Arizona Autism United
(602) 773-5773 [office]
|
|
Upcoming Events
Family Event at the Park
May 20th - 22nd
Disability Empowerment Center (Phoenix)
ISP Preparation Workshops
March 18th
April 14th
AZA United (Phoenix)
Special Needs Trust Planning Workshop
May 20th - 22nd
Disability Empowerment Center (Phoenix)
Spring Conference & Annual Meeting for AZA Parents
May 20th - 22nd
Disability Empowerment Center (Phoenix)
Contact us for more information on any of these events!
|
|
Link of the Month
Check out reviews of the best iPad apps for children with autism and parents! CLICK HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcing the New Helping Hands Program
 Since we opened our doors 5 years ago, it has been a goal to find a better way to offer comprehensive habilitation programs. This is a challenge given that funding is generally only available for direct habilitation services, and not training or ongoing program consultation. We have been planning a new program that offers families a more complete package at an affordable cost for some time, and are very happy to announce that it is now ready! Please see the announcement flyer on our website about our newest program, Helping Hands. Families who participate in Helping Hands will work with a personal Program Coach each month to develop and update the child's habilitation program in whatever way the family thinks will be most beneficial. One of the habilitators will also become a Team Lead and receive additional training to help coordinate the program day-to-day. Please feel free to pass on this announcement to any family that you think would be interested! We are excited to offer a whole new way to help your kids & families. Contact us if you have any questions. There is information on the flyer that explains how to apply. |
|
Spring Conference for Parents & Professionals
 Save the date for the weekend of May 21st, when AZA United will host our First Annual Spring Conference for Parents & Professionals! This multi-track conference will feature a variety of timely topics including specialized ABA strategies, IEP & ISP workshops, estate planning & guardianship, parent panels, presentations by individuals with autism, accessing behavioral health services, teaching life skills, networking for playdates, and much more! The conference will take place at the Arizona Disability Empowerment Center, home to our main office and the Nina Mason Pulliam Conference Center. Look for an official announcement with detailed agenda very soon, including an opportunity for early registration discounts!
During the conference we will also host our Annual Meeting for AZA families. At the Annual Meeting, all families are invited to attend and contribute their ideas and opinions. The Annual Meeting is also the time of year when new board members are elected by our families, and other important issues are discussed on which each family can vote. The Executive Director and Board Chair provide an overview of past years and the strategic plan for the years ahead, so that AZA families can be well informed about the state of the organization and new opportunities for program development.
|
|
"Here's How I Do It - Join Me in Giving Back!"
 A message to AZA Parents from Lori Rodriguez, AZA Parent and Board Member
April is Autism Awareness month. To celebrate, I am reaching out to our families, friends and supporters to help raise funds for Arizona Autism United. But I need your help. This is a great organization who has helped my family tremendously and am sure has helped many other families as well. I would like to challenge each one of you to raise $1000 or any other amount that you can, to help support this wonderful organization. I have placed a request out on my Facebook page and emailed all of my family and friends asking for their support. It is easier than you think. Most people are eager to make a donation for tax purposes, so why not begin earlier in the year rather than later? If you need some help with how to prepare this request, here is all I did and I got over $100 on my first day: April is National Autism Awareness month; which is just around the corner. I would like to reach out to all my friends and ask if you would be able to make a donation to a wonderful organization called Arizona Autism United. They have been a tremendous help to our family, and we are very fortunate to have them in our lives. I know things are tight, but even a small donation will help. The email address is azaunited.org then select the make a donation link. I only ask for donations one time a year. Please help me reach my goal of $1,000.00. Give it a try, you can do it too! Let's all support AZA together and help the good work get better. If you need any help or want to contact me, just email me at Lori@AZAunited.org. Thanks!!
|
|
AZA Welcomes Kevin Nelson to the Executive Board
 We are pleased to announce that Kevin P. Nelson, an attorney at Tiffany & Bosco P.A has been named to our Executive Board. Aaron Blocher-Rubin, Executive Director stated, "We are most pleased that Kevin has agreed to serve on our board. He brings a wealth of knowledge as an attorney, as well as a passion for helping children and families who are in need of our services." Kevin's practice focuses on construction, mortgage, Indian law, real estate transactions and litigation. The clients Kevin represents cover a broad spectrum and include institutional and private lenders, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, and owners. The AZA United Executive Board consists of professionals who act as advisors to the governing Parent Board. If you are interested in learning more about the Executive Board or making a nomination, please contact Nicole Geremina Newhouse, Operations & Fund Development Manager, at Nicole@AZAunited.org. |
|
|
Join AZA Parents to Shape the Future
 AZA United would like to extend an opportunity to you to make an impact in your community that helps children and families affected by autism. As our organization grows and our programs expand, the AZA United Board of Directors is seeking new candidates. We are looking for 5 AZA parents who are passionate about what we do and would like to contribute ideas, skills and time to make a difference for all AZA families, now and in the future. Over the next several years, the board will play a lead role in making decisions such as:
- Where will the next AZA office/clinic be located, and what resources and services will it include for families?
- What types of programs should AZA develop as fundraising increases?
- What other types of therapists or professionals should join AZA's team?
- How can AZA more effectively reach underserved families?
- What part of the state will AZA expand to next?
We would like to invite all AZA parents interested in learning more to attend the next board meeting on ............. If you would like to attend or know of another parent that might be interested, please contact Aaron Blocher-Rubin, Executive Director, at 602-773-5774.
|
|
Thanks for all you do, and don't forget to tell us what else we can do...for you! |
|
|
