. Smile camp offers children living with disabilities the chance to experience a week of new friends, outdoor adventures, and a sense of belonging.

Spring
2014

Great Strides School

Great Strides Summer Camp
Awarded
$2,000

Great Strides School is a part of Great Strides Rehabilitation, Inc. Great Strides Summer Camp is an 8-week Summer Camp that allows children who would not typically be able to participate in regular summer camps the opportunity to experience a wide range of extracurricular activities while in a safe and highly educational setting under the direct care of individuals trained in dealing specifically with behavior problems in a therapeutic manner. Their mini-camps include: basketball, dance, swim and surf, career exploration, cooking, music and art, and tai chi and yoga. Also the campers will be taking numerous field trips into the community and inviting organizations to our facility to further enhance the student's experience within the camp while experiencing real-life situations.

Spring
2014

Horse Haven Ranch, Inc.

Great Strides Summer
Awarded
$1,500

Primary mission of Haven Horse Ranch: "to assist each child with special needs in reaching their full potential through interaction and therapy with rescued horses." A licensed Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center providing Free Equine Assisted Therapy. It's the only facility in NE Florida providing full time, free, therapy, 6 days per week for those with Autism, MS, MD, Celebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, Learning disabilities, Developmental Delays, and at risk and abused youth. To provide 100 sessions of Equine Therapy along with camp and various "horse shows" (a kind of Special Olympics with horses) for local children diagnosed specifically with an ASD.

Spring
2014

Henderson Haven

Camp Possible 2013
Awarded
$5,000

Camp Possible 2013 will provide learning in a fun environment while promoting age-appropriate social skills. Each week Camp Possible will have a different theme, which will relate to an area of living an independent life, such as safety and/or health. Camp Possible will have volunteers and community resources to enhance the experience for each camper.

Spring
2014

Hope at Hand, Inc.

The Power of Poetry
Awarded
$1,000

The Power of Poetry will provide funding for Hope at Hand to expand services to children on the Autism Spectrum attending Hope Haven Summer Camp. Hope at Hand programming will incorporate poetry, art, language, creative thinking, focus and concentration. Using creativity, language, and therapeutic approaches, we facilitate healing and personal growth to struggling populations through art and poetry.

Spring
2014

HUG – Help Us Golf

Junior Golf Program
Awarded
$1,400

HUG- Junior Golf Camp focuses on teaching the game of golf to juniors within the autism spectrum. The HUG Junior Golf Program is hosted at the TOUR Academy at TPC Sawgrass. This program integrates the following into the golf camp; physical fitness, history/rules of the game, environmental stewardship/golf course maintenance and the fundamentals of the golf swing. One of the goals of the program is that it will be a model for other PGA Professionals to use at their facility/community.

Spring
2014

Inclusion Solution

Bowling and Fishing programs for families
Awarded
$1,350

Inclusion Solution provides structured programs for families with children with autism and related disorders. They provide trained and experienced adult volunteers to be on site to help with grouping children and starting conversations and wait turns. The fishing program helps the children and parent by providing the materials and assisting with questions.

Spring
2014

Jacksonville School for Autism

JSA Summer Camp
Awarded
$3,000

JSA Summer Camp offers campers an experience to integrate the arts into academics and "camping" experiences. Each day campers will experience movement activates, songs, team building activities, artistic expression activities, motor skills practice, etc. that are infused and integrated into science and cultural themed objectives.

Spring
2014

Little Star Center

ABA Intensive Summer Camp
Awarded
$1,732.60

Little Star is offering an 8-week Intensive ABA Summer Camp for up to 20 students that teaches academic, communication, social skills, self-help skills, and community skills. The summer program helps children maintain their acquired skills throughout the summer and also learn more significant social behavior in the community. Fields trips are offered with no additional costs to the summer families. The field trips include places such as: the grocery store, museums, fire and police stations, farmer's market, movie theater, O2B kids and bowling.

