THE MANHATTAN CHILDRENS CENTER RECEIVES ALLISON KELLER EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY GRANT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Manhattan Childrens Center
Ellaine Day, Development Coordinator eday@manhattanchildrenscenter.org
212.749.4604 x 347
THE MANHATTAN CHILDRENS CENTER RECEIVES ALLISON KELLER EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY GRANT FROM DOUG FLUTIE, JR. FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM FOR $7,126.
New York, NY (October 23, 2019) – The Manhattan Childrens Center is pleased to announce it has received a $7,126 grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. These funds will support the technology, materials and training needed to implement a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program for children with autism spectrum disorder at MCC. The program will allow the students at MCC to receive individual and small group instruction, where they will engage in hands-on activities and explore the components of a STEM curriculum. Instructional materials, such as coding games, building blocks, robot toys, iPads and Chromebooks will be held on a mobile cart unit making them accessible across MCC’s classrooms and two buildings. The STEM program aims to facilitate students’ social and communication skills, increase their connection to math and science, and enhance their employability. Expanding curriculum and programming in this innovative field furthers MCC’s mission to educate children and adolescents with ASD.
“We are grateful to the Allison Keller Education Technology Program Grant and the Doug Flutie Jr Foundation for Autism for the investment in expanding the STEM experiences of our students,” says Thomas Gelb, Co-Founder of The Manhattan Childrens Center. “Through this funding, we will be able to provide hands-on activities that will make science, technology, engineering and math meaningful in the everyday lives of students with autism and related disabilities. By providing these opportunities, we will be able to provide our students with experiences that can increase employment and career opportunities in a technology driven world.”
“The Flutie Foundation Allison Keller Education Technology Grants help our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community,” says Nick Savarse, Executive Director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. “Programs like The Manhattan Childrens Center, are helping people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts.”
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, based in Framingham, MA, awards grants annually through a competitive application and review process. The Allison Keller Education Technology grants that the Flutie Foundation distributes each year help to support family-focused programs in three key areas: promoting active lifestyles, improving access to services, and enhancing the independence of adults with autism.
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About The Manhattan Childrens Center
The Manhattan Childrens Center is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) private school for children – ages 5 to 21 – with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MCC offers a transdisciplinary approach in which all areas of each student’s needs are addressed in MCC’s topnotch teaching model whose philosophical underpinnings are rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA). The MCC model is distinguished by an unparalleled level of individualized treatment and education, which extends beyond the classroom and into the home setting through meaningful collaboration between parents, siblings, therapists, teachers, babysitters and all other members of a student’s life. For more information on The Manhattan Childrens Center, visit betasite.manhattanchildrenscenter.org.
About the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism
The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism (DFJFA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation helping families affected by autism live life to the fullest. Through programs and partnerships, DFJF helps people with autism get access to care; lead more active lifestyles; and grow toward adult independence. NFL Quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife Laurie, whose personal experience raising a son on the autism spectrum inspired their passion to help other families, established the Foundation in 1998. DFJFA primarily serves families throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, and Central Florida. For more information on The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, visit www.flutiefoundation.org.