Spectrum  Sailing's 2025 Jacksonville camp took place during Duval County school spring  break, a time when children on the spectrum do not have school activities,  and also suffer from a lack of inclusive extracurricular activities and  programs to engage in.     Spectrum Sailing ran a 3-day professional sailing camp, free of cost to all  families, that was hosted by the Florida Yacht Club. Sailors were taught  knot-tying, weather and water safety fundamentals, parts of the boat, and how  to harness the wind to move the boat through the water. Each day of camp  consisted of several hours of active on-the-water sailing as each team of 3-4  kids worked together to sail their boats on the St. Johns River.     Inclusion is at the core of our mission, and we know that removing the  financial barrier to sailing is key to increasing access for this underserved  population. That is why we never charge the families whose kids attend our  camp. But our camps are not free to run, and we are seeking local community  support to help defray the costs of conducting camp, so we can keep this  program free for all kids.

Our program  focuses on increasing daily life skills while exposing our residents to new  experiences they may not get to experience when they are able to go back  home. Our specific funding needs are to pay for various activities during the  summer. Our youth are not able to participate in camps like so many other  kids can so we look to provide our own summer camp.

We are  reaching out to you for your support of Camp Possible this summer.    We are getting more requests than ever for younger campers and we want to  help as many families as we can this summer to make Camp Possible a great  experience for both the kids and their parents.      Camp Possible serves special needs youth ages (4-21) through multi-sensory  and therapeutic activities to bolster friendships, increase self-esteem,  social interaction skills, and emotional regulation through super fun  recreational activities in a secure and exciting environment.

Our adult  program, Metamorphoses, would like to expand on the gardening projects they  started last year and to create an outdoor area so all participants can  interact with one another.  Funds are  needed to hang sensory swing, provide seating area (former swing was no  longer safe) and to provide garden supplies.

Jacksonville  School for Autism (JSA) Summer Camp is a vital extension of our mission to  provide year-round, individualized education and skill-building for children,  teens, and young adults with autism. Designed to prevent regression over the  summer months, our camp offers structured learning, social engagement, and  recreational activities tailored to meet the unique needs of each  participant.    Campers engage in hands-on experiences such as cooking, gardening, art, and  community outings that promote independence and confidence in real-world  settings. We also focus on essential academic reinforcement, communication  skills, and motor development to ensure continued progress.    Funding Needs:    To ensure that all families can access this critical program, we seek  funding for:    Program Materials & Activities – Sensory equipment, adaptive learning  tools, and recreational supplies.    Community Outings – Field trips that promote socialization and real-world  learning experiences.

As  part of the day program, BIG North Florida community members will participate  in part-time employment job training, which is aimed at providing a variety  of creative and meaningful work opportunities for our members.  Work opportunities will include making  creative gift baskets incorporating many artisan items like infused olive  oils, soaps, fragrances, and uniquely designed jewelry.  These items will be sold both online and in  our local community.     Heal Grant funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment and  supplies to enhance our small business ventures.

A  RESPITE AND RESOURCE CENTER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR  FAMILIES    Spring of 2025 inaugural daytime activities, including but not limited to  fishing, gardening, petting zoo, deer watching, and educational classes will  be available as well. Also, Hopeland as just a place for families to  decompress and find support.    Later in the next phase cabins for overnight respite, and a gathering hall  for Worship services and conferences will be added.    FOREVER FRIENDS LAUNCH SPRING 2025    Forever Friends is similar to the Best Buddies program found in public  schools. Friends will join us from the youth, teen and young adult groups  around the region.     Forever Friends is a life changing experience for typical kids, teens and  young adults, and those with autism, who often have never had a single  friend.

This Summer we  will have 3 Individuals training and getting paid at both stores. The funding  will help us pay them. I provide my services for free so the funding can help  these individuals get their pay checks.

Our summer camp  programs will consist of the use of string instruments (guitars, ukuleles,  autoharps), pitched percussion (xylophones, bells, chimes) and non-pitched  percussion (drums rhythm sticks, guiros) musical instruments to maintain  continuity throughout June & July. Our focus will be on weekly Music  Therapy group sessions that we have been doing at 2 different locations; 1 of  which is located in St. Johns and the other one is in Clay County. Our  specific goals include: inclusion, independence, social skills, fine and  gross motor skills, emotional expression, & behavioral regulation.  Singing protocols will also be developed and used as a bridge to vocal  production & language development.   At the conclusion of summer camp, each participate will have gained  the skills necessary to accompany themselves on an instrument and be able to  perform, at their highest possible level of ability/functioning, for their  family and friends at a recital within their school/clinic/group home. It is  our intention and plan to also have some students perform for older adults  who live in adult congregate living facilities to bridge the generational  gap.  Our specific funding needs are as  for 2 staff members to plan and facilitate 6 weekly group sessions at 2  different locations at $100.00 per staff member per session = $2,400.

Our sweet mare,  Lizzie, was injured last year, which resulted in a torn suspensory ligament  and fractured cannon bone. She made a shocking near-complete recovery and has  started doing 2 sessions per day, but still struggles with forward learning,  which alters her gait and comfort, making her unable to fully heal. The  veterinarian has recommended that the solution to that be utilizing horse  shoes. This is is big expense for HorsePlay, and shoes will be required for  the rest of her working career with us. Horse shoes will enable her to fully  integrate back into the working herd, doing 6-8 sessions per day like she  used to. Lizzie provides significant vestibular and proprioceptive input in  sessions, which is critical to help our children with ASD meet their sensory  needs to succeed in their sessions.

Kids Connect  Today offers social skills classes for children, teens & young adults  with autism. Grant funds would be used to offer scholarships to families who  cannot afford our classes.

Budget  Overview: The funds from this grant will help cover program materials, staff  salaries, scholarships for underprivileged children, and necessary facility  upgrades to ensure a safe and enriching environment for all campers.    Sample week: 1. Week 1: Connections & Confidence    o Dates: May 27-30    o Description: This week is all about breaking the ice and building  confidence in social settings. Through structured games, teamwork activities,  and creative challenges, campers will practice starting conversations, active  listening, and sharing their interests in an authentic way.    o Highlights:    Name games and confidence-building activities    A social scavenger hunt at the beach    Budget Overview: The funds from this grant will help cover program  materials, staff salaries, scholarships for underprivileged children, and  necessary facility upgrades to ensure a safe and enriching environment for  all campers.Workshops on nonverbal communication and reading social  cues    o Takeaway: Campers will leave feeling more confident in socializing,  making friends, and navigating group dynamics.

CampAbility  is a recreational and educational summer program for school-aged children  with Autism and other intellectual/developmental/physical disabilities being  provided in a fun and safe environment. We host 2 camps simultaneously - a  kids camp (elementary ages) and a youth camp (6th - 12th grades). We also  offer summer camp sessions to the elementary-aged siblings. This is in order  to help alleviate the burden on parents by keeping their children in one  location, as well as provide familiarity to the camper with special needs by  having his/her sibling nearby and give the sibling(s) companionship with  other siblings who understand what it’s like to walk in their shoes.    Our camps are offered for 6 weeks throughout the summer, Monday - Friday,  from 9AM - 2PM (25 hrs/week). Campers are welcome to participate all summer  or select particular weeks to meet their needs. The camps provide the routine  and structure those on the Spectrum need throughout the summer, as well as  continue to work on social skills, life skills, and academic skills in a  creative and fundamental way.

Smile  Camp is a week-long day camp run by Girl Scouts, for children ages 5 to 11  with autism and other developmental and intellectual disabilities including  cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and visual and hearing impairments. Smile Camp  offers campers with disabilities, who might not have the opportunity  otherwise, to experience a week of new friends, outdoor adventure, and a  sense of belonging in an inclusive environment.     Smile Camp 2025 is being held at North Florida School for Special Education,  a site designed to be an accessible and safe space for Smile Campers. Smile  Campers will have access to the barn and animals at the school for a farm  themed day, as well as the playground, gym equipment, and outdoor spaces.      Each day at Smile Camp has a new theme with corresponding activity  rotations, including games, crafts, music, and outdoor activities. Smile Camp  gives children living with autism and other disabilities a break from their  day-to-day routine and brings them outside for an entire week of new  experiences. The camp also provides much needed respite care for the camper’s  parents and care takers.     The camp is run by as many as 40 Girl Scouts who are trained counselors  ages 14 to 18. Supporting them is a team of up to ten Girl Scout directors  ages 16 to 18 and Girl Scout adult volunteers including two adult advisers, a  registered nurse and a chef. Depending on the intensity of care needed,  counselors are paired 1:1 or 1:2 per camper.

Summer Jam is a  summer camp.  We will provide weekly  music therapy, field trips, weekly themes that includes related crafts and  activities, academic groups for reading and math, etc. Last year, we had a  tutor who worked with a couple our campers, I would like to bring that  service back to help bridge the gap between summer and the school year.  We have extended our previous times to  Monday - Thursday, 9a - 3p.

We are located on  the west side of Jacksonville but serve people of all over the multi-county  region.  You will find happy baseball  players every Friday night and Saturday morning during our spring and fall  seasons.

