Pacific Autism Center for Education Press Kit 2024
Our mission is to enhance the lives of people impacted by autism through innovation, exceptional education, and compassionate care
1880 Pruneridge Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050 | www.pacificautism.org
Agency Overview MISSION To enhance the lives of people impacted by autism through innovation, exceptional education, and compassionate care. VISION A world in which people of all abilities live fulfilled lives. VALUES · The highest quality of life for our clients · A qualified, motivated, and happy staff · A culture of continuous improvement · A commitment to serve all who can benefit from PACE BACKGROUND: Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) was founded in 1989 by a group of concerned parents and educators as a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to meet the critical need for high-quality education and care for children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities. Prior to this time, many of our students had been placed in inappropriate classroom settings, and many of our residential clients were housed in unsuitable state hospitals and developmental centers. PACE was born after years of futile attempts
to work within the traditional system to meet the specialized needs of persons with autism. Starting with 14 students in 1989 and one group home in 1992, PACE currently serves over 60 students in the school program, operates five group homes for children and adults, and provides early intervention and behavior therapy services for families in the Bay Area. Additionally, PACE offers a free online e-learning platform, Porchlight Autism Education Series, for parents and caregivers of children with autism.
The Programs PACE Facilities Organization Give a brief explanation for PACE theprovides page for the educational, residential, and behavioral therapy needs of individuals
with autism and other developmental disabilities. Specialists in speech and language development, occupational therapy, behavior management, and special education instruction work as a team to serve the diverse needs of our students, residents, and clients. PACE programs include: THE PACE SCHOOL PACE School is a non-profit, non-public school certified by the California Department of Education and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The PACE School has campuses in Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, California. The Pruneridge Campus (Santa Clara) serves our younger students, and the Sunnyvale Campus (San Aleso) serves upper-age students. PACE School serves students ages 6-22 who live with moderate to severe autism, with specific emphasis on non-verbal students and those with especially challenging behaviors and communication disorders. SUNNY DAYS PRESCHOOL Sunny Days is an NPS (non-public school) and CCL-certified preschool. The inclusive program supports 3 to 6-year-old children on the autism spectrum, neuro-typical children, and those needing a little extra support in a responsive and nurturing environment. The program offers a highly trained, energetic staff directed by a certified Early Childhood Special Education teacher
FACES BEHAVIORAL SERVICES Faces Behavioral Services, a department of PACE, offers 1:1 behavioral therapy for children ages 18 months to 14 years old diagnosed with autism. Faces services are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Services are offered in the clinic in West San Jose, as well as in homes, schools, and in the community.
PACE RESIDENTIAL PACE owns and operates five group homes in Santa Clara County, licensed to serve residents from 6 to 59+ years of age. Each group home houses six individuals and is managed by an Administrator who is assisted by a team of trained residential staff members 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each home provides an enriched and familylike environment for our residents.
The Facilities PACE Facilities Organization Give a brief explanation for thePRUNERIDGE page PACE CAMPUS In January 2008, PACE opened its own privately owned facility in Santa Clara, CA, designed around the special needs of the autism population. Creating the building from the ground up allowed special design elements such as natural lighting and hypoallergenic materials that are consistent with green initiatives and support the sensory needs of PACE students. The facility serves elementaryage students. PACE SAN ALESO CAMPUS In September 2023, PACE opened its second school campus in Sunnyvale, CA. Referred to as the PACE San Aleso Campus, the facility can accommodate up to ten classrooms and features an innovative Occupational Therapy gym, dedicated vocational training rooms, and indoor/outdoor space designed to fit the sensory needs of our students. The facility currently serves upper-grade level students. SUNNY DAYS PRESCHOOL FACES BEHAVIORAL SERVICES Our children’s programs, Sunny Days Preschool and Faces Behavioral Services, are located in west San Jose, near the historic Rose Garden neighborhood. The facility is situated within the Cory Educational Center campus. Faces offers clinic-based services at this location.
The Leadership PACE Facilities Organization The PACE executive and administrative staff oversee the implementation of programming and operational objectives
Kurt Ohlfs
Karen Kennan
Karyn Caradonna
Executive Director
Assistant Executive Director
Director of Human Resources
Having spent more than thirty years working in the non-profit sector, Karen is experienced in child development, fundraising, program development, strategic planning and outreach.
Karyn has over 15 years serving in Human Resources. Karyn’s background covers a full range of HR functions with emphasis in areas of recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and reorganizations.
Lori Strickland
Nancy Elghiani
Melissa Watkins
School Director
Finance Manager
Marketing and Development Manager
Kurt has served as the PACE Executive Director since 2005. Kurt has been instrumental in implementing improvements at PACE in organizational management and technology innovation.
