The “Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More” Grant
This grant honors the groundbreaking work of Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected co-founder, Meg Kolaya, for her contributions in promoting inclusion, connecting libraries with the autism community, and bringing awareness of the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families to the library community.
Grant Description
Each year, a total of $5,000.00 will be awarded. Depending on the applications received, one grant for the full amount or multiple grants for smaller amounts totaling $5,000.00 may be awarded. All types of libraries, either in the United States or Canada, are encouraged to apply and proposals can fund projects and services directed to any age group. Applicants may propose to initiate a new, creative program or service, bring an established, successful program or service to their library for the first time, or enhance a program or service that they currently offer. All proposed projects must benefit people with autism or their families, directly or indirectly. Funds may be used to hire a trainer to present a workshop, buy program materials, pay for staff, etc.
Dates
Applications will be accepted starting September 1, 2017.
The application deadline is December 1, 2017.
The winning applicant(s) will be notified by March 1, 2018.
The grant funding period is from April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019.
Criteria for Selection
- The project is clearly described and well thought out.
- The potential impact is significant.
- There is institutional support for the program or service.
- People with autism, family members or other community stakeholders are involved in the development and/or implementation of the project.
- The program is one that would be replicable in other communities.
- The program or service is based on an understanding of the needs of people with autism and/or best practices in working with this population.
- There is a plan for the continuation of the service or program after the grant year.
- The project would not be possible without outside funding.
Grant Forms
The following 2018 grant form can be downloaded here:
- The Grant Application – All questions must be answered, unless they are marked “optional”.
- The Grant Sample Budget Sheet
- The Grant Report Guidelines
Applications, budget sheets, institutional letters of support and other supporting documentation must be submitted as email attachments to: grant@librariesandautism.org
Libraries Taking on Autism: A Movement for Collaborative Solutions
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- Tina Dolcetti, Children’s Librarian, Moose Jaw Public Library
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- Dan Weiss, Director, Fanwood Public Library
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- Suzanne Schriar, PI, Targeting Autism, Illinois State Library
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- Barbara Klipper, author, former librarian, creator, Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More
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- Carrie Banks (Moderator), Director, Inclusive Services, Brooklyn Public Library
For those who will be attending the American Library Association (ALA) Conference in Chicago, consider attending a panel discussion entitled, Libraries Taking on Autism: A Movement for Collaborative Solutions on Saturday, June 24th, 8:30-10:00am, McCormick Place, W175a.
Program description:
Targeting Autism brought Illinois librarians, people with autism and autism experts to the Illinois State Library to learn, share ideas and plan for new projects. Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected provides training and a national clearinghouse. The Autism Welcome Here grant funds library programs or services aimed at people with autism. Learn how to tap into the foundational work of these groundbreaking initiatives to better serve the people with autism in your community.
Panel members pictured above
2017 “Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More” Grant Winner Honored at Targeting Autism Forum
Wisner Public Library was the 2017 winner of the “Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More” Grant. Representing the Wisner Library at the Targeting Autism Forum was YA Librarian, Dianne Aimone.
The Wisner Library will receive $5,000 for their project, “Improve Your Social Library: Social Skills for Tweens and Teens with Autism. The grant funds will be used to provide a series of workshops designed to support the development of social skills for teens and tweens with ASD. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the library, form a book group, enhance their social media etiquette, express themselves through art projects, play board games, take part in a group dance, and more. The program has three primary goals: introduce and encourage social skills that teens and tweens can apply in the library and beyond; provide those on the spectrum and their families a safe and familiar place in the community; demonstrate respect for neurodiversity and inclusion.
Barbara Klipper, creator of the grant program was delighted at this year’s pick.”…Their parent-initiated proposal was well-written, is easily replicable and serves an often overlooked subgroup of the ASD population…”
2017 Targeting Autism Forum — A Huge Success!
The 2017 Targeting Autism Forum, held on May 11-12 was educational and offered a group of library staff, autism and other disabilities service providers, teachers and therapists from Illinois, as well as, nationwide and Canada, an opportunity to network with over 80 “like minded” people who share their vision of a world that is inclusive of autism and other hidden disabilities. While the forum included a variety of topics pertaining to all ages, many of our speakers and panels addressed the issue employment and support for individuals who are transitioning out of high school.
The following includes photos from the forum. All sessions were recorded and are available on the Targeting Autism YouTube Channel. Links to individual presentations are highlighted below:
Michael John Carley — author of Asperger’s From the Inside Out and Unemployed on the Autism Spectrum. Carley was also the founder and first Executive Director of GRASP an former Executive Director of ASTEP. Click here to view presentation, Part I and Part II.
Employed and on the Spectrum — A panel discussion with Philip Zupon, Librarian, Ionia Correctional Facility; Dan O’Hara, Librarian, Midlothian Public Library; Ata Bird, Teacher/BCaBA, Champaign, IL; Tina Dolcetti, Librarian, Moose Jaw Public Library. Moderated by Russ Bonanno, The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP). Click here to view the presentation, Part I and Part II.
The Role of Relationships in Successful Adulting with ASD. Brian R. King, author of Strategies for Building Successful Relationships with People on the Autism Spectrum. Click here to view the presentation.
Sparking Creative Expression for Adults on the Spectrum and Ideas for Libraries. An engaging presentation about the path to creative writing, publishing and the special difficulties that creative people on the spectrum face and how libraries can support them. Colin Eldred-Cohen, author of children’s book, The Fire Truck Who Got Lost and Anlor Davin, author of Being Seen. Click here to view the presentation Part I and Part II.
5 Essentials for Engineering the Library Environment to Meet the Needs of the Autism Community. Linda Hodgdon, author of Visual Strategies For Improving Communication, autism consultant, referred to as “The Queen of Visuals,” shares how a few easy accommodations can provide significant opportunity for patrons to benefit from libraries. Click here to view the presentation.
Inclusion in the Library: Making it Real presented by Carrie Banks, Director, Brooklyn Public Library’s Inclusive Services and author of Including Families of Children with Special Needs. Click here to view presentation, Part I and Part II.
Exploring Library Services for Underserved Populations. Debra Vines, Founder & Executive Director of The Answer, Inc., along with Keisha Hester and Katrina Thompson explore the impact of autism in communities of color and the important charge for libraries to engage all members of their community. Click here to view presentation.
Tu Y Yo’s Dream Libraries. Tu Y Yo is Grupo Salto’s peer mentorship group for adolescents and adult autism self-advocates serving the Chicagoland area. The group name Tu Y Yo is the Spanish phrase for “you and I’ which expresses connection to the Spanish speaking cultures many of the participants come from. Their panel shares ideas to make libraries more inclusive learning environments. Click here to view the presentation.
Libraries Providing Work Experiences for Those on the Spectrum — A Report by Magi Henderson, Glen Carbon Centennial Library and Janet McAllister, Rochester Public Library. Click here to view the presentation.
Library Departments Working Together Toward Inclusion — A Report by Beth Paoli, Literacy Consultant, IL State Library, and Debra Aggertt, Associate Director for Library Development, IL State Library. Click here to view the presentation.
Deadline to Register for the Targeting Autism Forum is April 7th!
There are still some openings to attend the Targeting Autism Forum, May 11-12th at the Illinois State Library, but we are quickly reaching our attendance limit. The complete agenda is available here:
2017 Targeting Autism Forum agenda final
If you are interested in attending, please send an email to Suzanne Schriar with a brief statement about what you hope to gain from the forum.
If you are unable to attend, all forum sessions will be recorded and archived for viewing after the event.
targetingautismlibs.com 