Spring
2014

Rising Stars Baseball (Ponte Vedra AA)

Rising Stars Baseball
Awarded
$1,200

Trying to serve more special needs kids ages 8-15 from the Jacksonville are by giving them access to sports/baseball. The league was established to allow children to have fun with baseball, build self-confidence, teamwork skills and lasting memories and friendships. Rising Stars Baseball is able to support a range of abilities; from mild coordination concerns to moderate gross motor planning challenges.

Spring
2014

Webster School

Sensory Integration
Awarded
$1,200

The Webster School has a beautiful gymnasium facility for use by the exceptional students they serve. Each ESE teacher has an assigned time in the gym. It is not part of the PE program but a separate program for their students. Two activities are planned and prepared every two weeks.

Spring
2014

World Arts Film Festival

Awarded
$1,500

World Arts Education is dedicated to providing innovative learning experiences in the arts and filmmaking for all ages and abilities. World Arts Education program offers integrated opportunities for competent development of social skills, vocational job skills in the arts and inspire creativity.

Spring
2014

Providence School of Jacksonville

Arrowsmith Program
Awarded
$500

The goal of the Arrowsmith Program is to help students strengthen the weak cognitive capacities underlying their learning dysfunctions. The Arrowsmith Program deals with the root causes of the learning disability rather than managing its symptoms. The program is capacity based, in that it changes the capacity of the individual to learn.

Spring
2014

Westview Elementary School

Autism Wing
Awarded
$350

The Autism Wing at Westview Elementary provides a safe, loving environment for children on the Autism Spectrum to explore and grow on their individual learning paths.

Spring
2014

Loretto Elementary School

Ms. Karen Thomas' Pre-K CSS Class
Awarded
$150

Ms. Thomas' class at Loretto Elementary aids pre-k children with varying levels of ASD in strengthening their communication and social skills.

Fall
2014

ACCEPT

Facilitated Communication Training Seminar
Awarded
$2,500

The Facilitated Community Training Seminar will train 12 families (one child and four trainees). The seminar will help non verbal or verbally limited individuals to communicate through typing with a goal of independence.

Fall
2014

Best Buddies

Best Buddies School Friendship and Ambassador Project
Awarded
$2,500

This project will directly engage at least 155 high school students with and without Autism and related disabilities as associate members, buddies (students with disabilities) and peer buddies. Students with Autism and related disabilities are paired in one to one mutual mentoring friendships with peers without disabilities. These friendships are maintained for at least one academic year to maintain meaningful friendships to develop. Best Buddies requires that new friends contact each other once per week and spend time together at least twice per month.

Fall
2014

Duval County School District

iHEAL- iPads Helping Enrich Autistic Lives
Awarded
$19,408.50

HEAL is striving to place an iPad in every ESE classroom. This will enrich the students' education and help give a voice to the non-verbal students.

Fall
2014

Haven Horse Ranch

Equine Therapy
Awarded
$2,000

Haven Horse Ranch is a Licensed SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center and Equine Teaching facility. The grant will be used to provide therapy to children on the Autism Spectrum that can't otherwise afford the therapy.

Fall
2014

Henderson Haven

Free 2 Be Me School and After-school Program
Awarded
$2,000

This grant will be used to help fund a playground project, including swings and a safety surface to go under the swings. They will also purchase 5 Kindle Fire devices to use with the students to enhance their learning experiences.

Fall
2014

Hope Haven

Autism Evaluation
Awarded
$2,500

Hope Haven provides diagnostic evaluations for the purpose of confirming whether or not a child meets the criteria for an autism diagnosis. The grant will be used to offset the costs of the evaluations for low-income families.

Fall
2014

Jacksonville School for Autism

JSA Enrichment Program
Awarded
$2,500

The grant will be used to help support the schools enrichment program, which includes piano/music, karate and yoga. Remarkably, many Autistic children have been found to have extraordinary musical and artistic talents.

Fall
2014

Jericho School

Teacher Training Program
Awarded
$1,000

The Jericho School is one of the longest serving schools in Florida that works exclusively with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. They will use the grant to provide ongoing training both out in the community and in the classroom for instructors who work on a daily basis with Autistic children.