Lori has been in education for 16 years. She has experience as a Guidance Professor, Assistant Principal of Instruction, Learning Director/Counselor, and Assistant Principal of Special Education.
Nancy has 9 years of experience in finance and accounting in Tech and Education sectors. At PACE, she is responsible for the financial management of the agency.
Melissa comes to PACE with extensive experience in marketing, operations, project management, and community engagement. She is responsible for the agency’s marketing and development strategic plans.
The Facilities Governance and Support PACE Organization BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors is responsible for all fiduciary decisions, strategic direction, policy, and leadership.
Sarah Mudgett, President Territory Sales Manager, CooperSurgical
Marina Djordjevic Senior Corp Technical Recruiter, Carbon Health
Mark Peper, Vice President Director of Operations, LIFE ElderCare
Mark Gilfix Attorney, Gilfix and La Poll Associates LLP
Debbie McCarroll, Treasurer Retired Financial Services
Lisa Grisalin Broker Associate, Partner Keller Williams Realty-Silicon Valley Broker, Grisalin Management, Inc.
Kurt Ohlfs, Secretary Executive Director, PACE Nancy Brown Retired Education Administrator
Sruba Seshadri Account Technical Executive, Cadence
Joe Dermer Owner Attorney, Dermer Law Firm SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS PACE is supported by the California Department of Education and the Department of Developmental Services. Additional grants and donations from local government agencies, community-based organizations, businesses, and individuals make it possible for PACE to provide exceptional care for clients in our school, early intervention programs, and residential homes. A full 10%, $1M, of PACE’s budget is garnered through our fundraising efforts. For a complete listing of the financial support PACE has received from corporations, businesses, and foundations, please visit our website (www.pacificautism.org). If you’d like to join these organizations in support of PACE, please contact Melissa Watkins at 408.625.6174, or email development@pacificautism.org
The Facilities About Autism PACE Organization WHAT IS AUTISM? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that impacts an individual’s ability to regulate sensory input, to communicate, to interact socially, and to learn in conventional ways. Autism is considered a spectrum disorder and so affects each individual differently and to varying degrees. Early intervention is crucial to mitigate the degree of impact. By learning the signs early, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs. Since autism is considered a spectrum disorder, there is a wide variety of signs that may vary in severity. Common indicators may include: Hypo (under) and hyper (over) sensitivity to senses: sound, sight, taste, touch and smell Impaired social skills (i.e., limited or no eye contact, no age-appropriate peers, and no emotional sharing) Stereotypical or rigid repetitive behaviors (i.e., difficulties with change, abnormal preoccupation) Communication problems and difficulty understanding language (i.e., echolalia, delayed speech, non-responsiveness) Problems understanding metaphors and prone to literal interpretation only
CURRENT STATISTICS 1 in 36 children has autism today— about 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, as reported by parents, during a study period of 20092017 (cdc.gov) In California, 1 in 22 8-year-old children were identified with ASD by the CA-ADDM program in 2020. This makes Autism the fastest-growing diagnosis in the California Special Education system (cdc.gov) ASD is 4 times more common in boys than girls (autismspeaks.org) Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan (autismspeaks.org)
The an After Autism Diagnosis PACE Facilities Organization FIRST STEP If you believe your child may have autism, one of the first people to speak with is your child's pediatrician, who can guide an initial assessment and, if necessary, refer you to additional professional resources for further testing and evaluation. Your pediatrician or regional center may offer you a list of local service providers. WHAT NEXT? Once your child has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you’ll need to get organized. You can expect a lot of paperwork associated with evaluations, educators, therapists, insurance providers, and service providers. You may want to start a binder or e-file system (such as Google Drive) to keep track of the different service providers and schedules. If your child is younger than three, contact the California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) to begin Early Intervention services: www.dds.ca.gov. They will direct you to your local Regional Center, a community-based nonprofit corporation funded by the state to serve people with developmental disabilities. The Regional Center will provide you with more information about services and eligibility. The Regional Center for Santa Clara County is the San Andreas Regional Center (SARC): www.sarc.org. The Peninsula and San Francisco area are served by the Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC): www.ggrc.org.
