Just in time for Autism Awareness Month (April), the Autism Services Grants Council is anticipating increased sales of its Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates, in response to recent state legislation reducing individual vehicle registration fees. Proceeds from the license plates support the organization’s grants to Florida-based nonprofit organizations providing services for individuals with autism and related disabilities. On March 20, 2014, the Florida Legislature approved the elimination of the vehicle registration fee increase put into place in 2009 – resulting in a reduction of individual vehicle registration fees by $20 to $25, depending on the size of the vehicle, starting in September 2014. This makes it more affordable for Florida residents to purchase and renew their specialty “Support Autism Programs” license plates, with an annual use fee of $25 per plate, plus registration fees. In 2009, the Florida Legislature authorized the “Support Autism Services” specialty license plate and provided for the creation of the Autism Services Grants Council to oversee a grants process to fund service programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities and their families throughout the state. Funds are generated by the sale of the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates. In 2013, the Autism Services Grants Council granted $50,500 to 11 nonprofit organizations ($2,500 to $5,000 per organization). Among all Florida specialty license plates, the “Support Autism Services” plate is ranked no. 67 out of 120 (many have been in circulation much longer than the “Support Autism Services” plate.) A total of 4,280 plates were sold from the plate’s inception in 2009 through December 2013. For more information or to check availability of a personalized “Support Autism Services” plate, visit www.autismlicenseplate.com. “Due to the success of the grants and increased revenue from the sale of the ‘Support Autism Programs’ specialty license plates, the Autism Services Grants Council was able to provide twice the amount of funds to awardees in 2013 than in 2012,” said Dennis Haas, chair of the Autism Services Grants Council. “With recent legislation reducing individual vehicle registration fees, we hope to increase our revenue, and in turn our grants, even more in the future.” 2012 was the first year that the Autism Services Grants Council administered grants. Three of the organizations that received grants in 2013 were Personal Ponies of Palm Beach County, Fla.; Deliver the Dream in Broward County, Fla. and The Social Cog Community Development Initiative in Miami-Dade County, Fla.: “We can’t thank the Autism Grants Council enough for helping Personal Ponies reach out to so many children in the community who live each day with the challenges of autism … Maddie Kate Kilgore … has been benefiting from her time with the Personal Ponies. Often fearful of new and different experiences, when with her pony friends NOTHING can get in her way! Communicating is a daily challenge for Maddie. Amazingly, she talks a mile a minute to her pony! …”-? of Personal Ponies “The Deliver the Dream autism retreat was an amazing experience. Our entire family … learned new skills and strategies for coping more effectively, communicating better and reconnecting with each other. … My daughter, who was hesitant in the beginning, gave me a big hug and stated she wished the retreat was longer. Mission accomplished! …”-The Eno/Tirado Family “The inspiration for The Social Cog began with 22-year-old Joshua Davis, who is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. It was designed to provide adults with autism spectrum disorders an opportunity to meet people with similar interests and minds by engaging them in a variety of social, group activities and provide ongoing social coaching for participants to initiate and maintain relationships. The grant … has aided The Social Cog in providing monthly social outings in the community at no cost to our members …” -? of The Social Cog Community Development Initiative Following are some autism facts:• About one out of every 68 children in the U.S. is currently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. This is a 30 percent increase from two years ago. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)• About 36,500 of every 4 million children born each year in the U.S. will have autism. (National Institutes of Health)• Florida is home to more than 200,000 individuals living with autism and related disabilities. (National Institutes of Health)• Boys are affected by autism 4.5 times more than girls. It is an average of one in 42 boys versus one in 189 girls. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)• Most people are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at age 4, but early intervention is key and can be diagnosed starting at age 2. (National Institutes of Health) About the Autism Services Grants Council In 2009, the Florida Legislature authorized the “Support Autism Services” specialty license plate and provided for the creation of the Autism Services Grants Council to oversee a grants process to fund service programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities and their families throughout the state. Funds are generated by the sale of the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates. For more information visit www.autismlicenseplate.com and “Like” us at facebook.com/AutismLicensePlate.
ARC Broward is responsible for marketing the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plate and administration of the Autism Services Grants Council.