Our  organization offers an 8-week Summer Transition Camp created specifically for  teenagers and young adults with disabilities. This safe, inclusive, and  engaging program helps participants build essential life skills and form  meaningful peer connections.    The camp focuses on five key areas:    Social Skills: Campers practice communication and teamwork through  structured group activities.    Daily Living Skills: Activities like meal planning, grocery shopping, and  cooking promote independence.    Pre-vocational and Vocational Skills: Work readiness lessons and hands-on  tasks prepare campers for future employment.    Health and Wellness: Daily movement and wellness activities encourage  healthy habits.    Community Integration: Weekly outings give campers opportunities to apply  what they’ve learned in real-world settings.    What makes our program unique is its focus on teens and young adults—an age  group often overlooked in summer programs, especially for those with Autism.  Most services end by age 10, creating a gap in support during critical  transition years. Our certified staff are trained and experienced in  supporting this population, and our program fills that gap with targeted,  age-appropriate instruction and experiences.    Funding Needs    Support from the HEAL Grant will help reduce costs for families, provide  stipends for community outings, supply food and materials for life skills  activities, and offer at least one scholarship for a camper in financial  need. Your support allows us to continue offering this important and  empowering summer experience.

Camp I  Am Special is a highly structured, intentionally inclusive summer program  designed to meet the complex needs of children and adults with intellectual  and developmental differences. The camp operates with a 1:1 Buddy-to-Camper  model, which ensures each participant receives individualized attention and  support throughout their time at camp. All volunteers complete comprehensive  training in adaptive care, CPR, and inclusion best practices. Sessions are  staffed by a multidisciplinary team—including registered nurses and behavior  professionals—who coordinate daily care plans and manage camper health,  safety, and participation.    The program emphasizes consistency, safety, and sensory-friendly  experiences, with each session carefully choreographed to reduce anxiety and  support camper autonomy. From structured mealtimes to adaptive recreation and  personal care routines, every element of the camp is designed to create a  joyful, empowering experience for individuals who are often excluded from  typical summer programming.    This request to the HEAL Foundation addresses a growing need for support  with food and supply costs. As inflation drives up the price of meals,  hygiene products, and specialized materials, the program’s ability to  maintain its high standard of care—without increasing costs to families—is at  risk. Many campers rely on scholarships to attend, and nearly three-quarters  come from low-income households.    HEAL’s funding will ensure that every camper receives nutritious meals,  personal care items, and sensory accommodations necessary for full  participation, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. This  investment helps protect the integrity and accessibility of a program built  on compassion, dignity, and inclusion.

Growing  Together’s Summer 2025 Camp will follow four carefully chosen themes designed  to build skills, spark curiosity, and create joyful experiences in a safe,  familiar setting.    Camping Weeks will invite students to explore the outdoors with scavenger  hunts, nature crafts, wood safety lessons, and basic first aid. Campers may  earn small badges for participation, and a mobile petting zoo will provide a  memorable hands-on animal encounter.    World Culture Weeks will highlight a different culture each day—such as  African, Japanese, Native American, Spanish, and French—through greetings,  games, crafts, and food tastings. Craft kits and cultural supplies will give  students meaningful, sensory-rich ways to experience global traditions.    Olympic Games Weeks will combine movement and learning. Campers will  explore the history of the Olympics and take part in adapted sports events.  The week will end with an awards ceremony and medals. To enhance the fun,  we’ll bring in carnival-style games that encourage active play and  teamwork.    Weird Science Weeks will feature colorful, interactive experiments like  chemical reactions and color-changing crafts. Students will have the  opportunity to wear lab coats and goggles, collect simple data, and share  findings with peers, promoting communication and discovery.    All activities are held on-site to support structure and safety. This camp  experience fosters creativity, sensory exploration, social interaction, and  belonging—aligned with our neurodiversity-affirming values.

Theme  Weeks    Red, White, and Blue Week    Tie Dye Week    Super Hero Week    Welcome to Summer Week    Olympics Week    Disney Week    Science Week    Culture Week    Animal Week

Our specific  funding needs are for shirts & hats for the junior golf  participants as well as funding for food  & beverage purposes. Due to the heat each day, the participants are given  plenty of water & snack breaks so they can recharge and hydrated for the  day. This requires plenty of snacks & drinks throughout the day. At the  conclusion of the program each day, the participants have lunch provided to  them at no cost to them.

Summer  Fun at the Ranch will include Summer Adaptive Riding Season, Open House,  Movie Outings and Caregiver Respite Events.    Summer Riding at the Ranch: Participants will have equine assisted sessions  which include grooming and riding with support of a team of volunteers.      Open House: Open to the entire community (including participants, their  families, potential riders, donors and other local autism community groups).  All are invited for a fun relaxing evening at the Ranch. Activities include  dinner, horse grooming, golf cart rides, fun and games.     Movie Outings: Partnering with Special Nation, we host a monthly private  movie showing for 50 participants and their families. Our guests are  comfortable to enjoy the movie however they want (walk around, make noises,  even dance). It's a great opportunity for our participants to experience  movies - often for the first time. This remains one of our most popular  programs so we remain committed to continuing this opportunity.     Caregiver Respite Events: Hosting a mom/caregiver retreat weekend which  enables them to get away to rest, refresh and rejuvenate. Additionally, we  host monthly gatherings for mothers with children/family members impacted by  autism or related disabilities. This affords moms the opportunity to gather  with fellow moms facing similar parenting challenges and being with others  who “get it.”    As we do not charge our riding participants, the HEAL grant will help fund  our summer season and to pay for our movie outings along with supporting Open  Houses and Caregiver Respite Events.

Special  Nation’s mission is to provide inclusive social, recreational, learning and  therapeutic activities throughout the summer for individuals of all ages with  autism and their families. Our goal is to create opportunities for  connection, growth, and fun at no cost to participants, ensuring that all  families feel welcomed, supported, and part of a loving community.    Program Activities:    Wednesday Night Friends Group: Weekly gatherings at Redeemer Church and  various community locations. Families come together for fellowship, adapted  church curriculum, and community building. Each month includes a Birthday and  Karaoke Night celebration.    Sunday Morning Respite: We offer respite care in a sensory-friendly environment  with adapted lessons during on-site church services, allowing parents and  caregivers to attend worship.    At the Movies Events: In partnership with Bit of Faith Ranch, we host  monthly sensory-friendly private movie showings for up to 50 attendees.    Moms/Caregivers Meetups: Monthly gatherings organized with Bit of Faith  Ranch to offer fellowship, support, and encouragement to mothers and  caregivers.    Second Sunday Special Praise: A fully accessible family worship service  held monthly, featuring music, a sermon, and communion where all individuals,  regardless of ability, experience belonging and acceptance.    Music Therapy: Monthly sessions on the second Wednesday at 6:30 PM for  individuals impacted by autism and related disabilities.    Additional Special Summer Events:    VBS Night: June 11th — a Vacation Bible School-themed evening of fun and  faith.    End-of-Summer Party: A community celebration featuring a foam cannon party  in partnership with Bit of Faith Ranch.

Camp  TLC at The Therapeutic Learning Center provides a holistic, individualized  educational and therapeutic experience for preschool-aged children impacted  by Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities. Without  summer programming, students experience significant regression, losing access  to critical supports that maintain developmental progress.    Camp TLC fills a vital gap, as no comparable summer programs exist locally  for this age and support level. Our therapeutic summer program offers low  student-to-staff ratios, free two-day Extended School Year (ESY) sessions for  currently enrolled students, and weekly placements open to community campers,  Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. In addition to summer programming,  TLC hosts monthly open Family Playgroups, maintains the only free Early Steps  evaluation site in St. Johns County, and is working toward becoming a  satellite clinic location for CARD, further expanding access to developmental  services.    Funding is needed to safely expand our summer roster by purchasing  additional seating, specialized supplies, and adaptive equipment to meet  campers’ individualized needs. More than half of the families we serve  qualify for public assistance and would otherwise be unable to afford summer  programming. Our camp operates at a fraction of the cost of comparable  programs found in neighboring counties, ensuring accessibility for Northeast  Florida families.    By supporting Camp TLC, HEAL would directly enrich the lives of children  with autism and related disabilities, empower families, and uphold the  critical services that allow our community’s youngest learners to thrive.  Together, we can inspire, educate, and build a stronger, more inclusive community.

Currently, we  offer aquatic physical therapy, as well as adaptive swim lessons. I hope to  grow my team this year by employing another swim instructor and an  occupational therapist. In order to grow our adaptive swim program to suit  the large variety and needs of the children, I need specialized equipment to  make sure they are all safe in the water. I perform adaptive life jacket  fittings so families can ensure that the device is right for their child  before purchasing. I also use the life jackets to teach the children how to  put them on and take them off, and jump in and float. I would like to use the  Kyrios suits in my children with Autism who have severe sensory issues and  are resistant to handling or stimuli as these suits provide a full body  compression and can be used in the water to calm. Lastly, I treat a large  diverse group of children. I have families who speak English, Spanish,  Portuguese, Russian, and Kazakh. Many times, the iPad I am using is not fast  enough to translate instructions and malfunctions by the pool deck as I am  giving the child instructions. I would like funds to cover the cost of an  in-person translator when necessary in order to ensure the family and child  understands all water safety instructions.

