The Partnership for Effective Programs for Students with Autism is now in its third year and currently accepting applications for the 2001-2002 school year. Funded by the DOE’s Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services, the program is designed to offer training and technical assistance to teachers who wish to enhance the educational program for students with autism in a general or special education program.

Each teacher is matched with a CARD professional who will mentor them in developing a plan for implementing innovative and effective practices in the classroom. CARD partners provide support, resources, technical assistance, and training that is specific to the teacher's identified needs. The CARD partner and participating teacher meet regularly and work together in the achievement of goals. Teachers, in exchange, document the outcomes achieved within the partnership through the development of a professional portfolio or program evaluation.

Each of the CARD centers at USF, UF, UM, UCF, and UF at Jacksonville are participating, and this year’s teachers will be announced at CARD’s annual conference to be held in Orlando January 2000.

CARD is located with t he Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS), a division of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida. Since its inception in 1984, the Institute's mission has been to improve service delivery systems for children with serious emotional or behavioral disabilities and their families. For additional information on this project, contact Lise Fox at (813) 974-6100 or Donna Casella at (813) 974-6168.