Project Description:
The University of South Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD-USF) provides nonresidential resources and training services for persons of all ages and of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or related disabilities. With this project, CARD-USF created a pilot project in Hillsborough Country, known as Project Leo, to provide personal safety devices to aid search-and-rescue efforts for person with ASD in the case of elopement. Criteria for participation in the pilot project will include, at minimum, a diagnosis of ASD and/or a related disability including individuals with dual sensory impairment or other disabling conditions with autistic-like features, resident of Hillsborough County, and the persons risk of elopement. The qualifying participants shall be selected on a first-come, first-served basis by the center to the extent of available funding within existing resources. The project will be voluntary and free of charge to participants. CARD-USF will purchase tracking device packages that include waterproof transmitter, tester, batteries, and straps; no monitoring fees or expiration costs; free shipping; one year warranty; and free customer service from SafetyNet. USF-CARD will submit a preliminary report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representative, and the Florida Department of Education describing the implementation and operation of the pilot project. The report will include the criteria used to select participants, the number of participants, the nature of the participants special needs, the number of participants who elope, the amount of time taken to rescue such participants following elopement, and the outcome of any rescue attempts. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, CARD-USF and the Hillsborough County School District will be active in getting the message to the community about the SafetyNet Tracking pilot program. All team members are trained with search and rescue equipment that allows them to search by ground or air. They receive ongoing training and stay current with their certification and respond to SafetyNet missing person calls throughout the year.
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Specific Groups
