Project Description:
The mission of the Autism Coalition of Tacoma (ACT) is to enrich the lives of all individuals and their families in the South Puget Sound impacted by autism and related developmental disabilities. ACT was formed in 2017 as a result of the Simon Family Endowment. The goal of the Simon Family Endowment is to help build, connect and enhance programs and services supporting adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual disabilities. ACT is a collaboration of the major institutions in the South Sound currently supporting individuals and families impacted by autism. Members of the ACT Professional Advisory Committee were appointed based on their expertise in the field of autism and their knowledge of the South Sound.
The committee, co directed by Dr. Stobbe, Director of the CHDD Adults and Elders Program and Dr. Annette Estes, Director of the UW Autism Center, has met regularly since 2017 to identify and recommend immediate and long term goals which localizes, strengthens, and unifies autism services and resources for individuals, families, and the South Sound community as a whole. In 2019, the ACT supported the successful launch of the Simon Family Endowment student scholarship fund supporting undergraduates with developmental disabilities matriculating at the UW Tacoma campus. The Simon Family Endowment also successfully launched its fellowship program in the School of Social Work for master students interested in learning how to better support individuals and families impacted by ASD and intellectual disabilities. In 2020, ACT worked with local organizations to better understand and address the impacts of COVID 19 on the South Sound. Members of the ACT Professional Advisory Committee including Ivanova Smith (UW LEND Self Advocate faculty), Dr. Alan Gill, and Dr. Stobbe attended the monthly SAIL Coalition meeting to answer questions and address fears about COVID 19 and COVID vaccines. This likely remains a focus of ACT in 2021 along with review of the 2021 Washington State Legislative Agenda in continued efforts to address healthcare, education, and community inequities experienced in our South Sound community.
