CVS Caremark Charitable Trust Invests $300,000 in Easter Seals’ Autism Services for Young Children

Grant expands evidence-based therapies for children with autism

CHICAGO, July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust announced a $300,000 grant to Easter Seals to advance evidence-based autism services for young children nationwide. The grant, made possible through the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Program(TM), is in response to families’ need for greater access to autism services as reflected in key findings of Easter Seals’ recent Living with Autism Study.* These funds enhance nearly $6 million already provided to Easter Seals through the All Kids Can Program in which Easter Seals is a national partner.

“We know that through early detection and individualized intervention, autism is treatable,” said Patricia Wright, Ph.D., national director autism services, Easter Seals. “This CVS Caremark grant will help advance professional training for Easter Seals’ therapists to assure enhanced availability of essential evidence-based interventions.”

As many as one out of 150 children today is diagnosed with autism, and the need for treatments continues to grow exponentially. Getting the right support at the earliest stage in life makes all the difference. Known as early intervention, this critical type of service gives children the skills they need to be successful. As the nation’s largest non-profit provider of autism services, Easter Seals is committed to responding to the needs of families living with autism.

Families living with autism not only require access to services, but also to appropriate insurance coverage for these critical treatments. A portion of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust gift will underwrite a study by Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute to provide resources to families living with autism.

“CVS Caremark is committed to helping improve the quality of life for children with autism through this grant,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, senior vice president, Corporate Communications and Community Relations, CVS Caremark. “By supporting Easter Seals in enhancing evidence-based therapies, our reach can impact families living with autism now and those who may be diagnosed in the future.”

“We know what’s possible for children with disabilities and their families,” said James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Easter Seals. “Thanks to our partnership with CVS Caremark, Easter Seals continues to provide exceptional services to deliver solutions that shape the lives of children and families living with autism.”

Established in 2006, the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Program selected Easter Seals as a national partner in the five-year, $25 million initiative to support children with disabilities. The 2009 CVS Caremark All Kids Can grant will benefit children with autism at Easter Seals affiliates in Central California, the Bay Area (CA), South Florida, North Georgia, Metropolitan Chicago (IL), DuPage and Fox Valley Region (IL), Joliet Region (IL), Central and Southeast Ohio, Southeast Pennsylvania, North Texas and Rio Grande Valley (TX).

AMC Theatres and the Autism Society of America teamed up last year on the “Sensory Friendly Films” project. The project allows families that have children on the autism spectrum to attend the showing of a new release in a theatre without worries about sensory overload, embarassing meltdowns, etc. On July 11, AMC Theatres that participate in the Sensory Friendly Films project will be airing Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

During the show, lights aren’t turned down as dark, the volume on the soundtrack isn’t as loud, and families can even bring in their own GF/CF snacks.

On a different note, don’t forget to register to win a free WELLalarm Medical ID Sticker product (retail value $30).

Boston Parks and Recreation Department and CVS Caremark Open City’s First Boundless Playground for Children of All Abilities at Harambee Park

The $740,000 signature playground in Dorchester allows for inclusive play for all children

BOSTON, May 21 /PRNewswire/ — Boston Parks and Recreation Department, CVS Caremark, and Boundless Playgrounds announce today the grand opening of a new playground at Harambee Park in Dorchester, Mass. that provides access for children of all abilities to play together. Construction of the playground is funded in part by a $250,000 grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, along with $490,000 provided by Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Capital Improvement Program. The new playground will be unveiled today by Mayor Menino at a grand opening ceremony.

“This project allows children of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy one of our greatest resources, our neighborhood parks,” noted Mayor Menino. “Thanks to the partnership among the City of Boston, CVS Caremark, and Boundless Playgrounds all kids can enjoy this unique play area at Harambee Park. It allows all kids to take part in the fun and will offer many of them new perspectives and activities that may not have been attainable until today.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this project to bring the first Boundless Playground to Boston,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, Senior Vice President of Community Relations for CVS Caremark. “CVS Caremark All Kids Can is committed to helping children with disabilities succeed in life, and we are proud to be able to make an impact on children within the Boston community.”

