Since the March 3rd tornado, AutismTN has been busy, and here's a snapshot of what we've been up to.
- We hosted a great line-up of workshops giving 362 caregivers the tools they need to maximize independence for their loved one on the spectrum. Continuing this programming in a vitual capacity required an additional investment in technology but we are now able to reach the entire community of Middle Tennessee rather than just those who have the capacity to come to us!
- We maintained the HELPline in full capacity, to immediately assist with parents suddenly out of work or attempting to work from home while supporting a virtual student with autism in need of full-time supervision. HELPline has assisted 813 families during this time. Maintaining the HELPline influx of calls required additional part-time staff members. The number of teen & adult calls coming in required a dedicated role on the HELPline. We are now able to handle the call volume that the pandemic has prompted.
- We used our social media to unify the autism community's voice and have autism related therapies included in teleheath so that families could continue to make progress. Mobilizing a grassroots initiative to secure telehealth services using only social media was a learning experience, but now we feel confident that AutismTN can spread the word and make real change when we mobilize our collective voice.
- We reinstated all programs virtually and they have continued uninterrupted. We have even launched new programs for Teens & Adults! We are excited for the future of AutismTN as we continue to grow and meet the needs of our community.
- We cut expenses everywhere we could and focused on how to deliver the highest quality programs for the least cost. As many of our families were floundering, so was the stability of AutismTN. We were forced to cancel our biggest fundraiser of the year and staff were furloughed or took pay cuts to allow the work of AutismTN to continue.
We have made it through a challenging year but Autism Tennessee still needs your support. We have launched a new monthly donor initiative and invite you to become a sustaining supporter of Autism Tennessee. Sustaining, monthly donations ensure that crucial services, like the HELPline, continue serving nearly 50,000 families across the mid-state. While many of our families are experiencing great uncertanity, your monthly support ensures we will always be there.