Uncharted  Academy is launching a 2-week summer Music Exploration Camp specifically  designed to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other  Intellectual and Developmental Differences (IDDs). The camp will provide a  welcoming, sensory-friendly environment where students can explore a variety  of musical instruments through structured small-group sessions and optional  quiet individual exploration. Sessions will be led by a licensed music  therapist and credentialed music instructors who specialize in neurodivergent  support.    The focus will be on fostering a love of music, building self-expression,  and helping students develop comfort with different sounds and textures at  their own pace. Rather than a traditional performance-based model, our camp  emphasizes exploration, creativity, and emotional growth.    Specific funding needs include the purchase of musical instruments,  adaptive equipment, and sensory-friendly materials to create a calming and  supportive musical environment. Funding this project will not only make the  camp possible this summer but will also allow us to continue offering music  exploration sessions year-round, expanding the number of students we can  serve over time. By investing in equipment that stays with the program, this  grant will create lasting opportunities for hundreds of neurodivergent  students in our community to experience the joy and benefits of music.

Our  mission is to furnish students with genuine, rigorous, and all-encompassing  employment training, along with non-compensatory internships in authentic  real-world settings. Concurrently, we facilitate micro-business experiences  aimed at cultivating diverse employability skills.    As a cohesive team, we meticulously consider individual interests and  strengths, tailoring our approach to provide highly personalized coaching and  training. In the course of our program, we place substantial emphasis on  developing essential soft skils, universally sought after by employers.  Throughout their internship, participants    will acquire profound insights into professional conduct across a spectrum  of roles, including landscaping, custodial, clerical, assistant and food  service positions. Items  we would like to purchase will be used to create and sell items at our work  site. They will be able to help our interns build skills in the areas of  attention to detail, problem-solving, creativity/innovation,  entrepreneurship, and more! Items needed will be used to teach not only job  related skills but also independent living skills as well, such as  safety/hygiene, time management, and following directions.    We also work on money management skills through our program with the use of  a general store. The interns earn "funds" during the work week and  get to spend their earnings at the store.     *All of these skills are transferable and can enhance our interns abilities  in various professional settings.*

Our  classroom is designed to help junior and senior students with different  abilities to have the opportunity and training to develop working skills and  community living skills that they will be able to use when they graduate. Some  of our students will be able to work on daily living skills, because of this  we are needing classroom assistance. We are looking to purchase items that  are going to aide with growth for daily living skills. This will include food  items to help build cooking skills, folding assistance to help the students  to learn folding skills so they are able to help with folding laundry at  home. We spend time off campus in stores that require you to have the ability  to organize things the correct way like Publix. With the items we purchases  it gives us the best chance to simulate real like scenario's inside of the  class room compared to the real world.

The  Specially Designed P.E. program at Ridgeview High School provides students  with disabilities, both intellectual and physical, the opportunity to  experience all aspects of a comprehensive PE program. We have the highest  ESE/ASD community in Northeast Florida. The funds will be used to purchase a  variety of adaptive sports equipment and physically active games that promote  movement, focus and coordination.

Ridgeview  High School is a top-tier school that serves students with special  needs.  We are currently in need of  help funding for a copier for the ESE department.  Education has taken a more digital route,  which does not suit our students’ needs.   Our students still need pencil/paper and hands-on activities to make  learning gains.  Therefore, we need a copier  to continue to help our students be successful in the classroom setting. Ridgeview  High School is a top-tier school that serves students with special  needs.  We are currently in need of  help funding for a copier for the ESE department.  Education has taken a more digital route,  which does not suit our students’ needs.   Our students still need pencil/paper and hands-on activities to make  learning gains.  Therefore, we need a copier  to continue to help our students be successful in the classroom setting.

Rideout  Elementary in Middleburg currently services approximately 600 students  ranging from preschool through sixth grade.   Students with autism and students with autism and dual diagnosis are  also served in special education classrooms. The belief at Rideout is that  all children can and will learn.  The  vision statement in Clay County is:   "To prepare students to be lifelong learners who are successful  in a competitive global workplace and have applicable life skills."  The missions statement is: "To build  high quality learning environments that ensure all students learn at high  levels. Funding  would provide our students with special needs with a researched based  curriculum, Unique Learning, that offers students on different levels to  achieve goals.  The curriculum would  allow teachers to meet students at their ability levels, have fun while  learning and help students become more confident with learning. The platform  includes differentiated lessons, monthly assessments and  tasks/activities.  This helps students  build foundational skills, meet standards and achieve goals.     Funding would also provide maintenance and repair of trikes that provide  students with a fantastic outdoor activity and exercise.      I am also asking for funds to cover the purchase of an outdoor wood picnic  table for students to enjoy eating, activities and fun social events outside  throughout the year.  We have done  activities such as volcanoes, pumpkin labs, plant lessons and activities and  crafts.  It would be nice to work with  students outside with some of the lessons we do that can involve a large  clean up.

A  community offering relationship, support and mutual exchange through the lens  of presumed competence and the inclusive love of Jesus Christ.  Based at Redeemer Church in Ponte Vedra  Beach, FL. Special Nation offers a monthly, no-hush, judgment-free, short  worship service for the whole family called Second Sunday Special Praise. We  hope you’ll come and join us where you can worship your very own way on the  second Sunday of every month at 10:30am in the Student Auditorium.  Instruments as well as silencing headphones are available. All are  welcome!  Weekly Special Nation Friends  Group! We are hanging out every Wednesday night at 6:30pm.  On regular Sundays we also offer staffed  accommodations for all ages in our sensory-friendly Portable C during the  10:30AM service for Biblical teaching and socializing! We offer several  social events throughout the year like our Fall Festival Sensory-Friendly  Hour and Sensory Kind Night to Shine!

PossAbilities  Plus is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of  individuals with special needs in the local community. Through our vocational  training programs, participants earn independence experience, and  certifications in a learning environment at their unique pace. Through social  programming, participants’ lives are enriched by organized activities with  peers and through therapeutic classes. Classes work to develop basic social  skills and prompt collaboration. Participation in our social programming  sparks joy in our students as they explore new hobbies and form meaningful  relationships. After on-campus programming, participants may advance to  internships at local businesses that support our mission, under the guidance  of a job coach. Our mission is to help individuals with special needs  integrate into the community, while developing independence, self-worth and  confidence. We invite you to partner with us in moving these individuals one  step further. Project Title: Triking to Independence Expansion

Project Idea: The Triking to Independence program, initiated in collaboration with HEAL and PossAbilities Plus, aims to empower individuals with basic trike/bike skills for community integration.

Specific Goals:

- Expand the program beyond basic skills training to include advanced skills for community accessibility.

- Enable participants to utilize their trike/bike skills for shopping, work, and recreational activities in the local community.

Grant Proposal:

We are seeking support to expand our successful Triking to Independence program to equip individuals with the necessary skills to engage in community activities independently. With the initial success of teaching participants fundamental trike skills, we now aspire to broaden their capabilities for enhanced community access.

The program has already demonstrated its effectiveness in teaching participants how to mount, pedal, steer, stop, and dismount trikes, fostering a sense of independence and accomplishment. However, to further realize the vision of Triking to Independence, we require additional resources to extend our program into the community.

By investing in the expansion of Triking to Independence, we aim to break barriers and enable individuals to navigate shopping centers, workplaces, and recreational facilities confidently. This endeavor will not only enhance the quality of life for our participants but also contribute to building a more inclusive and accessible community for all.

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Mainspring  Academy requests funding for 20 adaptive trackball mice for 20 classroom  computers which will help support the motor skill needs as well as academic  and functional living goals specified in the individualized learning plans of  each of our students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Notably, 85% of students at Mainspring are nonverbal, language impaired, or  have a diagnosis of mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, 79% are  diagnosed with autism, and 28% of students have diagnoses associated with low  muscle tone.  A summative review of our  2024 core rubric assessments in the areas of employability, social  strategies, self-advocacy, daily living, and communication showed: an average  of 48% of students fall into the category of “Level 2” learners requiring  mild to moderate pictorial supports, 35% of students fall into the category  of “Level 1” learners requiring extensive supports, and 17% of students fall  into the category of “Level 3” learners who can participate in tasks  independently. Our objective in the coming year is to provide our classrooms  with evidence-based multimodal supports to improve outcomes for Level 1 and  Level 2 learner categories in the 2025-2026 school year. Research findings  from various studies found in publications such as the Journal of  Instructional Psychology, Education Masters, and the Journal of Educational  Leadership; as well as empirical evidence from classroom-based studies such  as the ECHOES project and MyVoice on the integration of assistive technology  accommodations in controlled classroom settings indicate significant  improvements in the areas of academic participation, communication, social  skills for students with IDD’s.

