Basic Need Fund
Due to your generosity, the Autism Society Inland Empire has provided food to over 1100 people and distributed almost 225,000 masks in our local community.
The Autism Society Inland Empire started an Emergency Basic Need fund to distribute food and masks to our most vulnerable families in a safe and effective manner.
COVID-19 affects all families. The stress and anxiety for Californians in general including the loss of income, frustration with schooling at home, and the fear of getting sick. However, individuals and families with loved ones with autism or other developmental disorders frequently have additional stressors in the household including:
- an increase of significant behaviors
- the inability to follow safety protocols
- individuals who because of medical, sensory or behavioral needs can not access generic services like school lunches or food banks
- the closing of medically necessary therapies and the decrease in crucial in-home support services such as IHSS, supported living
services and those services that require direct support assistance. - Additionally, individuals with ID/DD are at a higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19 compared to the
average Californian
Addressing Food Insecurity
With the help of generous donors, the Autism Society has provided grocery gift cards and meals to our most vulnerable families. We continue to take donations to help these families in their time of need.
Drive Thru Resource Events
The Autism Society Inland Empire’s Drive-thru Resource Events have helped over 1200 Families in the Inland Empire with masks and the LISTOS Disaster Ready Guide. With the help of our community partners, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the California Department of Developmental Services, regular Drive-thru resource events are hosted for residents in immediate crisis who are struggling with finding necessary masks and PPE to remain safe during these times.
Access to Technology
The Autism Society Inland Empire is also working with local and state agencies to determine how to best help families who do not have technology to access services. Access to tablets, laptops and the internet affects approximately 1/3 of our adult population and 1/4 of our families with children. This lack of access leads to more isolation, loneliness, and the inability to receive services and healthcare.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