If your child is older than 3, currently attends school, or will begin the next school year, you will want to work with your School District to determine the most appropriate educational options for your child. California state law and the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provide your child’s right to a free and appropriate special education. IDEA states that a child with disabilities is entitled to have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Parents of a child with special needs become part of an IEP team that decides what type of special education program a child will receive. More information: Parents Helping Parents: www.php.org Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org Children’s Health Council: www.chconline.org PACE: www.pacificautism.org/resources
The School PACE Model Facilities Organization Give a brief explanation for More than five decades ago, then-President Gerald Ford, together with the United States Congress, the page
signed into law The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Known as Public Law (PL) 94-142, the purpose of this legislation was to assure access for all handicapped children to free and appropriate public education. Building upon the earlier law, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed in 1997 and was followed by legislation in 2004 that strengthened the earlier Acts. Public schools across the country responded to this law by opening their doors to many children whom they had not previously served. With enhanced training, school personnel strengthened their special education programs and implemented programs for students with more severe disabilities. Much progress was made. However, public schools cannot always provide the level of intensive intervention and instruction that some students require. In response to this reality, the Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) was founded in 1989 by a group of concerned parents, educators, and community leaders. PACE serves a population of individuals who are impacted by moderate-to-severe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a specific emphasis on service to non-verbal individuals. The PACE School is particularly well equipped and designed to support students who might otherwise not be well-served in a public school setting. The PACE School Model employs a multi-disciplinary team, including a special education teacher, behavior specialist, instructional aide, occupational therapist, and specialists in speech and language. Together, the team, which also includes the child’s parents, helps to assess each student’s needs and create a program combining therapeutic and educational strategies to optimize progress. We believe that autism is a challenge of interrelatedness, not a cognitive disability. Individuals with ASD are characterized by impairments in social interaction and social-relatedness and have difficulty interacting with people and the world around them. Furthermore, these students often struggle with conventional language and communication and have trouble regulating sensory input. For students with ASD, the inability to manage the overwhelming stimuli with which they are constantly bombarded and the frustrations they experience around unsuccessful communication, affect every aspect of their learning. Further reflecting the unique aspects of PACE School is our ability to provide aides who work with students throughout each day as needed. We believe providing students with aides who can read the student’s sensory needs and communication efforts ultimately diminishes frustration and promotes growth toward self-regulation and effective communication. Aides and teaching staff alike follow the mantra “Connect, Support, Educate." At the heart of the PACE Model is our vision for every student to develop the ability to relate, to communicate, and to self-regulate. Starting from these building blocks, PACE’s multidisciplinary, multi-methodology educational program strives to help our students develop age-appropriate occupational, language, academic, and vocational skills to last a lifetime. To this end, PACE School is committed to enabling all individuals with autism to reach their full potential.
The Facilities Sunny Days Preschool PACE Organization ABOUT OUR PROGRAM Serving San Jose since 2005, Sunny Days Preschool is a California-licensed child care center (CCL) ideal for children ages 3-6 years old on the autism spectrum or for those needing a little extra support in a responsive, developmentally appropriate setting. We combine methodologies that together provide for each child’s unique needs and learning styles. Children work on communication, sensory integration, social-relatedness, gross and fine motor development, and play and self-help skills. Minimum 1:3 adult-to-student ratio Class facilitated by credentialed Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Classroom size of 8-12 students Emphasis on play and social development Responsive teacher/child relationships Ongoing assessments of your child’s progress 1:1 aide available for an additional fee Inclusive preschool for children of all abilities SCHEDULE Children may enroll for two, three, or five days per week. Classes meet Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 12 PM. Families who are interested in our program can learn more about the intake process at www.pacificautism.org/programs/sunnydays-preschool.
THERAPY INTEGRATION Sunny Days Preschool is supported by speech and occupational therapists as well as Behavior Therapists. Speech Therapy is provided by a licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) to develop: speech, articulation, and language skills cognitive and social communication oral motor and feeding skills Occupational Therapy is provided by a licensed Occupational Therapist to address: fine and gross motor skills sensory integration sensory processing disorders attention and regulation Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is provided by behavior therapists to improve: challenging behaviors appropriate play skills communication and social deficits
CONTACT 897 Broadleaf Lane, San Jose, CA 95128 T: 408.625.6198 | F: 408.716.2192 preschool@pacificautism.org CCL Facility #434414613
The Facilities Faces Behavioral Services PACE Organization ABOUT OUR PROGRAM Founded in 1995 and acquired by PACE in 2011, Faces Behavioral Services supports children ages 18 months to 14 years old with autism to reach their full potential utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Under the direction of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), services include intensive early intervention, elementary-aged intervention, school and parent consultation, and social development. BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION SERVICES Behavior therapy services include 1:1 intensive early intervention, elementary-aged intervention, school and caregiver coaching, and social development. Therapy can take place in our Faces clinic, the home, the community (daycare, after-school programs, scheduled play dates), and at school (with permission). The Faces clinic is offered at the Sunny Days Preschool site and is open from 9 am to 5 pm. The clinic provides socialization and school readiness opportunities that may not otherwise occur during home sessions. A clinical supervisor provides ongoing supervision to facilitate activities and routines. Individual ABA goals are developed and targeted throughout the clinic session to include independent skills, social opportunities, appropriate play skills, and management of challenging behaviors. CAREGIVER COACHING Caregiver coaching is an integral part of Faces Behavior Services. In order to enhance independence and quality of life for your child, a minimum of one hour per month commitment to collaboration is required by caregivers.
