CARD GETS DARS GRANT TO HELP FAMILIES IN TEXAS

Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-District 8, is proud to join with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to announce the selection of two new grant recipients to provide high quality services, including Applied Behavioral Analysis, for children with autism between the ages of 3 and 8 in San Antonio and Austin.

"I am pleased that more children will benefit from the early and intensive autism services that these providers offer," Senator Shapiro said. "This program will help us identify the service delivery models that best serve children with autism and will enable us to strengthen the state's efforts to serve this growing population."

The program began in 2007 when DARS awarded $5 million in state general revenue, through a competitive procurement process, to four service providers. Senator Shapiro fought for additional funding in the 81st Regular Session that enabled DARS to expand the program.

Any Baby Can of San Antonio will provide services in Bexar County and the surrounding contiguous counties.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, located in Austin, will provide services to the greater Austin area. The four existing providers, located in the North Texas and Harris County areas, will extend their services for two more years.

"The number of children with autism continues to grow, so it's vital that we provide avenues for access to proper educational and behavioral interventions that can help them achieve success throughout their life," Shapiro said. "Through Applied Behavioral Analysis and other behavioral therapies, this program helps address some of the most prevalent challenges of children with autism."

Click here for more information about the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), based in Austin, Texas.