The  Snack Cart Delivery Service will enable ESE students to take on  responsibilities in a supportive and engaging environment. Students will  manage a cart stocked with snacks and beverages, delivering them to our  hard-working school staff every other Friday. This program not only promotes  self-confidence and independence but also emphasizes teamwork, communication,  and social interaction. Objectives:    1. Life Skills Development: Students will learn how to prepare snacks,  manage a small budget, and understand basic inventory skills.    2. Employability Skills: Through this experience, students will gain  practical skills that can be transferred to future job settings, such as  customer service and time management.    3. Social Skills: The project will provide numerous opportunities for  interaction with peers and staff, fostering positive relationships, building  confidence, and improving communication skills.    Implementation Plan:    1. Preparation Phase:    o Identify students interested in participating and create a fun curriculum  covering topics like food safety and customer service.    o A schedule will be created for preparing and delivering snacks along  with menus.    2. Training:    o We will hold engaging workshops to teach budgeting and effective  communication.    o Role-playing activities will help students practice interacting with  staff in a supportive environment.    3. Snack Cart Operations:    o Purchase two mobile carts and necessary supplies (containers, gloves,  aprons, utensils, etc.).    o Stock the carts with healthy snacks and beverages, ensuring affordability  and variety.    4. Evaluation:    o Feedback from both students and staff will help us assess the program’s impact.    o We’ll track student progress and celebrate their achievements along the  way.

This  school year, LAE has run into the problem of not having enough  furniture/items needed to provide individual spaces for our students with  ASD. While we receive funding from the school and state, the dividers that we  would like to purchase more of are quite expensive. Our ASD program is also  running low on items like light covers, door handle protectors, etc. With  this grant money, we would like to purchase more items to create  individualized spaces for students, as well as purchasing more items to ensure  student safety.

Kids  Connect Today teaches social skills to children, teens & young adults  with autism. Kids  Connect Today would like to use grant funds to give scholarships to families  who cannot afford our social skills classes.

We  have recently added adaptive swim lessons to our services due to the large  number of inquiries we were receiving from families looking for someone to  help their child with Autism to swim. Many families looked to traditional  lessons at large swim schools, but their children were not progressing, even  when enrolled in what they thought were "adaptive" or "sensory  friendly" lessons. We believe our background as pediatric therapists  sets us apart to teach children on the spectrum in a neuroaffirming and  loving way, empowering and educating the parent and child on how to remain  safe around all bodies of water. Part of our swim curriculum involves  teaching children how to put on and take off their own life jackets, and  jumping in and performing swim skills with their life jacket on. We are in  need of life jackets in multiple sizes and types in order to use in our  trainings. We also want to provide families with safe life jacket fittings to  ensure they are choosing the right life jacket for their child. We are  seeking $2,000 to cover the cost of life jackets for our adaptive swim  program. These will include:     -Konfidence vests in all sizes: used to teach swimming and gain confidence  in the water.    -Type II and III US Coast Guard Approved Life Vests to train kids on safety  and to provide correct fittings for personal use based on the child's  needs.    -PDF-A: Adapted life jackets for kids with multiple disabilities in all  sizes to promote a safe horizontal position in the water.

Jacksonville  School for Autism (JSA) is seeking funding to install new swings at our lower  school and remove/relocate an existing play structure, aiming to create a  sensory-rich and inclusive play area for our students. These swings  willbespecially designed to cater to the unique sensory and physical needs of  children with autism, providing both calming and stimulating experiences.  Your support will help us enhance our playground, offering students a  valuable resource for sensory integration, physical development, and joyful  play. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our  students by providing them with a safe and engaging environment to thrive in. If  awarded a grant for the installation of swings, the funds would be carefully  utilized to create an inclusive, therapeutic play area that supports the  sensory needs of our students with autism. Swings offer a vital outlet for  sensory integration and physical movement, helping to regulate emotions,  improve focus, and enhance motor skills.    The installation of these swings would contribute to our overall goal of  providing a safe and supportive environment that promotes both physical and  emotional well-being for our students. Funds from the HEAL Foundation grant  would go toward high-quality, durable swings specifically designed for  children with sensory challenges. This project would be tailored to meet the  unique needs of our students, enhancing their school experience and improving  their overall development.

The  Jacksonville Miracle League is on the westside of Jacksonville, but serves  children and adults with varying abilities from all over the multi-county  region. You will find happy players every Friday night and Saturday    morning during our spring and fall seasons. We    have many dedicated volunteers that serve our organization.  Our mission is to allow any child or adult  the chance to play baseball on our special field. We are  league that provides opportunities for    children and adults with disabilities/special needs to    play baseball. The players and the organizers get    great joy and benefit from participation in our    league. We play in the spring and the fall. We are    looking for funding for trophies, medallions, uniforms and sports  equipment.

HorsePlay  Therapy Center is the only nonprofit organization in Northeast Florida  offering a medical model of hippotherapy (physical therapy, speech therapy,  and occupational therapy on horseback) for children with special needs who  have diagnoses that include autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic  brain injury, sensory processing disorder, and genetic disorders.  Additionally, through our RISE UP FOR VETERANS program, we serve Veterans  suffering from PTSD, traumatic  brain  injury (TBI), combat-wounds, abuse trauma, and military hazing trauma. No  child or Veteran is denied use of horses in their therapy based on their  ability to pay. HorsePlay Therapy’s mission is to provide children with  special needs and veterans a foundation for developing skills that improve  their overall quality of life through hippotherapy (physical therapy,  occupational therapy, and speech therapy on horseback for children with  special needs) and other equine assisted therapies (RiseUp for Veterans)  provided in a safe and caring environment.    This year, to honor the families we serve, we are doing a HorsePlay Family  Day on October 12th, 2024. This event will have many items from the Fall  Festival we used to host: bounce houses, craft stations, noodle pony  stations, but will be catered to our families and their children’s sensory  needs- having a smaller, more sensory-forward event for the children that  attend HorsePlay and their siblings. We are seeking grant funding to help put  on this event to give our families a free fall event to attend where they  feel welcome to have fun and enjoy the barn! Our  funding needs include funding items to put on this event: bouncy houses,  portable wheelchair accessible restrooms, face painter, etc.

We are  an ABA school designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and  other special needs that struggle in the Public School system. Providing a  school program for children diagnosed with ASD and others with Intellectual  and Development Differences. Working in a fun and enriching environment with  an education, Life Skills while learning new communication skills and social  skills. Further  Educational training    Touchscreen computers/ I PADS with key boards    Noise Cancelling Headphones(Several pairs)    Headphones    Workbooks    Writing Adaptive supplies(Block crayons/pencils/pencil grips, Reading guide  strips)    New Games(Indoor and Outdoors)    Art and craft supplies    Wet/ dry erase Markers    Life Skill educational references(Step by step)    Baking and cooking Supplies     Supplies(Binders, Folders,Pocket Organizers, sheet protectors, Ink, Printer  paper, white Board Tape,,,,,,,)    TV's for educational and reward purposes.(Fun Friday's)    Wii machine/ will games for exercise on rainy/cold days

The  BridgeHaven Communication Clinic has been in operation since 2020, and over  the past four years has grown and thrived.   We are seeking funding for several reasons in order for our program to  continue to serve this community.     In an effort to expand our services to the community of typers and  spellers, the BridgeHaven Communication Clinic would like to offer ongoing  workshops to current and potentially interested families in the Jacksonville  area.  These workshops would be led by  our trained and accredited Facilitated Communication and Spelling 2  Communicate staff, and would be focused on implementing best practices,  developing fluency, and increasing individual independence.      Moreover, as our clinic continues to grow in name, reputation, and size, we  continue to receive requests for services from individual families that  cannot financially afford proper evaluations and coaching sessions.  We are hoping to secure funding to provide  financial assistance to these families so that funding is no longer a barrier  to individual communication.  The  financial assistance will be awarded to those families in need as determined  during the intake process, overseen by our Clinic Director.    Lastly, grand funds will be utilized to purchase the necessary equipment  for new typers and spellers, including Ipad stands and letter boards.

BridgeHaven  Academy is seeking grant funding to support our wellness / recreation  initiatives. Our goal is to build an outdoor fitness / workout area for our  participants.  We have explored many  options, and at this time are interested in purchasing 5-7 pieces of  equipment from ExoFit (https://www.exo.fit/).   HEAL has generously made two previous grant allocations for this plan,  and we are seeking a third donation at this time.

Fall  Fun at the Ranch will include Summer Adaptive Riding and Equine-Assisted  Learning Season, Open    Houses, Movie Outings and Caregiver Respite Events.    Fall Adaptive Riding and Equine-Assisted learning    Season: Participants will have equine-assisted    sessions which include grooming and riding with    support of a team of volunteers. The Mustang Learning    Program for high school age and up, will utilize equine-assisted learning  to develop social, life and work skills.    Open Houses: Open to the entire community (including    participants, their families, potential riders, donors    and other local autism community groups). All are invited for a fun  relaxing evening at the Ranch. Activities include dinner, horse grooming,  golf cart rides, fun and games.    Movie Outings: Partnering with Special Nation, we host    a monthly private movie showing for 50 participants and    their families. Our guests are comfortable to enjoy the movie however they  want (walk around, make noises, even dance). It's a great opportunity for our  participants    to experience movies-often for the first time. This    remains one of our most popular programs so we    remain committed to continuing this opportunity.    Caregiver Respite Events: We host monthly gatherings for parents/family  with children/family members impacted by autism or related disabilities. This  affords moms, dads and caregivers the opportunity to gather with fellow moms  facing similar parenting challenges and being with others who “get it.”    The HEAL grant will help fund our Fall season and    to pay for our movie outings along with    supporting Open Houses and Caregiver Respite Events.

