May 13, 2024

Thompson Foundation, ACE Program Receive Local Impact Grant

By Emily Morrison

The Thompson Foundation for Autism & Neurodevelopment was awarded the Autism Speaks 2023 Local Impact Grant. The funding will go towards funding the Thompson Center’s Accessing Career Experiences (ACE) program. This grant was awarded to 23 organizations from 13 states that serve the autism community.

What is ACE?

ACE is a nine-month post-secondary employment program that offers independence and employment skill development for individuals 18-30 years old with autism and an intellectual disability. Components of ACE are direct instruction led by a behavior analyst, on the job coaching, and resume and interview skill development. Jennifer DeLaporte, ACE program coordinator and behavior analyst at the Thompson Center, said that ACE is a passion project for her: “It’s a program that creates access to career experiences and an opportunity for individuals to gain skills that they are capable of with the support that they need.” This is ACE’s first year and Jennifer has hopes to continue to expand in the coming years.

ACE’s Impact on the First Cohort

When discussing the impact that the ACE program has had on the two participants, Jordan Mayes and Taylor Wainscott, Jennifer said, “I have really seen them grow in their confidence and be able to push themselves outside of their comfort zone.” Among other things, Jordan says the ACE program taught him “how to host a podcast, how to make a resume, a PowerPoint presentation, an email, and how to put things on a calendar.”

Jordan Mayes (left) and Jennifer DeLaporte (right) recording an episode of the Thompson Center’s podcast, *Supporting The Spectrum*.

Taylor Wainscott (right) interviews Matthew Leach (left) and his sister Miss Missouri 2023 Hayley Leach (center) about supporting siblings with autism for an episode of *Supporting The Spectrum.*

Not only did this program impact Jordan and Taylor, Jennifer also mentioned the impact the participants have had on the Thompson Center during their time working here. “We are an autism center and so I expect for us to be inclusive,” said Jennifer, “but to see that take place has been really amazing.” Working with Jordan and Taylor has helped the Thompson Center to be an even more inclusive workplace.

Local Impact Grant

The grant from Autism Speaks will allow the ACE program to purchase iPads that will be used to develop technology skills and implement video modeling to teach helpful skills. This semester, the grant provided a stipend for Jordan and Taylor for their work that they did at the Thompson Center as part of the ACE program. This grant was also used to fund pre- and post-assessments of ACE to monitor progress, as well as provide a budget for events and speakers for the program. And finally, this grant will be able to help any applicants who may need financial assistance to participate next year.

“Autism Speaks sought to fund programs that would ‘provide a measurable impact on the lives of those who participate.’ Being employed is a major factor in adult quality of life, and research estimates that only 10-50% of autistic adults are employed,” said Katie Lynn, former director of donor relations at the Thompson Foundation. “ACE allows individuals with both autism and intellectual disability to gain employment skills with specialized training to meet their needs and support their goals. Through ACE, participants will be well-equipped for competitive employment through hands-on training and direct skill instruction, which should improve their quality of life.”

Parents of ACE participants share their perspectives on the program’s impact at the spring 2024 Thompson Foundation board meeting.

Another Local Impact Grant Awarded in Columbia

Out of the 23 organizations across the U.S., two organizations in Columbia, Missouri were chosen to receive this grant from Autism Speaks. Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center was also a recipient. Cedar Creek has been providing equine therapy to children with autism for 36 years. “We have seen our riders improve cognitive functioning and reach goals that change the quality of their life,” said Karen Grindler, the executive director of Cedar Creek. “We are grateful to Autism Speaks for providing equestrian therapy for our riders in need.” With this grant Cedar Creek is able to provide scholarships to individuals with autism who do not have the funding available from other sources.

2024-2025 ACE Cohort

Congratulations to Jordan and Taylor, who graduated from ACE on Friday, May 10, 2024!

As the 2023-2024 ACE cohort celebrates completion of the program, applications are available for the cohort set to begin Fall 2024. Learn more about how to apply on the ACE webpage of the Thompson Center website.