Fall
2014

Little Star Center

New Sensory Room
Awarded
$2,500

There is much anecdotal support for the use of sensory equipment to produce positive effects on behavior. The grant will be used to purchase equipment for the Center's new Sensory Room.

Fall
2014

May Institute Inc.

Recreational Enhancement and Education Project
Awarded
$2,000

The May Institute serves primarily moderate to severe Autistic individuals with severe behavioral problems in residential living facilities. In order to increase levels of independence for the adults they provide skills training. The grant will be used for recreational and outdoor living equipment as well as educational and vocational training.

Fall
2014

Neptune Beach Elemmentary

Multi-Sensory Environment
Awarded
$2,500

The grant will be used to provide a Multi Sensory Environment for the special needs children. A Snoezelen projector will be purchased. This will be used to help the children relax and can benefit the children by allowing them to control and enjoyable variety of sensory experiences. They will also purchase a Bubble Tube and a Bubbling Water Panel, both will aid provide the children on the Autism Spectrum the opportunities for bridging the barriers these students deal with daily.

Fall
2014

Ponte Vedra/Rawlings Elementary School

Student First Programming; Sensory Integration
Awarded
$700

The funds will be used to supply the sensory room rotations with a wide variety of activities that support students' sensory needs. These activities include both fine and gross motor skills. Technology apps will be purchased to augment the iPads and apps already donated by HEAL and Project Autism.

Fall
2014

Ponte Vedra/Rawlings Elementary School

Apps for Autism
Awarded
$300

The grant will be used to purchase apps for existing iPads. The occupational therapists will purchase apps based on the needs of each Autism Spectrum Disorder child. These apps will enhance and support curriculum and social needs of the students.

Fall
2014

Ponte Vedra/Rawlings Elementary School

Pre-K ESE
Awarded
$977.70

Two iPads, cases and apps will be purchased and used in the Pre K class for the use of the teachers and students to support learning and behavioral modifications.

Fall
2014

Project Chance

Autism Service Dogs
Awarded
$65,500

Project Chance trains puppies to work with families who have a member with Autism. These funds will go to train service dogs. Autistic children can become nervous or anxious in public situations. Service dogs become another set of eyes and a calming factor for the autistic child.

Fall
2014

Reach Academy

Multi-Sensory Room
Awarded
$2,000

A multi-sensory room offers a safe, controlled environment that will encourage sensory simulation. This often results in students being more motivated to complete educational tasks. The room can also calm and sooth regulatory systems which results in reduced anxiety and disruptive behavior. Funds will be used purchase equipment for the Academy's new room.

Fall
2014

Special Nation at CRC

Accessible Playground for Special Nation
Awarded
$2,500

Special Nation Ministry would like to expand their services to children and adults with special needs. They are implementing a Buddy Break Program to assist families that are overlooked and underserved. The grant will be used to help fund accessible playground equipment.

Fall
2014

Special Olympics Florida - Duval

Athletic Leadership Programs
Awarded
$2,000

The grant will be used for to help with the recruitment of eligible athletes and training for both the athletes and Leaders. The Leaders are required to attend two seminars a year in Clermont, Florida. The funds will offset these cost as the athletes and Leaders are not charged for any training.

Fall
2014

The Cummer Museum

2015 VSA Festival
Awarded
$5,000

The VSA Festival provides unique museum-based, hands on opportunities for more than 2,200 children, teachers and families over a four day period. Public students from the surrounding five county Exceptional Education Student Services program rotate through eight art stops in the in the Museum's galleries and gardens to create art, view the Cummer's collection, listen to live musicians and storytellers, and learn about art appreciation. The grant will be used to help fund this event.

Fall
2014

Transition School

ASD/IS/LD Classrooms
Awarded
$933.86

Transition School is an alternative public school in St Johns County serving a variety of high-need exceptionalities. The grant will be used to purchase iPads and apps. These will enhance the learning experiences for the mainly non-verbal students.