As  part of the day program, BIG North Florida community members will participate  in part-time employment job training, which is aimed at providing a variety  of creative and meaningful work opportunities for our members.  Work opportunities will include making  creative gift baskets incorporating many artisan items like infused olive  oils, soaps, fragrances, and uniquely designed jewelry.  These items will be sold both online and in  our local community.     Heal Grant funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment and  supplies to enhance our small business ventures.

The  grant funds will be used to provide sensory toys, calming center, resources  for staff, and sensory stimulation in our garden as well as sensory  rooms.  The grant would also allow for  us to keep a rotation of a variety of educational toys specific  to address IEP goals as well as meeting the  needs of the students incorporating a variety of manipulatives to increase  their functioning within the classroom.   Item    Calming cube          Amazon    Sensory toys           Amazon    Gardening supplies      Home Depot    Weighted blankets         Amazon    Light up cubes           Amazon    LED calming lights         Amazon    Interactive books          Amazon    Communication laminated MELD boards for outside                                   Printing  company    Laminate                  TRuLam    Paint sets                        Kaplan    Educational toys           Amazon  

ECR4Kids Stackable Kiddie Cot, Toddler Size, Classroom Furniture, Blue * Sensory Chair for Kids (Ages 6-12) - 60 inches Inflatable Sensory Peapod  Provides Therapeutic Relief and Compression, ADHD Sensory Toys for Autistic  Children * Super-Soft Kids Weighted Blanket 5 Pounds - Weighted Blanket for Kids -  Easy to Clean, Washable Minky Cover - 36x48 Inches 5lbs Child Weighted  Blanket * Small Heavy Blanket for Girls and Boys    Excellerations Shapes Walking Rope for Kids Classroom Supplies(14-1/2'  Long)    * KICK BANDS Chair Bands for Kids with Fidgety Feet - Fidget Chair Bands  for Kids 12-Pack - Kickbands ADHD Band for Classroom Chairs & Desks -  Solace Sensory Kickband (GREEN)    * Tiny Land Train Set 110pcs Wooden Train Set, Toy Train for Boys &  Girls with Wooden Train Track, Wooden Toys for 3-7 Years Old Toddlers &  Kids, Railway Set Christmas Toys for Kids

The  Intensive Summer Program is four weeks of intensive Applied Behavior Analysis  and Verbal Behavior services for children with developmental disabilities.  The program starts with the parents filling out an enrollment package that  give the staff a good assessment of the needs for each child. Each child  receives a comprehensive and Individualized Program with identified goals and  objectives for the acquisition of targeted skills. The low student-to-teacher  ratio maximizes individualized attention throughout the entire day. Parents  can choose a two-week program or take advantage of all four weeks for the  Intensive Individualized Summer Program.

We are  a licensed group home with the Department of Children and families that  exclusively takes in kids with Autism and other related diagnosis in the  foster care system. We are planning to do a summer camp for our youth which  is currently at 5 residence. Strive  YFS is a licensed group home under the Department of Children & Families,  we specialize in providing housing for children diagnosed with Autism and  related disorders.    MISSION:  Empowering individuals with  autism to lead fulfilling lives by providing supportive and inclusive housing  solutions.    VISION:  Strive Youth and Family  Services envisions a future where accessible and compassionate housing not  only meets their basic needs but also serves as a catalyst for personal  growth, independence, and meaningful connections.

We  have two Thrift Stores that we use to help the Autistic and developmental  delayed individuals learn job skills and life skills. Those skills that we  develop, and they learn really help them when going to work in corporate  America. We pay these individuals to help them  learn about money and how to manage their  income. We have completed over 250 On the Job trainings in 6 years.While  we get some funding its not enough to cover the income of all our  individuals. Some of our employees take longer to move into positions with  other companies than others and this is where we use the grant money.

Spectrum  Sailing's 2024 Jacksonville camp took place during Duval County school spring  break, a time when children on the spectrum do not have school activities,  and also suffer from a lack of inclusive extracurricular activities and  programs to engage in.     Spectrum Sailing ran a 3-day professional sailing camp, free of cost to all  families, that was hosted by the Florida Yacht Club. Sailors were taught  knot-tying, weather and water safety fundamentals, parts of the boat, and how  to harness the wind to move the boat through the water. Each day of camp  consisted of several hours of active on-the-water sailing as each team of 3-4  kids worked together to sail their boats on the St. Johns River.     Inclusion is at the core of our mission, and we know that removing the  financial barrier to sailing is key to increasing access for this underserved  population. That is why we never charge the families whose kids attend our  camp. But our camps are not free to run, and we are seeking local community support  to help defray the costs of conducting camp, so we can keep this program free  for all kids.

We are  putting together a social skills program this summer with the hopes to run it  every summer moving forward for children between the ages of 8-12 years. The  program also has a parent component to teach parents the skills to increase  success with their children. We are planning to use the PEERS certified  social skills training program, which requires completion of a training  program in order to implement the PEERS system.

Special  Nation will provide social, recreational and therapy activities throughout  the summer for individuals of all ages in the community with autism and their  families. Our activities will include: regular Wednesday Night Friends Group  gatherings at Redeemer Church and other locations throughout the community  including Bit of Faith Ranch.This is a time for families to fellowship  together, enjoy community and learn about being followers of Christ with an  adapted curriculum.  Once a month, we  celebrate birthdays and have a Karaoke Night celebration. Additionally, we  provide respite on Sunday mornings for parents to attend on-site services.  Special Nation (partnering with Bit of Faith Ranch) hosts an At the Movies  event once a month for up to 50 people to gather to see a current movie in a  sensory-friendly private theater.  We  also partner with Bit of Faith Ranch to organize monthly Moms/Caregivers Meetups.  We offer a monthly Second Sunday Special Praise which is a family-friendly,  full church service including worship, a sermon, and communion for all  abilities.  This is a very special  intimate time for the individuals we serve and their families to go  to church where they find total belonging  and acceptance.  We will be hosting  five sessions of Music/Art Therapy over the summer. These once a week  sessions will be available by sign up for those impacted by autism and  related disabilities. Special Nation plans to have a VBS Night and a  sensory-friendly hour at our July 4th festival.

This program  offers a continuation and deeper dive into the STEM-centered customized art  therapy curriculum utilized during the school year. Created in collaboration  with Indigo Art Therapy, our art curriculum not only provides students with  opportunities to creatively express themselves, but incorporates sensory  integration, fine motor skills, cognitive spatial awareness, and strategies  for anxiety reduction. Funding is requested for larger-scale art projects  that will take place each themed week.

We  will run two programs during the summer:     1. Extra-Special Moms Group:     This group has been running for over a decade and is still our most  popular. It usually fills up in 48 hours and we usually have a waitlist. It  focuses on mainly moms, and this summer we will be opening it up to  partners/spouses of neurodivergent adults, as we're seeing a need for  understanding and support in this area. This group is created and led by  Janeen Herskovitz, LMHC    2. Socialization Group:     Katherine Scott, LMFT created our social skills curriculum/program, however  we have decided to call it a socialization group since the term "social  skills" usually has a negative connotation to those who have been forced  to learn how to be neurotypical. The goal of this group is to help autistic  teens and young adults learn how to function in a world that wasn't designed  for them. This group takes into account the sensory needs and abilities of  the group members and is led by two of our licensed therapists; Jordan  Depratter, LMFT and Nikeda Burphy, LMHC/registered play therapist.

As  mentioned previously, our participants’ social lives are enriched through  organized activities with peers, and through therapeutic classes. These  classes develop basic social skills and prompt an understanding of  collaboration. Over the course of the last few years, our director has  observed enhanced vocational skills in individuals who participate in both  vocational and social programming. On average, individuals who partake in our  social programming, have higher capacities for collaboration, heightened  social skills, and increased abilities to maintain skills in different  settings. While we aim to equip participants with more refined skills, we  also appreciate the value fun activities provide.    We have elevated our programming to include fun, off-campus excursions.  It’s these supplemental excursions we are looking to have funded through  HEAL. Through excursions, we seek to build participants’ confidence,  challenge their self or socially imposed limits, and expand their personal  experiences. All excursions will be professionally chaperoned and guided. We  are seeking funding for four upcoming group excursions this spring and  summer: a kayak experience, a career fair, a comedy show outing, and a trip  to the movies.     Finding appropriate social opportunities for individuals with Autism, can  put significant emotional and financial stress on families. Through funding,  our goal is to cover the costs of these excursions and provide a safe and  structured environment where participants can enjoy themselves  barrier-free.    We hope HEAL can see the value in helping these individuals challenge their  self and societally imposed limits, through enhanced excursions, and  supplemental programming.

The  marriage of both school and therapy services allow our program to focus on  boosting children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and language abilities in a  learning environment. By using a databased approach, this program empirically  supports teaching and therapy practices that are deemed highly effective from  research in developmental pediatrics. This model fuses a behavioral,  relationship-based approached with a more developmental, play-based one in  order to create an integrated while that is both individualized and  standardized. To ensure our learners are accessing play and  relationship-based skills, Palm Valley Child Development Center continues to  seek enrichment materials for our program throughout the school year and  summer session.     Both Mandala Family Wellness and Palm Valley Child Development Center share  a common playground. While the grant is targeting summer camp activities, we  hope to look at a larger scale project in updating our common playground to  become more adaptive and ADA friendly. This includes installing AstroTurf for  a more easily navigable surface for students and clients and additional  playground equipment for students to engage in both for physical and sensory  input.

