|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Tony DeLuca |
|
DeLuca announces autism mini-grants available
Applications due by April 18
HARRISBURG, March 6 – State Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, announced that applications are available for mini-grants to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, and the applications must be submitted by to the state Department of Public Welfare by April 18.
DeLuca said the mini-grants are available to people and families with a member who has ASD who cannot access existing support systems. Applicants may receive a maximum of $500 in mini-grants, but the grants only will be offered once and can only be used for activities or services occurring between March 1 and Aug. 31.
DeLuca, chairman of the House Insurance Committee, said he is a staunch supporter of state programs that provide services to children and adults who suffer from ASD.
Last year, DeLuca co-sponsored and voted for legislation (H.B. 1150) which would require insurance companies in Pennsylvania to cover autism services. The bill passed the House last July and is in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The legislation was introduced by House Speaker Dennis O'Brien.
"With the cost of medical treatment and services increasing for individuals with ASD, it's only right that people apply for this type of grant, but they should apply soon because the deadline is April 18," DeLuca said.
The funds are being made possible through the Bureau of Autism Services within the state Department of Public Welfare. Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents, have ASD or a family member that does, and cannot be employees or contractors of the bureau. Applicants also cannot currently or in the past 12 months have received any other family support services.
The Allegheny County lawmaker said applications can be found on the bureau's Web site, www.autisminpa.org. Residents can also call toll-free 1-866-497-6898 or e-mail
c-jasands@state.pa.us to receive an application by mail.
Applications should be sent to: Attn: F&I Mini-Grant, Bureau of Autism Services, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675.
###rrc/2008/bt l:\print\releases\autismgrants.032