Fall
2019

ACCEPTS Inc.

Awarded
$2,500

Scholarship and  Supervision Program - ACCEPTS, Inc  provides alternative communication training to youth and adults with autism  and related disabilities.  There are  two programs in which the grant will support: a Social Skills Typing Group  and The Scholarship and Supervision program.   The Social Skills Training Group will meet monthly, and allow  communicators the opportunity to type with one another.  In addition, it will provide an opportunity  for Facilitators and Coaches-in-training to work with new communicators in a  structured, supervised environment.    During the social skills group, facilitators will gain knowledge to  apply in facilitating current communicators.   The scholarship program runs on a 3 month cycle in which coaches are  supervised in training families how to use alternative communication methods,  such as facilitated communication.

Fall
2019

BridgeHaven Academy

Awarded
$2,500

Enrichment through Arts and Exercise - Weekly yoga sessions are  an excellent way to work on balance, skills, and proprioception while  strengthening muscles that may not be utilized on a regular basis.  The yoga instructor also works with our  teachers so these practices can be implemented on a daily basis to help our  students reach their maximum potential.

   Art Therapy is dedicated to making the healing power of art safe and  accessible to all. Our licensed therapist specializes in helping individuals  affected by autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, and trauma.  Our process-focused, holistic approach helps individuals of all ages and  abilities learn safe ways to express themselves, regulate emotions, work  through traumatic memories, and navigate sensory sensitivities.

Fall
2019

Connecting Thru Music, Inc.

Awarded
$1000

Music Therapy and Music Experience - Provide two music therapy sessions and one music experience session per week to over 180 students at Neptune Beach Elementary and Mandarin Oaks Elementary.

Fall
2019

Fleming Island Elementary

Awarded
$1,000

Sensory Room items

Fall
2019

Greenland Pines Elementary

Awarded
$1,250

Sensory Room items

Fall
2019

Indigo Art Therapy Studio

Awarded
$1,000

Indigo Vocational Art Center - Indigo Art  Therapy Studio is currently in the process of expanding our pilot vocational art program, Indigo Vocational, to be able to serve a larger number of  individuals with disabilities within our community by providing studio space,  art materials, and facilitation. Our goal is to be able to provide these  services at little or no cost to program participants.

Fall
2019

Jacksonville School for Autism

Awarded
$2,000

JSA Staff Technology Project - At JSA, we follow an integrative model that blends  both academic and social elements.  Our  teachers and therapists require new, updated laptops and software that will allow them to monitor the progress of our students through their individual  learning programs. Technology is at the core of all student and program  management at JSA. Staff currently utilize a proprietary software system  which allows teachers to track and measure skill and behavioral targets as  well as implement and evaluate programs.

Fall
2019

Kids Connect Today

Awarded
$1,000

Social Skills  Classes - Kids Connect  Today provides social skills classes to children, teens and young adults with autism. Grant funds would be used to provide scholarships to families who cannot  afford these classes.

Fall
2019

Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center

Awarded
$700

Art and Sensory Garden - Their art program provides students, of various exceptionalities, with many creative  experiences. Throughout the school year, students explore creative activities  such as, drawing, painting, sculptures with various materials, including  clay, weaving, photography and so much more. Every school year they like to present a new experience that most of the students may not have had before.  This school year, we would like the students to get involved and help build a beautiful  art and sensory garden that the whole school can enjoy.

Fall
2019

Peace of Heart Community, Inc

Awarded
$2,500

Inclusive Enrichment Outings - Peace of Heart Community is a prototype residential group home (POHH) and an organic small  farm (POHF) in the heart of Palm Valley, FL.   Peace of Heart Home opened its doors to persons with non-verbal autism in January, 2019.  They provide  24-7 care for up to six residents; they currently serve four.  They also maintain a daily spot for respite so they can greater serve the needs of individuals with autism in our  community.  They are a prototype that offers supported typing.  They are the only group home in Florida giving non-verbal persons with autism a place of  belonging where they have a voice!