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Help support families caring for loved ones with autism.
FRAMINGHAM - Caring for a family member with any type of disability has been shown to have a significant impact on the caregiver’s health and workplace productivity.
Advocates, a leading provider of health and social services in Massachusetts, recently received a $100,000 grant to develop and deploy an autism and disability training program among MetroWest businesses and a “caregiver corps” of 50 respite workers for people juggling caregiving, work, family, financial, and other responsibilities.
The Becker Family Trust awarded the grant to fund this initiative, aimed at more than 600 local residents.
“Our plan is to positively disrupt the lack of understanding of the unique needs of people with autism and their caregivers by creating a welcoming, inclusive community focused on supporting the caregiver,” said Jeffrey Keilson, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning at Advocates, in a media release.
“We will expand on the great work of our Autism Alliance program and then, in collaboration with many partners throughout Metro West, grow the initiative to encompass all families/caregivers supporting people living with a variety of life challenges,” said Keilson.
- Hiring of a community liaison to spearhead the education and outreach effort on the need for support of family caregivers and their loved ones
- Increasing the number of resources and events available to improve the quality of life for caregivers and people with disabilities, and recruiting a corps of caregiver respite workers
- Educating MetroWest businesses about the value of a caregiver-friendly and sensitivity-informed community, developing training resources, and recognizing accommodating businesses for their efforts with a yet-to-be-named caregiver seal of approval
- Partnering with additional sponsors and donors to support the goal of providing comprehensive web-based information, community connections and support for caregivers in additional communities including Northborough, Westborough, and Marlborough
Advocates, based in Framingham, provides a broad range of services for people facing life challenges such as addiction, aging, autism, brain injury, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions.