NEXT FOR AUTISM INC

Next for autism fellows - in 2023, next launched a national scholarship program for students and professionals interested in working with autistic and neurodivergent adults. The program provides financial scholarships to qualified students while also ensuring new dsps enter the workplace to support autistic adults. In 2024, next provided grants to 23 fellows across three locations. The fellows dedicated 10,790 hours to the direct support professional (dsp) workforce, strengthening the capacity of agencies while gaining hands-on experience in neuroaffirming support.

Next connects is a bi-directional mentorship program connecting adults with autism transitioning into employment to established professionals looking to build more inclusive workplaces. The program provides guidelines, structure, and expectations while facilitating critical dei conversations via interactive elearning modules. The training is supplemented by ready to use resources that are available free of charge to anyone who visits our website. In 2024, a digitized version of next connects was launched and 190 aspiring and established professionals across the nation were connected.next for dei provides companies with the tools and resources they need to be neuroinclusive by promoting the measurement and reporting of disability employment data, and encouraging all companies to commit to progress to transform the landscape and promote inclusivity for people with disabilities. In 2024, next published 8 actionable resources provided for free to support companies in building neuroinclusiove workplaces. Next for dsps: next for dsp, is 4 part elearning curriculum that enhances mandatory compliance training by providing skill-based education that empowers dsps to prioritize the health and safety of those under their care while fostering lifelong growth. Supplementing the lessons are downloadable tools (i.e., menus, communication boards, etc.) that dsps can utilize to put the lessons into action. The program is currently being implemented at the arc westchester in ny and woodhaven in mo.