AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA INC

Affiliate services:the autism society services the affiliates daily by providing resources and guidance, delivering network-wide and affiliate specific training, providing lunch and learns and various development and networking opportunities, through development of an affiliate onboarding handbook to quickly and efficiently onboard new affiliate leaders, by conducting regular check-ins to see how best we can support our affiliates, through facilitating and overseeing grant opportunities, by coordinating, funding and delivering an annual affiliate conference, providing disaster relief support, coordinating special events and activities, and more. As a testament to the effectiveness of this initiative, affiliate leaders showed 90% agreement of the autism society's commitment, engagement and responsiveness to the affiliates. Specific accomplishments in 2024 include: 8,000 hours of direct support to affiliates. Attended 77 affiliate events throughout the year supported 12 affiliates in-person to address strategic objectives facilitated and led 25 meetings for the affiliate network related to updates and special-topic trainings. Provided a two-day intensive affiliate conference supporting neurodiversity, belonging, programming, advocacy, succession planning, and fundraising attended by over 200 affiliate representatives from 53 affiliates provided individualized trainings to 10 affiliates over 160 periodic affiliate check-ins.

Public policy: in 2024, the autism society of america prioritized advancing the reauthorization of the landmark autism-related legislation, the autism cares act. Additional legislative priorities included improving special education services, water and wandering safety, law enforcement training, mental health crisis response, and employment opportunities.throughout the year, the policy team met with approximately 100 members of congress and their staff over the course of 50 days throughout the year to educate them on the autism cares act and other priority legislation. In addition, we engaged with administration leaders on key regulations and guidance related to safety, education, and health.through our biweekly newsletter and regular meetings with our network of 70+ affiliates, the policy team kept constituents informed about policy issues and resources. Some of our advocates also attended the disability policy seminar in april. This eventco-sponsored by the autism society and seven other national organizationsbrought together more than 1,000 disability advocates from across the united states. Attendees participated in sessions covering a wide range of policy topics and used the knowledge gained to engage in both virtual and in-person meetings with legislators on capitol hill, effectively educating them about the needs of individuals with autism.the autism society also hosted a booth at the national conference of state legislatures in kentucky, providing an important opportunity to educate state legislators about the needs of the autism community.