WHAT IS ABA? Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is based on empirical research and is considered by the FDA to be the most effective treatment for children with autism and related disorders that is currently recognized by insurance companies. Faces behavior therapists work with children using multiple ABA-based teaching methods to address all significant areas of functioning including: Communication and language Behavior management School readiness Peer socialization Play skills Self-care and independent living skills
INSURANCE Faces accept payment through health insurance providers. For out-of-network providers, we will provide billing statements and insurance forms for your submission. We can also coordinate services with Regional Centers and school districts. Private pay options are available. CONTACT Intake: 408.785.0102 | intake@facesforkids.org Maureen McNeil, Administrative Manager 650.622.9601 | facesschedules@facesforkids.org
Porchlight Autism Education Series The Facilities PACE
Organization
www.porchlighteducation.org
WHAT IS PORCHLIGHT? The Porchlight Education Series is a free eLearning program with over 50 Modules designed to offer behavioral solutions to common daily challenges parents or caregivers may confront in the world of developmental disabilities. Each module is a short 3-15 minute demonstration course, created by highly trained staff, including Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Each module gives parents theory, hands-on instructions, and specific examples of behavior modifications they can make in their own homes to help their child living with a developmental disability. Children with autism very often have deficits in language, social, and behavioral development. These modules can help you teach your child to develop life skills. Where can you begin to gather the resources necessary to teach your child? Porchlight Education Series will give you some ideas on how to embark on this journey. SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM Porchlight is a project of the Pacific Autism Center for Education and was originally made possible with a grant from the United Way Silicon Valley. Currently, we rely on donations and grants to fund future Porchlight developments.
www.porchlighteducation.org
Porchlight University Series The Facilities PACE
Organization
www.porchlighteducation.org
WHAT IS PORCHLIGHT UNIVERSITY? Porchlight University is a four-course eLearning series developed by the Pacific Autism Center for Education. The program is designed for general education teachers and paraeducators who work with elementary- and middle-school-age students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in their mainstream classroom. Recognizing the limited training many general education teachers and paraeducators receive on ASD, the program will equip general education teachers and paraeducators with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure that students of all abilities are successful in the classroom. The strategies, tools, and resources can be applied to online distance learning. Porchlight University is self-paced and designed with an educator’s busy schedule in mind. Each course consists of four 15-minute lessons, totaling an hour of learning. Courses include interactive activities and visuals to increase learning real world scenarios to help teachers apply the knowledge, tools, and strategies quickly in their classroom.
SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM Porchlight is a project of the Pacific Autism Center for Education and was made possible with grants from Autism Speaks, Heffernan Foundation, and NBCUniversal. We rely on donations and grants to fund future Porchlight University developments. To support our efforts, visit www.pacificautism.org/donate.
www.porchlighteducation.org
Support Our Mission
Together, we can do so much! We’re working to provide high-quality programs for individuals with autism and associated developmental disabilities in our community. While PACE receives fees for service from the California Department of Education and the Department of Developmental Services, your donation allows PACE to fulfill its mission of offering exceptional care for clients in all of our programs. PACE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our Tax EIN is 77-0259858. Gifts to PACE are tax-deductible as specified by current tax law.
Ways to support PACE: Make a secure online donation Donate online through secure online processing provided by iATS Payments, a leading payment processor service for nonprofits. Scan our QR code or visit www.pacificautism.org/donate Donate by mail to: PACE Development Department 1880 Pruneridge Avenue Santa Clara, CA 95050 To make a credit card donation by phone, please call 408.625.6193 during office hours M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST Leave a Legacy: One of the simplest ways to leave a lasting legacy benefiting PACE is to include language in your will or living trust naming PACE as a beneficiary. Donors interested in planned giving can contact our Development Department at development@pacificautism.org
Contact Us PACE Admin Offices PACE Pruneridge Campus 1880 Pruneridge Avenue Santa Clara, CA 95050 408.245.3400 info@pacificautism.org PACE San Aleso Campus 824 San Aleso Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085 408.625.6199 paceschool@pacificautism.org Sunny Days Preschool 897 Broadleaf Lane San Jose, CA 95128 408.625.6198 preschool@pacificautism.org Faces Behavioral Services Main: 650.622.9601 Intake: 408.785.0102 info@facesforkids.org Marketing and Development 408.625.6174 marketing@pacificautism.org development@pacificautism.org Volunteers volunteer@pacificautism.org Follow Us!
Request a Presentation Please let us know if your group would like to learn more about autism and the unique services that we provide. PACE staff can work with you to design an educational presentation for a variety of audiences. Feel free to contact us at: development@pacificautism.org.