Autism Society of San Francisco Bay Area

Building a Stronger Bay Area Autism Community

Summer Webinar Series

Accessing Public Benefits, with Steve Dale

Archived. Watch the recording:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/362050895916656904
Stephen W. Dale, Esq., LL.M is a dedicated disability rights advocate and principal attorney of the Dale Law Firm, P.C. The firm is dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities with estate and special needs planning.
This webinar covers the basics of both needs-based programs (Supplemental Security Income, Medi-Cal, Cal Fresh, In Home Support Services) as well as entitlement programs (Supplemental Security Disability Insurance, Child Disability Benefits, Medicare). Steve will also discuss how wage, unearned income, and resources effect medical benefits and continuing entitlement to Social Security benefits and/or eligibility for the SSI program.

Regional Center Services During the Coronavirus Crisis: Recording

Our June 3 webinar featured Nancy Bargmann, Director of DDS and DDS staff to discuss regional center supports during this time.
Watch the recording here
Notes:
DDS coronavirus resources: https://www.dds.ca.gov/corona-virus-information-and-resources/

Email address to DDS for questions related to COVID-19: DDSC19@dds.ca.gov

Office of Clients Rights Advocates: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/what-we-do/programs/office-of-clients-rights-advocacy-ocra

Contact Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area: info@sfautismsociety.org

SFASA Calls For Statewide Autism Reporting Program

SFASA has written to the California Department of Public Health seeking the initiation of a statewide autism reporting program.
Autism rates in the state continue to skyrocket, yet the state lacks any meaningful way to report on these critical trends to the public or policymakers.
Read our letter here.

Autism Adulthood Checklist

Our popular all-in-one-place guide to the myriad legal, financial, and planning steps parents need to consider as their autistic/DD children age into adulthood.

Spanish version, En Español here
Vietnamese version here
Tagalog version, Sa Tagalog here
Chinese (Traditional) version here

Community Events

CORONAVIRUS
CALENDAR & RESOURCES
Webinars, online events, and links to resources

Spotlight On:
Shupin: Delivered!
The Shupin Social (e)Club takes fun during a pandemic to new and creative heights with Shupin: Delivered! This interactive virtual program offers socialization with creative hands-on activities. All-inclusive mystery boxes are delivered directly to participants’ homes. Unaware of what the exact activity will be, participants open their boxes together to reveal materials needed to complete arts, science, and culinary projects. Participants are guided through a step-by-step process to complete the activity while enjoying a unique experience and socializing with peers. Open to young adults, ages 21+ with developmental disabilities who need little to no support to participate.
Learn more at https://www.jfcs.org/find-help/people-with-disabilities/shupin-social-club/

Community Events Calendar

SFASA Pool Parties

Please find updates here

SUPPORT GROUPS

Looking to meet new friends or connect with other parents?
Check out our Support and Networking Groups page for online and in-person groups near you!

Conference Archives

The conference took place November 16, 2019 at Li Ka Shing Center, Stanford University. It aimed at the pragmatic informational needs of parents, caregivers and professionals who have the responsibility to support and help make plans for teens and adults with autism or related developmental disabilities, and featured more than 50 speakers, 450+ attendees, information tables and sponsor tables.
Please see our conference archives.

Civil Rights Project

A compilation of information regarding civil rights and criminal justice for autism/DD families.

SFASA Coronavirus Crisis Mini-Grant Program

The application period is closed and we are not accepting new applications at this time. Watch this space or sign up for our emails (below) for updates.

For Applicants: Grant recipients are chosen at random from qualifying applications at the close of an application period. You will be contacted if your name is provisionally selected to receive a grant.

Bay Area Autism Nonprofit Guide

We list dozens of nonprofits serving the Bay Area autism community.

Spring Webinar Series

ARCHIVED Thursday, January 30, 11am-noon
Amy Westling, Executive Director, ARCA, the Association of Regional Center Agencies
Regional Centers, State Policy, and Autism: an Update
While it seems that Sacramento is faraway, important decisions are made there that impact the real world for people with autism and their families. This training will cover the current status of California state policy and Budget issues as they relate to regional centers and the people they serve.
Watch the recording:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/7942491972615799809

ARCHIVED Thursday, February 6, 11am-noon
Steve Keisman, Senior Vice President, Identifor
The World’s 1st Game-Based, Career Assessment Tool Designed for Young Adults with ASD…and It’s Free!
For parents, students, therapists and teachers— improve the transition to employment process with the individualized information uncovered in the free online platform Identifor.com. In a lively presentation, hear about neurodiverse employment and ways to prepare your child successfully for life once the school bus stops coming from a father and 40-year veteran in the area of special needs, who is helping to move the needle in employment for people with ASD and other cognitive disabilities. Steve has presented at two SFASA conferences about Identifor and Abby, its artificial intelligence avatar that helps youth with ASD navigate their day.
Watch the recording:
attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5927882105964088578

ARCHIVED Thursday, February 27, 11am-noon
Mark Gilfix, attorney, Gilfix & LaPoll
Multigenerational Special Needs Planning
Integrated, multigenerational planning will help you provide for a vibrant legal and financial future for your loved one with autism. The webinar will cover core concepts to help you navigate the complex legal, financial, and long-term care issues as you work to optimize your special needs plan, including questions such as: Who will take care of my child financially? Legally? Where will he live? Who will pay for her therapy? How can I be sure the money will last?
Watch the video:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4728613987687717644