Flutie Foundation Awards Grant to Elms College
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Elms College has been awarded a $14,160 grant by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation. The award will fund scholarships to graduate students enrolled in the college's master's of science and certificate of advanced graduate study in autism spectrum disorders programs. The recipients will be named Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation Scholars.
A team of admininstrators and staff from Elms College will participate in the Flutie Bowl 2010, an annual fundraiser for the Flutie Foundation, tonight, January 11, in Boston. It will mark the third consecutive year that Elms has sponsored a team.
In response to the increased incidence of autism spectrum disorders and the need for trained professionals, Elms launched a master of science degree and a certificate of advanced graduate study in autism spectrum disorders program in the fall of 2008. The programs are designed for persons who work directly or who plan to work directly with individuals with autism, but who have insufficient educational background to do so effectively.
Because practical experiences are so vital, these programs were developed in partnership with The River Street Autism Program at Coltsville in Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to coursework, there is an option for students to enroll in a clinical practicum that takes place at The River Street Autism Program during summer months. The awarding of scholarships will provide eligible students with the financial resources needed to enroll in this practicum.
The scholarships will be awarded to 10 to 15 graduate students. Eventually, the work of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation Scholars in areas such as exemplary practices, behavioral interventions, and improved communication with families, will result in positive ramifications for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism was established by former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, in honor of their son, Doug, Jr. who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Realizing that thousands of families of children with autism struggle every day to pay for similar services, the Flutie Foundation's primary objective is to provide families with a place to turn when they are in need of support and autism resources.
Since 1998, the Fluties have helped raise more than $10 million for autism through corporate and individual donations, fundraisers, endorsement promotions featuring Doug and Doug Jr. as well as sales of Flutie Flakes and related items. The Foundation awards grants on an annual basis to nonprofit organizations that provide services for children with autism and to organizations that conduct research on the causes and effects of autism.