CARD 2000-2001 Annual Report

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Jim Casper working on his
friendship goal

Partnerships for Effective Programs

The Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism completed its third year. Funded by DOE’s Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services, the program is designed to offer training and technical assistance to teachers who wish to enhance the educational program, for students with autism, in general or special education programs.
Each teacher is matched with a CARD professional who mentors them in developing a plan for implementing innovative and effective practices in the classroom. CARD partners provide support, resources, technical assistance, and training that is specific to the teacher’s identified needs. The CARD partner and participating teacher meet regularly and work together in the achievement of goals.

Teachers, in exchange, document the outcomes achieved within the partnership through the development of a professional portfolio or program evaluation.
Each of the CARD centers at USF, UF at Gainesville, UM, UCF, and UF at Jacksonville participated.

Autism Awareness a Great Success

In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, CARD-USF sponsored a variety of activities to help the community participate, throughout the month of April. The response from the community, who helped make this year’s Autism Awareness a huge success, was overwhelming. Parents, college students, teachers, school administrators, therapists, and DARES staff participated in the events.

Visit a Classroom. CARD staff and volunteers visited classrooms throughout the catchment area and read stories about autism to the children.

Awareness Packets. CARD provided Autism Awareness packets to teachers. The packets were so popular that CARD received phone calls from teachers as far away as Washington state asking if they could receive a packet.

Community Information Tables. Volunteers staffed information tables and gave away autism awareness ribbons, literature, magnets, pens and talked with people about autism. Tables were set up at Treasure Coast Mall in Jensen Beach; Publix stores in Stuart, Riverview, and North Tampa; Early Intervention Screening for Pasco County Schools; Horizon Academy in Tampa; Sarasota Children’s Festival at Roberts Sports Arena; USF Bookstore; and Wesley Chapel High School.

CARD was invited to two events. On April 18th, Suzan Fine and staff at Maniscalco Elementary hosted a luncheon for families, teachers, and the community that showcased students with autism. All the excitement made the front page of the Tampa Tribune!!

CARD staff and friends at Paint Your Heart Out Tampa Bay!

Shelly Cedola-Hayes and students at Dale Mabry Elementary hosted a delicious breakfast for parents and teachers on April 26th.

While all of these projects kept CARD busy during April, CARD staff and friends added one more event to make April a memorable month. Frank Roder coordinated efforts to sponsor a house for the Paint Your Heart Out Tampa Bay!! with a crew from CARD.