Our  clients range in age from 3 - 19 years of age.       Relevant to this grant application, we serve the needs of our nonverbal  clients through the use of alternative forms of communication, such as string  and percussion Instrument playing, dance/movement, composing, drum circles,  and individual playlist creations. Many of our clients who are nonverbal are  finding ways to express themselves through music. We also use singing or  humming for these clients as a way to encourage forming words or phrases,  which often leads to them  speaking  with increased rate of speech, inflection and clarity. Our specific funding  needs are to ensure continuation of our group Music Therapy sessions during  the summer months, at no cost to parents.

Both  Mandala Family Wellness and Palm Valley Child Development Center share a  common playground. While the grant is targeting summer camp activities, we  hope to look at a larger scale project in updating our common playground to  become more adaptive and ADA friendly. This includes installing AstroTurf for  a more easily navigable surface for students and clients and additional  playground equipment for students to engage in both for physical and sensory  input.

Summer  ABA Program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) and other special  needs. Provide a summer  program for  children diagnosed with ASD providing either one-on-one insurance paid ABA or  private pay social skills. Working in a fun and enriching environment with  arts and crafts, sports, sensory, and water fun while learning new  communication skills and social skills.

Kids  Connect Today offers social skills classes in person and virtually for  children, teens and young adults with autism. We would like to use funds for  scholarships to give to families who cannot afford our services.

The  Summer Music Therapy Program at JSA offers a dynamic and enriching experience  tailored to the unique needs and interests of our students. Designed to  provide a supportive and engaging environment, this program integrates music  therapy techniques with individualized educational goals to promote holistic  development.    Throughout the program, students will participate in a variety of  music-based activities carefully crafted to address their specific challenges  and strengths. Under the guidance of certified music therapists and  experienced educators, participants explore rhythm, melody, harmony, and  movement, using various instruments and vocal techniques to express  themselves creatively.    The program's curriculum is highly flexible and adaptable, allowing for  personalized interventions to support communication, social skills, sensory  integration, emotional regulation, and cognitive development. Through  structured music experiences, students learn to enhance their verbal and  nonverbal communication, engage in peer interactions, and build  self-confidence.    Beyond the therapeutic benefits, the Summer Music Therapy Program fosters a  supportive and inclusive community where students feel empowered to explore  their musical abilities, express themselves authentically, and connect with  others in meaningful ways. By harnessing the power of music as a universal  language, this program inspires growth, self-discovery, and joy for students  with autism, enriching their summer experience and laying the foundation for  continued progress throughout the year.

We  play on a rubberized field to accommodate players with mobility  challenges.   All players bat and play  the field each inning.   Players bat  from coach pitching or a tee.  Players  bat until they make contact with a pitch and run all the bases.  We had an increase in registrations this  year which resulted in adding 2 more teams to our league.  We now have 8 teams with ~10 players per  team. Mission  Statement:  Every Child Deserves a  Change to Play Baseball.   We are a  league that provides opportunities for children and adults with disabilities  to play baseball, regardless of their abilities.  We cannot change or cure the medical issues  life has dealt them.  What we can do is  provide them with an opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that come  from playing baseball.

Our  funding needs include funding items to put on the camp; such as shirts for  tye-dying, crafts, snack supplies, extra equine staff for safety, etc. HorsePlay  Therapy Center is devoted to bettering the lives of children with special  needs by providing some horsepowered fun! In addition to our hippotherapy  program, where we offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech  therapy, we also have been able to provide our Breeders’ Cup Summer Camp in  2021, 2022, 2023, and upcoming in 2024! This camp will be a half day camp  where our campers get to experience therapist lead equine-assisted  activities, sensory trails, music, arts and crafts, life skills cooking  activities, and storytime with one-to-one child-to-counselor ratios. This  camp is put on by our clinical team, and counselors are Masters in  Speech-Language Pathology students from Jacksonville University - Palm Coast  Location.  In both 2022 and 2023, we  were fortunate enough to be supported by HEAL to do the Breeders’ Cup Special  Needs Camp free of charge for our campers! This year, seven out of ten of our  campers have diagnoses of Autism.

We are  preparing for our Free 2 Be Me and Camp Possible summer programs, and we need  your help to make this a fantastic experience for our campers. We have been  receiving many calls weekly looking for summer programming for students who  have been turned away from other camps because their "special needs were  too special."  We want to welcome  them to our program and give them a fun summer experience while also make  sure their families have peace of mind their children are being taken care  of. Thank you for your sponsorship last year.   I’m hoping you’ll be able to help us once again make our summer  program a success for students with disabilities.

The  goal of the HUG Junior Golf Camp is to focus on teaching the game of golf to  juniors within the autism spectrum. The HUG Junior Golf Program will be  hosted at TPC Sawgrass. Every instructor that participated in the HUG/HEAL  Junior Golf Program last summer was extremely touched by all the  participants.    Our specific funding needs are for shirts & hats for the junior golf  participants as well as funding for food & beverage purposes. Due to the  heat each day, the participants are given plenty of water & snack breaks  so they can recharge and hydrated for the day. This requires plenty of snacks  & drinks throughout the day. At the conclusion of the program each day,  the participants have lunch provided to them at no cost to them.

We are  seeking a grant to support summer activities and outings for our teens and  young adult students at Growing Together Behavioral Center. These  community-based experiences, such as dining at local restaurants, attending  movies, and shopping, are essential for enhancing the social skills of our  students. By engaging in these real-world interactions, our students can  practice and develop communication, social navigation, and practical life  skills, which are critical components of their overall educational and  personal growth. This grant would enable us to provide these enriching  experiences, fostering greater inclusion and community participation for our  students.

A  pivotal aspect of our mission is the upcoming expansion of the center's  facilities. This strategic growth allows us to almost triple capacity,  thereby extending our reach and impact. By moving to a new, larger building  and enhancing our resources, Growing Together is significantly increasing its  ability to serve more students. This expansion not only aligns with the  center’s foundational goals but also reinforces its commitment to nurturing  every student’s growth in a compassionate learning environment. This move  signifies a major step forward in fulfilling the center's vision of a  community where every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed,  including many of the 300+ students currently on our wait list! We view the  expansion and growth of Growing Together as a beautiful part of the legacy of  Aiden Kramer, for whom the school was originally designed, yet who sadly  passed away in July 2023. The sensory room, Aiden's favorite activity, held  particular significance due to his sensory deprivation from being deaf and  later going blind. It reinforced the importance of providing robust sensory  feedback in ways that really mattered to Aiden, a practice that has proven  invaluable for all our students. This understanding is a key element of how we  continue to learn and grow in our approach to education, honoring Aiden’s  memory every step of the way.

Our  8-week summer Transition Camp will focus on social skills with structured  group activities, daily living skills such as meal planning and preparing,  pre-vocational and vocational skills with work readiness lessons, exercise to  promote body movement and health/wellness, and weekly community outings. Our  program is specially designed for teenagers and young adults. Teenagers and  young adults are often overlooked and have limited summer program options. In  addition, many providers cap their ages for services at 10 years old. We have  certified staff who have the skills, abilities, and experience to work with  teens and young adults with continued oversight and support on teaching  methods and activities. The HEAL grant will help our families to reduce the  cost of camp, fund stipends for field trips in the community to generalize  skills learned in camp to real-life situations, food for our campers to work  on food preparation skills, and provide a scholarship to a family in need of  financial assistance to attend the camp.

Smile  Camp is a week-long day camp run by Girl Scouts, for children ages 5 to 11  with autism and other developmental and intellectual disabilities including  cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and visual and hearing impairments. Smile Camp  offers campers with disabilities, who might not have the opportunity  otherwise, to experience a week of new friends, outdoor adventure, and a  sense of belonging in an inclusive environment.     Smile Camp 2024 is being held at North Florida School for Special Education,  a site designed to be an accessible and safe space for Smile Campers. Smile  Campers will have access to the barn and animals at the school for a farm  themed day, as well as the playground, gym equipment, and outdoor spaces.      Each day at Smile Camp has a new theme with corresponding activity  rotations, including games, crafts, music, and outdoor activities. Smile Camp  gives children living with autism and other disabilities a break from their  day-to-day routine and brings them outside for an entire week of new  experiences. The camp also provides much needed respite care for the camper’s  parents and care takers.     The camp is run by as many as 40 Girl Scouts who are trained counselors  ages 14 to 18. Supporting them is a team of up to ten Girl Scout directors  ages 16 to 18 and Girl Scout adult volunteers including two adult advisers, a  registered nurse and a chef. Depending on the intensity of care needed,  counselors are paired 1:1 or 1:2 per camper.

