The provincial autism society has received a quarter of a million dollars from the federal government to further expand its programs throughout the province.
The announcement was made yesterday by federal minister and St. John’s South-Mount Pearl MP Seamus O’Regan at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism in St. John’s.
Program Manager Sarah White says the funds will help hire three new full-time staff, ensuring provincial reach for a program that sets up high school students for careers after they graduate.
She says while the program now caters mostly to students in grades 11 and 12, they hope to soon include grade 9 students as well, to assist with the shift to higher learning.
White also acknowledged assistance from the province’s English school board through signing off on the volunteer hours needed for graduation.
Earlier Story
The federal government has come through with almost $240,000 to support the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The sum of $237,986 will allow the local autism society to hire three full-time staff to deliver the organization’s programs outside the St. John’s area, to its offices in Clarenville, Grand Falls Windsor and Corner Brook.
It’s a two-year project that will assist almost 100 people who live with autism spectrum disorder, setting them up for future employment opportunities.
Federal minister and MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl Seamus O’Regan delivered the news at the Elaine Dobbin Centre for Autism in St. John’s.
For O’Regan, the issue is personal as his cousin Michael lives with autism.
He says the funds will go a long way toward helping people on the spectrum reach their full potential, no matter where they live in the province.
