Early Childhood Autism Program 4th Annual Auction for Autism Awareness

Recent estimates reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) suggest one in every 50 people in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, making this a very real issue that many families may face. Bay County families are no different, and a local non-profit organization, the FSU Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) is doing their part to make a difference in the local autism community.

During the National Autism Awareness month of April, ECAP is seeking to raise funds to assist local families in need of autism services. ECAP, in conjunction with the Emerald Coast Association for Behavior Analysis, will host the 4th Annual Auction for Autism Awareness from 6-8 p.m. CDT Friday, April 11, 2014, in the Holley Academic Center Lecture Hall at FSU Panama City. Admission to the Auction is $20 at the door, which includes food, refreshments and raffle tickets for the auction. The event is family-friendly, and all proceeds benefit FSU ECAP’s Scholarship Program, which provides funding to families in need of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services who do not have insurance or financial means to afford this much needed behavioral therapy. 

“Over the past three years, we have raised $10,000 for our scholarship program, and we are extremely grateful for our community’s continued support in helping our local children. It is unbelievable that we are now in our fourth year of holding this event,” said Amy Polick, Ph.D., ECAP director and psychology faculty at FSU Panama City. “Our program serves about 30 families affected by autism, and all funds raised by this event go directly to benefit these local families. Our goal this year is to raise $7,000, which would provide more than 350 hours of therapy for local children with autism.”

Attendees to the event will also be able to ask questions and gain information about autism services in the Bay County and surrounding areas.

For more information about the event, email Polick at apolick@pc.fsu.edu or call (850) 770-2252. For more information about ECAP, visit pc.fsu.edu.