Since  1981, the agency has been a leading provider of quality specialized  therapeutic foster care services (STFC). Currently, the STFC program provides  placement and foster parent support services with 42 highly trained foster  homes in Duval County. These vulnerable young people face significant  challenges that require intensive mental health treatment services, including  psychiatric care and trauma-focused therapy modalities. The therapist to  client ratio is 1:5 to allow for two sessions per week depending on level and  24/7 crisis management. In many cases, youth in treatment also have  co-occurring developmental disorders, including autism. The goal of the  program is to develop the skills and pro-social behaviors necessary for youth  to thrive in their respective communities as well as to prevent the need for  a higher level of care and/or involuntary hospitalization (Baker Act).    The agency seeks to continuously develop and implement innovative program  enhancements not funded by per diem agreements in the effort to increase  engagement and to expose children to new and exciting experiences. Because of  the severity and complexity of disorders, they are often excluded from “main  stream” summer camps or activities. This is especially applicable for  non-verbal autistic youth.  Thus, the  agency seeks to place each child in specialized camps that focus on  addressing pro-social behaviors and communication skills for youth with  specific developmental needs. The agency has identified several specialized  camps targeting youth with developmental disabilities.

The  BridgeHaven Communication Clinic has been in operation since 2020, and over  the past four years has grown and thrived.   We are seeking funding for several reasons in order for our program to  continue to serve this community.     In an effort to expand our services to the community of typers and  spellers, the BridgeHaven Communication Clinic would like to offer ongoing  workshops to current and potentially interested families in the Jacksonville  area.  These workshops would be led by  our trained and accredited Facilitated Communication and Spelling 2  Communicate staff, and would be focused on implementing best practices,  developing fluency, and increasing individual independence.      Moreover, as our clinic continues to grow in name, reputation, and size, we  continue to receive requests for services from individual families that  cannot financially afford proper evaluations and coaching sessions.  We are hoping to secure funding to provide  financial assistance to these families so that funding is no longer a barrier  to individual communication.  The  financial assistance will be awarded to those families in need as determined  during the intake process, overseen by our Clinic Director.    Lastly, grand funds will be utilized to purchase the necessary equipment  for new typers and spellers, including Ipad stands and letter boards.

BridgeHaven  Academy is seeking grant funding to support our wellness / recreation  initiatives.  Many of our students  struggle with motor control and intentional movement, and therefore often do  not have the opportunity to participates in games and sports.  Grant funds will be utilized to purchase  much needed game/sports equipment, which will provide our students with the  opportunity to learn new games and develop new skills.  Benefits will include increased motor  control; purposeful movement; gross and fine motor skill development;  socialization; and wellness.

Summer  Fun at the Ranch will include Summer Adaptive Riding and Equine-Assisted  Learning Season, Open Houses, Movie Outings and Caregiver Respite  Events.    Summer Adaptive Riding and Equine-Assisted learning Season: Participants  will have equine-assisted sessions which include grooming and riding with  support of a team of volunteers. The Mustang Learning Program for high school  age and up, will utilize equine-assisted learning to develop social, life and  work skills.    Open Houses: Open to the entire community (including participants, their  families, potential riders, donors and other local autism community groups).  All are invited for a fun relaxing evening at the Ranch. Activities include  dinner, horse grooming, golf cart rides, fun and games.    Movie Outings: Partnering with Special Nation, we host a monthly private  movie showing for 50 participants and their families. Our guests are  comfortable to enjoy the movie however they want (walk around, make noises,  even dance). It's a great opportunity for our participants to experience  movies - often for the first time. This remains one of our most popular  programs so we remain committed to continuing this opportunity.     Caregiver Respite Events: Hosting a mom/caregiver retreat weekend which  enables them to get away to rest, refresh and rejuvenate. Additionally, we  host monthly gatherings for mothers with children/family members impacted by  autism or related disabilities. This affords moms the opportunity to gather  with fellow moms facing similar parenting challenges and being with others  who “get it.”

As  part of the day program, BIG North Florida community members will participate  in part-time employment job training, which is aimed at providing a variety  of creative and meaningful work opportunities for our members.  Work opportunities will include making  screen-printed items and creative gift baskets incorporating many artisan  items like shower gels, soaps, fragrances, greeting cards, and dog treats.  These items will be sold both online and in our local community.     Heal Grant funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment and  supplies to enhance our small business ventures.

Best  Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical  and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual  and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to  form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve  communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also  offering support for their families.    Within our one-to-one friendship program, we have an adult friendship  program, Citizens. Serving participants 18 and older to continue friendship  and leadership development. Our adult program runs monthly hosting one to two  events. This summer we hope to host a large summer bash event for all  participants to get together.

Summer  Jam 2024 is 2 day/week summer program lasting for seven weeks.  In the past, Summer Jam was 1 day/week for  6 weeks. This year, I wanted to offer more activities such as creative dance  and movement, social skill groups, reading group, and tutoring. The tutoring  will be supervised by a certified teacher. The program is opened for 10  student; this will allow us to give specialized attention and support.

BASCA  offers a variety of programs designed to provide a range of learning  opportunities.  Our programs are a  blend of Educational Classes (Money Management, Languages, Science, and  History), Music, Exercise, and Art Classes, Social Development Classes (Anger  Management, Relationship Management, and Community Safety/Exploitation  Abuse), and Community Outings.  The  classrooms were set up so multiple classes could be held simultaneously, with  clients rotating to the various courses throughout the day and week. 33% of  the 77 individuals participating in the BASCA day program are on the autism  spectrum. A major part of our Day Program is getting out into the community  with every one of our individuals.  We  base these outings on opportunities that we think they will enjoy, that they  themselves advocate to participate in. The idea is to introduce both new  experiences along with experiences we know they find fun. Some of this past  year's outings included trips to the Alligator Farm, Marineland, The Pirate  Museum, the Florida Theater, and MOSH.   These outings can be at times both expensive to the individual families  and to the organization.  Entrance fees  for these outings are in addition to the normal day rate covered by the  State.  Also, due to additional  behavioral issues and/or physical issues, additional staff members must be  added to the outing to ensure that it goes smoothly.

CampAbility  is a recreational and educational summer program for school-aged children  with Autism and other intellectual/developmental/physical disabilities being  provided in a fun and safe environment. We host 2 camps simultaneously - a  kids camp (elementary ages) and a youth camp (6th - 12th grades). We also  offer summer camp sessions to the elementary-aged siblings. This is in order  to help alleviate the burden on parents by keeping their children in one  location, as well as provide familiarity to the camper with special needs by  having his/her sibling nearby and give the sibling(s) companionship with  other siblings who understand what it’s like to walk in their shoes.    Our camps are offered for 6 weeks throughout the summer, Monday - Friday,  from 9AM - 2PM (25 hrs/week). Campers are welcome to participate all summer  or select particular weeks to meet their needs. The camps provide the routine  and structure those on the Spectrum need throughout the summer, as well as  continue to work on social skills, life skills, and academic skills in a  creative and fundamental way.

Our  Extra Special Moms Group, designed & led by Janeen Herskovitz, LMFT &  mom of two neurodivergent young adults, is designed to help special needs  moms adjust to their new normal & receive critical mental health support.  Janeen is grateful to have been able to create, launch & lead this  program while employed with HEAL in 2009, and the program has been running  ever since! Data has been collected over the past decade which has informed  the group curriculum, based on the needs of the group members, as well as  input from the autistic community themselves, which we view as a crucial  component.    Our Adulting 101 group will be the first of it's kind, designed for  neurodivergent and autistic individuals who need help learning the skills  that lead to independence. It is our goal to be able to serve the entire  community, regardless of income. Each program runs for 6 weeks and is lead by  licensed,  clinicians, trained in how  to work ethically with the neurodivergent community.     We have recently hired Starrina Paul, a certified life coach and  non-clinical counselor who works for vocational rehab and is experienced in  helping people with disabilities gain independence. Katherine Scott, marriage  and family therapist, will co-lead the Adulting group to oversee that our  mission and vision are adhered to, as well as provide mental health support. We would  like to offer partial and full scholarships to these programs, as well as  cover supplies including a research based curriculum.

I was placed at  Lake Asbury Elementary as the new behavior site coach this year. My main job  is to support the ASD classrooms at Lake Asbury. When the students become too  dysregulated, they can come to my room as a place to de-escalate and calm  down they can come to my classroom. Unfortunately, I do not have many items  to help them regulate. I am requesting funds to set up a sensory room with a  swing, floor tiles, wall tiles, lights, etc for the students to use as they  need.

We are  in need of funding to help provide students with reinforcements, and a  sensory space. We currently operate a store in our department to encourage  desired behaviors.  The students are  able to earn Wolverine bucks to purchase items from the store.  We would like to stock the store with  necessities such as food, clothing, school supplies, fidgets, sweets and  keepsakes. The  grant money will be used to help fund the development of the CSS program at  Westside High School.  We will use the  funds to purchase sensory kits for the classes and sensory room.  We will also use the funds for the  Wolverine store.

