Grants Given To Citrus Park Organizations Who Help Autistic Children

A Westchase-based foundation gave more than $11,000 in grant money to two Citrus Park-based behavioral therapy providers.

"We gave out a total of $11,300 in grant money," said Kimmie Fine, president of Jacbo's Touch Foundation.

Jacob’s Touch is a nonprofit community based organization in the Tampa
Bay area dedicated to providing care to families with children on the Autistic
Spectrum. It serves as a resource and also provides care through referral services, grants for therapy and medical services, and education.

Fine's son, Jacob, was diagnosed with autism in 2006 when he was 2 years old. She launched the organization shortly after. The organization hosts an annual fundraiser every year in April (National Autism Awareness Month) and others throughout the year.

This is the first time Jacob's Touch has awarded grants.

The grants were awarded to Engage Behavioral Health, located at 6543 Gunn Highway in Tampa, and Independent Living, located at 6508 Gunn Highway in Tampa.

Both provide Applied Behavior Analysis and Applied Verbal Behavior services to people on the Autism Spectrum.

The Jacob's Touch grants will pay for services for three children provided by these organizations.

"We actually have two children that are clients of ours who will received monies from Jacob's Touch," said Susan Bonifield, operations manager for Engage Behavioral Health. "It's a very good thing that Jacob's Touch is working with the community to provide services for children with autism that don't have the funds to pay for them out of pocket."

Jacob's Touch Foundation's board of directors and grant selection committee chose the organizations to receive grants.

"I am so proud to be a member of this committee for the Jacob’s Touch Foundation. Due to large financial costs and minimal insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder therapies, there are many more families in need in our area," said grant selection committee member Lisa Bigelow. "The goal of
the grant selection committee is to double the grant awards in 2013."

Jacob's Touch board member Chris Swink added, "I am thrilled and
honored to be a part of this momentous occasion. With these first grants,
we are establishing Jacob’s Touch Foundation as a leader in helping
Tampa Bay area families of children on the Autistic Spectrum find the
financial, and referral assistance they need."

The next round of grants will be given out Spring 2013.

"Our hope is to award to even more families at that time," Fine said.

For more information about Jacob's Touch Foundation, visit the organization's website.