This marks the city’s first Boundless Playground and the sixth in Massachusetts with six more underway. According to the Boston Public Schools database, 20 percent of enrolled children receive specialized education for some type of disability. Also, according to US Census Data, there are approximately 1,097 children ages 4-14 in Boston with a physical disability that might keep them from playing in a traditionally designed playground.

The new playground replaces a former play structure, originally dedicated in 1992 that was not universally accessible and in need of an update.

The Harambee Boundless Playground has been designed to maximize play for everyone regardless of their abilities and includes ample space to allow kids of varying degrees of ability to play side-by-side. Located at the center of the playground is an elevated gazebo, enabling children with disabilities to be up high, while also giving caregivers a view of children to encourage independent, self-directed play. The playground promotes inclusion with the addition of play panels for everyone to gather. Swings with high backs and unitary surfacing underneath make this popular playground activity easily accessible.

CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark, is dedicated to making life easier for children with disabilities. Since 2006, CVS Caremark All Kids Can has donated more than $2 million to the building of Boundless playgrounds across the country. CVS Caremark’s signature playground projects include three $250,000 grants to open three playgrounds including today’s opening at Harambee Park, as well as Los Angeles and Dallas locations.

With a grant funded by the University of Massachusetts Boston, the Institute for Community Inclusion helped to coordinate the build through its “Meet Me at the Park, LET’S PLAY” project that promotes participation of all individuals in their communities.

“Creating fully inclusive community playgrounds reflects Boston’s ongoing commitment to create opportunities for all its residents. Playgrounds like Harambee minimize differences among children while creating a realization among adults that disabilities do not have to limit opportunities for all children to play and learn together,” said William Kiernan, Director of the Institute for Community Inclusion.

“The positive impact of the new Harambee Boundless Playground will last far beyond today’s celebration,” said Frederick Leone, chief executive officer of Boundless Playgrounds. “For years to come, children and adults with and without disabilities will gather here to play together and learn that everyone has their own unique talents and abilities.”

National Autism Association Provides Funds to Law Enforcement Agencies in Staunton, Virginia and Summit County, Utah for Project Lifesaver Equipment

RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C., May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Autism Association (NAA) announced today it has awarded grants to two more law enforcement agencies for Project Lifesaver Equipment through the organization’s FOUND Program. Staunton, Virginia Police Department and Summit County Utah Sheriff’s Department will both receive grants for $6800 for the equipment, which includes five wristbands for children with autism at high risk for wandering. FOUND was developed by NAA to counter the rise in wandering-related deaths among children with autism spectrum disorders.

Project Lifesaver is a nationwide tracking program established to quickly locate and rescue missing persons with cognitive impairments and developmental disabilities. Counties are chosen by NAA based on need. “In Summit County, a twenty-year-old with autism had gone missing several times, resulting in multiple search and rescue efforts. NAA felt Project Lifesaver equipment would ensure this person’s safety in the future,” said Wendy Fournier of NAA. “Staunton Virginia, also has individuals at high risk and needed funding.”

Due to its 100% recovery rate, NAA hopes more counties will implement the Project Lifesaver Program.

Fundraising tools were established by NAA for communities that wish to raise funds in their own counties for Project Lifesaver. To download fundraising tools, visit www.nationalautismassociation.org/found.php.

