North Dakota Autism Center Inc

HELP FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AFFECTED BY AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN CARE, THERAPY, INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT.

THE BEHAVIOR SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR OTHER BEHAVIOR-RELATED DISABILITIES. IN ADDITION, THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES FOCUSED ON HELPING CHILDREN ACHIEVE SUCCESS ACROSS A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY SETTINGS (I.E. HOME, SCHOOL, GROCERY STORE, CAR RIDES, BUS RIDES, DOCTOR'S OFFICE, DENTIST'S OFFICE, ETC.). ALL BEHAVIOR SERVICES PROGRAMS ARE SUPERVISED BY A LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST (LABA). THE BEHAVIOR SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED 34,641 HOURS OF SERVICE WHICH IS A 12% INCREASE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. THE TEAM PROVIDED SERVICE TO 86 CLIENTS THROUGH EITHER INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT AT THE NDAC OR THROUGH CONTRACT SERVICES WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE AREA. THE INCREASE IN HOURS IS A RESULT OF RECOVERING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE BEHAVIOR SERVICES PROGRAM HAD AN INCREASE IN SERVICE HOURS IN 2021 AND CONTINUES TO GROW AND DEVELOP THE PROGRAM. BCBAS TOOK ON NEW CHALLENGES BY PROVIDING SERVICES AT A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER AND ALSO OFFERED THEIR SERVICES AND EXPERTISE TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT IN MN. TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, THE BEHAVIOR PROGRAM TOOK ON THE NDAC CLUBHOUSE PROVIDING SOCIAL SKILLS THERAPY TO SOME OF THE YOUNGER CLIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER EARLY EDUCATION. THIS PROGRAM ALSO OFFERED ITS SERVICES TO OUR DAYCARE PROVIDING BEHAVIOR SUPPORT IN THE CLASSROOMS IN NEED. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN TOTAL CLIENTS SERVED IN 2021. TWO EVENTS AIDED IN THE INCREASE. ONE WAS DUE TO PROVIDING TELEHEALTH SERVICES OUTSIDE OF THE CLINIC SETTING AND FM AREA. THE OTHER EVENT WAS ADDING ONE LBA IN AUGUST. THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS THE TEAM CAN SERVE IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE NUMBER OF LBA'S ON STAFF. THERE IS STILL A SHORTAGE OF LBAS IN ND. THE TEAM STARTED THE YEAR WITH SIX LBA'S AND ENDED WITH SEVEN. THE NDAC PROVIDES THE REQUIRED SUPERVISION TO EMPLOYEES SEEKING TO BECOME LBAS TO GROW THE TEAM. 59% PERCENT OF THE HOURS OF SERVICE PROVIDED WERE COVERED BY PRIVATE INSURANCE; 16% WERE COVERED BY ND MEDICAID; 10% WERE COVERED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE OTHER 15% WERE COVERED BY THE AUTISM WAIVER, THE DD WAIVER, & PRIVATE PAY. PROVIDING SERVICE FOR CLIENTS COVERED BY ND MEDICAID IS A FINANCIAL CHALLENGE BECAUSE THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IS ONLY 44% OF THE PRIVATE INSURANCE RATE. WE CONTINUE TO SEE A SHIFT OF PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES ADDING ABA AS A COVERED BENEFIT. NDAC TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN PROVIDING SERVICE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF THE FUNDING SOURCE. THE NDAC'S LBAS HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THE BCBS ND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGER TO STREAMLINE THE AUTHORIZATION OF SERVICES PROCESS.

THE IN-HOME SUPPORT PROGRAM (IHS) IS A SERVICE THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WAIVER OF ND. THE IHS PROGRAM PROVIDES BENEFITS THE PRIMARY CAREGIVER BY ASSISTING THE INDIVIDUAL IN ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING. IF NO OTHER NATURAL SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE/ THE PROGRAM MAY ALSO INCLUDE ASSISTING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH MAINTAINING HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY WHILE THE PRIMARY CAREGIVER IS HOME AND ATTENDING TO OTHER HOUSEHOLD TASKS OR CHILDREN. IHS CAN BE PROVIDED TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHILE THE PRIMARY CARETAKER IS HOME OR AWAY FROM HOME BUT IS UNAVAILABLE TO CARE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS PROGRAM IS ALSO REQUIRED TO RENEW ITS STATE LICENSURE EVERY YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETING THIS PROCESS AUGUST 2022. IHS PROVIDED 23,532 HOURS OF SERVICE FOR 55 CONSUMERS IN 2021. THIS IS AN 28.78% DECREASE IN HOURS PROVIDED AND A 25.68% DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS SERVED COMPARED TO 2020.THE PERCENT DECREASE IN BOTH HOURS AND CONSUMERS SERVED ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ALONG WITH CONSUMERS MOVING OUT OF STATE OR INTO RESIDENTIAL CARE.THE PROGRAM SECURED 4 INTERNS WHO EACH COMPLETED A ONE SEMESTER INTERNSHIP. THE TEAM IMPLEMENTED A BASIC ASSURANCE PLAN REQUIRE BY THE COUNCIL ON QUALITY AND LEADERSHIP WHICH IS THE ACCREDITATION BODY IN NORTH DAKOTA THAT ENSURES PROVIDERS ARE PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SERVICES. IHS WILL COMPLETED THE FIRST PART OF THEIR CURRENT ACCREDITATION IN JULY 2022 AND WILL FINISH THE PROCESS IN AUGUST 2022. THE TEAM HELD QUARTERLY MEETINGS OF THE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT TEACH WHICH CONSISTS OF NDAC STAFF, A DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSPS), A PARENT OF A CONSUMER AND A MEMBER OF THE NDAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THIS TEAM REVIEWS POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PERFORMS DESK AUDITS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE THE NDAC PROVIDES. DURING 2021, IHS COORDINATED WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE REC AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY FOR CONSUMERS. THE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS SHIFTED FROM INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS TO AN AGENCY-WIDE FOCUS.

