Announcement
Major Regional Autism Services Collaborative Announced
AllOne Foundation Leads Effort to Enhance Service Delivery System and Minimize Service Gaps
(Wilkes-Barre, PA) The leadership of AllOne Foundation, along with representatives of numerous health care, education and philanthropic entities, today announced a major, regional initiative to significantly enhance the service delivery system and minimize the service gaps for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families living in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania.
From left, John P. Moses, Esq., chair of the Board of AllOne Foundation; Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of The University of Scranton’s Panuska College of Professional Studies; and John W. Cosgrove, executive director of AllOne Foundation and Charities.
The Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence (ACCE) was formed to deliver a full array of services and supports for individuals with ASD, from early intervention to adult services.
John P. Moses, Esq., Chairman of the Board at AllOne Foundation, stated, “The Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence represents an opportunity for our region to develop a sustainable framework to address existing service gaps. Moses said, “Working collaboratively, we seek to create a national model for scientifically-sound innovation at the cutting edge of ASD care.”
ACCE includes regional leaders and ASD experts from Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute (ADMI), Misericordia University, The University of Scranton, Friendship House, Children’s Service Center, Wyoming Valley Children’s Association (WVCA), Allied Services, Goodwill Industries of NEPA, Hope Enterprises, Inc., Luzerne County ARC and NEPA Center for Independent Living.
ACCE will directly benefit preschool children through adults with ASD in the 13-county area of Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania. Specific services will vary by age but will be available to families regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Based on combined county census data and a presumed ASD prevalence of 1 in 68, the estimated number of individuals in the region living with ASD is over 17,500, making this a high-impact initiative.