Real Stories Collaboration Planning for Learning "I don't know what we would do without CARD… we consider them allies in our effort to help our children." In March, 1997, Sarasota County Public School Exceptional Student Education Department extended an invitation to CARD--;USF to review and discuss the needs of students with autism within the district. The district is currently serving many of its students with autism in a continuum of services program model at Fruitville Elementary and Oak Park Exceptional Center. District personnel recognized a need to further develop its program for students with autism, particularly at the secondary level and for students living in the southern part of the county. A desire to create a structure for the delivery of supports to these students was expressed. A steering committee composed of school personnel and family members was created at the start of the 1997-1998 school year with support from CARD--;USF. The purpose of the committee was to identify and address specific needs of students within the county. Since that time, CARD staff have been engaged in many activities in Sarasota County, in collaboration with school and family organizations. Cindy McKinnon, Program Specialist for Sarasota County Public Schools Exceptional Student Education Programs, said "The CARD Center at USF, particularly Mary Reed, has been of invaluable support and assistance to the Sarasota County Public School System regarding programs for students with autism. She is currently a member of the Autism Steering Committee, which meets monthly. She also provides school visits and technical assistance for individual students." Workshops and family information presentations also have been conducted in Sarasota County. Mary Waddell, president of the Manasota Autism Society and the parent of a son with autism, said "CARD has made a really big difference in how our organization is able to reach one of our major goals, to provide current information and training to families and professionals. The professionals from CARD have come to our meetings and have given us practical and useful information on subjects such as peer mediated social skills." Ms. Waddell further reports that CARD staff's personal experiences with individuals with autism enable them to relate to important questions and concerns, providing information that is readily usable by parents and professionals. "I don't know what we would do without CARD, we consider them our allies in our effort to help our children," she says. Ann Reynolds, a member of the Sarasota County Autism Steering Committee and a parent of a son with autism, summarized CARD's presence in Sarasota County by saying, "Information about autism is constantly changing. It's hard for school professionals to keep up with all the new information being released. CARD has the expertise and the knowledge to stay current with research and educational practice. The workshops and assistance which they provide help to keep us all informed. They have proven themselves to be an invaluable resource."