THE PUZZLE PLACE PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE CENTER(CENTER) IS A LICENSED ALL INCLUSIVE CHILDCARE CENTER PROVIDING CARE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THE CHILD(REN) WITH A CLEAN SAFE, COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN PLAY AND LEARN WITH GUIDANCE, LOVING CARE AND SUPPORT. THE CENTER HAS EXPERIENCED AND WELL-TRAINED STAFF THAT ARE COMMITTED TO THE GOALS OF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND ENRICHING THE SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, CREATIVE, AND INTELLECTUAL EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND NEEDS. THE CENTER HAS 59 DAYCARE SLOTS CAPACITY. THE CENTER PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 65,104.80 HOURS OF SERVICE TO 51 DIFFERENT FAMILIES IN 2021. THE PUZZLE PLACE PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE CENTER DISCOUNTED SERVICES IN OCTOBER 2021.

SAFETY JACKET - SAFETY JACKET PROGRAM IS A FARGO MOORHEAD WEST FARGO (FMWF) CHAMBER LEADERSHIP PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTH DAKOTA AUTISM CENTER, INC., CASS AND CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICES', FARGO, WEST FARGO AND MOORHEAD POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM TO LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS. THIS IS A FREE VOLUNTARY PROGRAM FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONE IN CASE OF A POSSIBLE EMERGENCY SITUATION. IT IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE FIRST RESPONDERS, SUCH AS POLICE OFFICERS, PARAMEDICS, FIRE DEPARTMENT, ETC. DURING ENCOUNTERS WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES COMMUNICATION AND GIVES FIRST RESPONDERS QUICK ACCESS TO CRITICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR NEEDS DURING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION INVOLVING THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FIRST RESPONDERS WITH EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION, DETAILED PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS, KNOWN ROUTINES, COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES, FAVORITE ATTRACTIONS OR OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE INDIVIDUAL. SAFETY JACKET HAS 22 APPLICANTS IS 2021.AUTISM FRIENDLY COMMUNITY PROJECT - NDAC IS WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES/ORGANIZATIONS TO BECOME MORE AUTISM FRIENDLY THROUGH AUTISM TRAINING. NDAC PROVIDES THE TRAINING THAT INCLUDES FACTS ABOUT AUTISM, SIGNS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTISM AND TOOLS FOR THE COMPANY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. AS A RESULT OF THIS EDUCATIONAL TRAINING, NDAC HELPS TO CREATE A MORE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORT THOSE WHO NEED IT WHEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE ISOLATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE NDAC WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS. NDAC IS STRIVING TO CREATE A FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY AUTISM ARE EXPERIENCING A GREAT LIFE WITH THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILIES, NEIGHBORS, AND OTHERS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 13 AFC PARTNERS IN 2021. WITH THESE PARTNERSHIPS, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASED NUMBER OF COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES OFFERING SENSORY FRIENDLY TIMES AND ACCOMMODATIONS.IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE NORTH DAKOTA AUTISM CENTER, INC. (NDAC) HAS CREATED THE ENRICHMENT CENTER. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES WILL FEEL WELCOME, SAFE, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO BUILD THEIR CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE NDAC ENRICHMENT CENTER IS A FREE PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR CAREGIVER (I.E. PARENT, DSP, NANNY ETC.) TO PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS ARTS & CRAFTS, COOKING CLASS, DANCING, MUSIC, EXERCISE, GAMES, CELEBRATIONS, COMMUNITY OUTINGS AND MUCH MORE. IN ADDITION, IT WILL PROVIDE A PLACE FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS OF ALL ABILITIES TO SOCIALIZE, MAKE FRIENDS AND MAKE CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE, SUPPORTIVE, FUN, ENGAGING, AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR SKILL BUILDING, SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT, AND LEISURE. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 102 ENRICHMENT CENTER ACTIVITIES IN 2021.