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About Our Organization
POAC Autism Services, a nonprofit organization, is the education leader for the autism community providing more free training and education than any other organization. Additionally, POAC provides recreational and support services to children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. POAC is making a difference today for every child with autism in our state. Because the costs of services are prohibitive for most families, POAC is deeply committed to providing all services at no cost to participants. Some of POAC’s accomplishments are as follows:
- POAC is the largest provider of FREE autism training and education in the state.
- POAC funded the first statewide program for the early detection and intervention of children with autism.
- POAC provides FREE family recreational activities all year long including: surfing, horseback riding, movies, indoor gym days, bowling and pizza parties, and our Annual FREE Family Picnic/Carnival, one of the biggest autism family events in the country.
- POAC provides FREE training for parents and families to help increase functional communication, decrease problem behavior and increase socialization of their children with autism
- POAC increases public awareness of the disorder and its effects on individuals, families, public schools, and society
- POAC provides FREE training for law enforcement and emergency responders in autism recognition and response
- POAC addresses, supports, and promotes legislative issues that affect those with autism and their families.
- POAC provides a FREE speakers bureau to groups throughout the state
- Provides FREE outreach and training in autism to middle school, high school, and college students in New Jersey
- POAC does not charge a penny for any of these services and receives no government funding
The needs of the autism population are growing. New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the entire country with 1 out of every 94 children born today having autism. This is more than AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined. POAC is dedicated to meeting those needs and is continually expanding to help these children, adults, and their families where they are right now. To date, thousands of parents, teachers, and other service providers have been trained. Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders in every New Jersey county have been trained in autism recognition and response and in at least one case, the training has been life-saving. POAC has reached out to colleges and universities and provided course work to students studying to be special education teachers. All of this is accomplished without government funding; it is all done through the generosity of those who contribute to POAC fundraising activities. Making a difference in the lives of children now is at the heart of everything we do at POAC. For the thousands of children with autism who benefit from our services and programs every year, POAC has become a bastion of support and a beacon of hope.
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