About

Who is the Autism Services Grants Council?

The Autism Services Grants Council was created by the Florida Legislature in 2009 to implement and oversee a grants process for the distribution of funds generated from the sales of the Florida Support Autism Programs Specialty License Plate.

The primary purpose of the Council is to fund service programs for grants to nonprofit organizations to operate direct services programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida including direct services, evaluation, training, and awareness. Consideration for participation in such services and programs must be given to applicants who are children or adults with autism and related disabilities and their families and shall include those who are on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities waiting lists for services.

How does the Autism Services Grants Council distribute grants?

The Autism Grants Services Council awarded a total of $141,507 in grants to 19 Florida-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities in 2022. The 2023 grant cycle will open on July 1, 2023.

The funds available through the grant process will be dependent on the amount of revenue generated by sales of the Florida Support Autism Programs Specialty License Plate. The Autism Services Grants Council is administered by Arc Broward, Inc., an IRS-exempt Section 501(c)(3), Florida nonprofit organization.

During the 2021-2022 grant cycle, the Autism Services Grant Council awarded a total of $124,000 in grants to 19 Florida-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities.

The 2022-2023 application will open on July 1, 2022. All non-profit organizations with an Internal Revenue Service designation as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization and State of Florida Charitable Solicitation Registration number that are providing services to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida are eligible to apply. Grant applications are available for download at https://www.autismlicenseplate.com. The deadline to apply for the 2022-2023 grant cycle is July 31st.

Additional information about the Florida Autism Specialty license is available at autismlicenseplate.com. Supporters can also donate to autism services through the use of the “check boxes” when renewing their driver’s license and automotive vehicle registration.

For more information, visit autismlicenseplate.com. To request an interview with a representative from the Autism Services Grant Council or a grant recipient, please contact info@autismlicenseplate.com

Why is it important to advocate for funding and increase awareness about Autism?

Families rely on a broad array of autism-related services depending on many factors. These services are often beyond the financial capability of many. Funding from government sources, private foundations, and other places is crucial to meet the ever-growing need.

Families often need a broad range of services to assist them in surviving the day-to-day challenges that accompany autism. The average cost of autism each year per family is $60,000 in services and care. Some of the services people need include:

  • early intervention
  • speech/language therapy
  • specialized respite services
  • specialized after-school and summer programs
  • residential services
  • applied behavior analysis (ABA)

Understanding Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that impacts communication, behavior and social relationships. Autism along with Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

How Common is Autism?

  • Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. with roughly 5.4 million people having it in the US alone, according to CDC data

  • The prevalence of autism in the United States is estimated at 1 in 44 births

  • About one in 100 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to estimates from the World Health Organization

  • Over the next five years, 500,000 children on the autism spectrum in the United States will transition to adulthood.

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