Our  goal is to provide after school and weekend activities throughout the school  year for individuals with autism and related disabilities. Our activities  will include:    Regular Wednesday night Friends Group gathering at Redeemer Church and  other locations throughout the community including Peace of Heart and Bit of  Faith Ranch.  This is a time for  families to come together and enjoy community, music, and Bible Devotions. We  utilize adapted curriculum and object lessons during weekly meetings. Once a  month we will also celebrate the birthdays for that month and have Karaoke  night.    Special Nation at the Movies (partnering with Bit of Faith Ranch) - One  Saturday of every month up to 50 people can gather at the movies in a sensory  friendly, private theater.    Second Sunday Special Praise is an adaptive, family-friendly full church  service with worship, sermon, and communion for all abilities.  This is a very special time for the  community allowing families to go to church together where they find total  belonging and acceptance.    Sensory-Friendly Night to Shine – A prom experience in conjunction with the  Tim Tebow Foundation.    Fall Festival Sensory-friendly Hour - an hour dedicated to families  impacted by disabilities to utilize Fall Festival activities. The  grant funds will be used to pay for half of the movie outings over the school  year, gifts for birthday parties and special occasions, food, sensory items  and equipment, supplies, curriculum and staff for social gatherings.

The  funds were are requesting will go towards providing opportunities to take  these students out into the community in order to work on life and social  skills through experience learning. Some of the funding will also go towards  improving the students' work experience while at DIS.

The  Panther Challenge Transition program is offered to students who have  completed requirements for their  high  school diploma who have not reached the age of 22.  I see it like a college setting where the  main purpose is adult living skills.   We will learn about cooking food, following recipes and kitchen  safety.  Safety in the kitchen is  essential for the student to know to avoid accidents in the kitchen. The  funding would be used to purchase food to cook in the classroom.  Since Transition classes no longer get CBI  money we do not have funds to purchase food with is essential to this  program.  We do run a micro business  selling muffins to faculty and staff but its not enough to allow us to  cook.  On Fridays we all make lunch in  the classroom such as chili, spaghetti, hot dogs and fries to name a few  items.  My students are very interested  in the cooking process which helps them in their quest for independence.

These  are the items we believe will help our students: privacy blocker, water  cooler, kinetic sand, sensory toys, noise reduction headphones (3) color  printer, print ink, laminator, markers, hand sanitizer, bean bag  chair, white noise machine, microwave

Our  ASD VE classroom serves students of varying abilities and exceptionalities.  Our primary objectives are the academic advancement of every student and the  development of independent living/life skills. The classroom is home to  students from 9th grade all the way to transition age. We can potentially  have students for a total of 8 years. Because we are publicly funded by the  school board we lack essential equipment to meet each student's individual  needs. Grand  funds will be used to rebuild our sensory/calming corner as well as kitchen  items for living skills.    

The  funds will be used to purchase a variety of adaptive sports equipment for our  Specially Designed PE program that will encourage students to not only get up  and moving, but have fun while doing so!     The Specially Designed PE program has a diverse group of learners, who have  a wide-range of abilities and interests. The funds will be used to motivate  and encourage movement in and out of the classroom.

A  comprehensive program that works well with the students is called the  News2You Unique Learning System (N2Y).   The program help students through visuals, technology and presentation  of material.  It covers four core  academic subjects (Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science),  incorporates a library, a database for visual communication and a current  events activities. The grant funds will cover the following for 15 students  for one year.    

PossAbilities Plus seeks to serve individuals with autism and related  abilities in our local community. Through our many programs our participants  learn job skills and socials skills to enhance their opportunities to work in  the community. EDCESS drama club is a researched based program that allows  the participants the opportunity to learn to express themselves through many  forms. The program fosters teamwork and problem solving as well.  PossAbilities Plus understands how financially trying it is to live within a  disability bound budget. We strive to keep our programs affordable to all and  to provide scholarships to those in need. Funding from HEAL would allow us to  provide these opportunities to eight individuals this fall.

We  have a outside area out back. We have a fire pit and would like to clean up  our back area and get some cornhole and outside games. We have monthly  events for families and would love to have more outside now that the weather  is cooling off.

Mainspring  Academy seeks to introduce adaptive playground equipment for the sensory  input of our 63 students with autism and intellectual and developmental  differences (IDDs). The purpose of an adaptive playground is to help foster  progress in the self-advocacy and social-emotional development goals  specified in each student's individualized learning plan (ILP), which will  support the mission to provide quality, individualized education in a safe  learning environment where children with IDDs can thrive. In 1995, clinical  psychologist Patricia Wilbarger based the concept of sensory diet  interventions on the assumption that individuals (with or without ASD) need  certain types of sensorimotor experiences (i.e., passive [e.g., weighted  vest, massage], active [e.g., jumping, climbing]) to stay alert, stay  organized, and to successfully participate in many aspects of life. Wilbarger  further proposed that sensory diets can provide controlled sensory input or  utilize already existing sensory input for an individual to maintain a  “regulated behavioral state”. Particularly for students with neurological  disorders such as autism and other developmental and intellectual challenges,  current research on self-advocacy and emotional regulation, increasing  students’ abilities to focus and engage with learning, therefore we expect  students to improve in these areas. Equipment that encourages coordination,  motor development and vestibular and proprioceptive play such as climing,  rocking, creating sounds, riding, and swimming will be integrated into the  playground.

Resources  needed for the sensory room:     -Mini Trampoline    -Bean bag chairs    -Noise machine    -Sit n spin    -Padded Floor Mat     -Sensory Pea Pod    Resources needed for sensory supports within the classroom:     - adaptive wobble seats    - kick bands for seats    - noise reducing headphones    - Chewies    - weighted lap pads    - visual timers

Grant  funds will be used to offer scholarships to families who cannot afford our  classes.Saturday Social Skills Class series    Friday Night Teen Club series    Budget Details    (one eight-weeks session)    1 class every Friday for eight weeks    1 class every Saturday for eight weeks    Dates for Social Skills Classes    Friday Night Teen Club 7:00-10:00pm (3 hours )    Saturday Social Skills Class 10:00-12:00 pm (2 hours ) 8-Week Saturday  Social Skills Class Series: 10:00am-12:00pm 8 week Friday Night Teen Club  series: 7:00pm-10:00 pm    

For  the current school year, JSA is serving approximately 65 students, ranging in  age from 3 to 34, all diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). To  maintain an effective staff-to-student ratio, we employ nearly 75 staff  members. Our primary goal with our Annual Staff Training Program is to equip  our teachers, therapists, and administrative staff with the essential tools  required to facilitate each student's success.     Our training encompasses CPR/First Aid, Professional Crisis Management  (PCM), RBT Certifications (Registered Behavior Technician), and participation  in the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis (FABA) Conference. CPR,  First Aid, and PCM certifications are mandatory for staff working with  students with ASD. We actively support our paraprofessionals in obtaining RBT  certifications under the guidance of our BCBA's or BCaBA's.     Attending the FABA Conference keeps us abreast of the evolving field of  behavior analysis.    Ongoing training is essential to keep professionals updated with the latest  research findings, intervention techniques, and best practices. The field of  autism research and therapy is continually evolving, and staying informed is  paramount for providing the most effective and up-to-date support.    As our student and staff numbers continue to grow, the demand for these  critical training opportunities intensifies. Collaborations with community  partners have played a pivotal role in our expansion.     Presently, we are seeking a $2,500 funding award from the HEAL Foundation  to bolster our $20,000 training budget, exemplifying the transformative  impact of community partnerships on our students' lives.

For  children and adults facing serious disaabilities, the opportunity to play  baseball can be difficult to achieve. Baseball diamonds weren't exactly  designed with wheelchairs and crutches in mind. Miracle League teams play on  a custom-designed synthetic rubberized field that accommodates wheelchairs  and other assistive devices.     Our games are also played under modified rules:     - Every player bats once each inning    - All base runners are safe    - Every player scores a run before the inning is over    - Last batter up hits a home run each inning     - Community volunteers serve as "buddies" to assist the  players    - Each team and each player wins every game    *Safety is our #1 goal. The fun comes naturally!

HEAL  Scholarships would provide group and individual art therapy scholarships for  young adults and teens with autism. Group and individual art therapy sessions  are created to support individuals with developing social skills, cultivating  self-care routines, navigating life transitions, and cultivating creative  self-expression.

This grant would go to continued scholarships for our low-income families to participate in hippotherapy  services. At HorsePlay Therapy Center, no child is denied the use  of horses in their therapy services due to ability to pay.

Hope  Therapy’s immediate need is scholarship funding which is hugely driven by two  factors.  First is the gap that has  been created since Florida did not adopt a Medicaid expansion program to  continue coverage for eligible participants beyond the Families First  Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Terminations began in April 2023 for those  participants who no longer qualified for Medicaid benefits.  Many patients that began equine therapy  before and through the FFCRA period are now automatically being terminated  until their individual statuses can be reviewed for eligibility  reinstatement.  The immediate  termination of these benefits has left several of our patients without the  coverage to continue their personalized equine therapy program.  Scholarship funding will allow several  patients to continue their assigned equine therapy treatment program until Medicaid  determination can be re-established.       The second area that is driving the need for scholarship funding is that of  mental health.  Mental health issues  have been on the increase since the start of the pandemic.  We have seen direct evidence of this  through the number of new applications we have received requesting equine  therapy for mental health conditions related to anxiety and depression.   What makes this challenge even more unique  is that in Florida, the Sunshine Health program only covers equine therapy  for those 21 years and older and only covers 10 sessions per year, nor is  equine therapy coverage offered to minors through the Florida KidCare  program.  The majority of new patients  reaching out to our facility are between the ages of 12 and 18.