The FOUND Program relies heavily on donations. Donors have a choice to adopt an entire county or a partial county for any given amount by visiting http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/proddetail.php?prod=Donation-FOUND

To learn more about Project Lifesaver, visit www.projectlifesaver.org. Parents and caregivers can also find safety tips on NAA’s site at www.nationalautismassociation.org/safetytoolkit

Safeway Earns Easter Seals’ All-Time Top Corporate Partner Designation

First Company to Surpass $100 Million Contribution Mark to Support Families Living with Autism and Other Disabilities

CHICAGO, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Safeway (NYSE: SWY) captures Easter Seals highest honor after raising a record $10.2 million for the organizations’ services for children and adults with autism and other disabilities in 2009 alone and by exceeding the $100 million milestone for lifetime contributions. The national nonprofit recently designated Safeway its “All-Time Top Corporate Partner” during an awards ceremony recognizing Easter Seals’ entire family of corporate partners.

This past April, for the fourth year, Safeway stores in the U.S. and Canada raised funds for people with disabilities, inviting customers to support Easter Seals services for children and adults with autism and other disabilities at checkout. The campaign coincided with Autism Awareness Month and Easter Seals’ efforts to raise awareness about the services and treatments the organization provides to families living with autism.

In just one month, Safeway raised $8,824,141 through the April in-store fundraiser. Safeway employees also raised an additional $1.4 million through local market events, golf tournaments, galas and fundraisers — bringing the company’s 2009 grand total for Easter Seals services to $10.2 million.

Safeway’s Impact on Families Living with Autism and Other Disabilities

“Ten million dollars can literally change the lives of thousands — and it does,” says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “Safeway’s commitment to Easter Seals and the millions of families we serve runs far beyond the annual fundraising campaign — it’s business. Today, the company employs more than 10,000 adults with disabilities, giving many a career and a means to live independently.”

This year, funds raised will support a variety of Easter Seals services across the country for families living with autism including:

• In California, job training and employment opportunities, pre-school and after-school services, independent living options that keep people in their own homes instead of institutions, services that help adults learn daily living and social skills that most of us take for granted, and early and intensive intervention for toddlers recently diagnosed with autism.
• In Colorado, a series of family camp retreats and respite programs for families living with autism to relax and play together and formalized assistance for families when their children with autism transition in and out of school — an incredibly challenging time especially for young adults with autism trying to enter the workforce and live independently.
• In Texas, scholarships for critical therapy services for those families that are unable to afford the cost of high-quality physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies and programs to help adults obtain and maintain employment through careful job placement, job coaching and long-term follow up and support.
• In Arizona, supports for assistive technology and early intervention programs through state-of-the art equipment and augmentative communication devices for individuals with disabilities to use at home, school or work before making an often costly purchase and speech, occupational, and physical therapy as well as a unique feeding program for infants and toddlers.
• In Illinois, Easter Seals new Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research, specifically the Vocational Training and Work Center, and the Research Node Connection Lab that focuses on preparing children with autism for life after school and future employment.
• In Washington, D.C., respite programs, autism training for therapists, assistive technology and inclusive early childhood education.

“Since 1986, Safeway and its family of grocery stores have worked to raise funds and bring attention to Easter Seals’ critical mission,” says Larree Renda, Safeway Executive Vice President and Chair of the Safeway Foundation. “Most important, is the message that people with autism and other disabilities are valuable members of the workforce — even in these tough economic times. Too many businesses don’t take the risk in hiring people with disabilities. At Safeway we’ve embraced it, and have had great success.”

“The need for services is greater than ever — from therapy for young children or families living with autism to supports for older adults and military service members and veterans,” adds Williams. “We are appreciative and honored that Safeway and its thousands of employees are committed to helping us make a significant difference.”

“Working with a variety of Partners in Integration throughout the province of Ontario, Reach for the Rainbow provides integrated recreation, respite and outreach opportunities designed to engage the hearts and minds of all individuals. Our programs encourage environments for typical children and individuals to live, play, work and inspire themselves alongside children and youth with disabilities, creating transformative experiences of belonging. What makes Reach for the Rainbow particularly unique is the fact that we started out and remain today an umbrella for all disabilities – both developmental and physical.” Source: Reach for the Rainbow

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