CFS News Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Amanda Keating and Bobbie Vaughn Honored in Tallahassee for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award

The Florida Association of Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA) recently honored CFS faculty Amanda Keating and Bobbie Vaughn with Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Awards at a special reception in Tallahassee, Florida. The awards are presented yearly to FAVACA volunteers who have provided exemplary service to groups and organizations across the Caribbean and the Americas.

Amanda Keating (pink shirt) and Dr. Bobbie Vaughn (orange shirt) pose with members of the Jamaica Autism Support Association at 2007 conference.

Since 2006, Keating and Vaughn have travelled to Kingston, Jamaica to provide training and technical assistance in developmental disabilities for families and educators at a summer autism workshop (Keating will return this year), sponsored by FAVACA, the Kingston YMCA, and the Rotary Club of Kingston, Jamaica. They have also provided assistance to several parents, Gayle Cunningham and Kathy Chang, who co-founded the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA), which now has approximately 100 members and 40 Friends of JASA.

“Amanda and I believe the award really goes to people we have worked with in Jamaica, the Rotarians, educators, and the many dedicated families whose children have autism,” said Dr. Vaughn in her award acceptance speech. “The very small kernels of knowledge we leave each visit have grown exponentially through the autism efforts initiated by the community and families.”

During their visit to Tallahassee, Keating and Vaughn, had the opportunity to meet with state Legislators including Representatives Ed Homan, Bill Heller, Keith Fitzgerald, and Senators Victor Crist and Charlie Justice. They were recognized during the legislative session along with other FAVACA members and also received letters of appreciation from other state legislators.

"Being recognized by the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas for assisting with a seminar on children with autism is highly commendable," wrote Congressman Bill Young. "I understand you were the key organizers and presenters at this very information educational conference. It is very encouraging to know we have educators like you who are so concerned with educating teachers, caregivers, and the general public about children with autism."

"The need to educate our community and educators has become critical as the number of children with autism increases," wrote Congress Member Kathy Castor. ”I am pleased to know that you continue your efforts to educate and inspire the public for a better understanding."

Following the awards reception, Amanda Keating was interviewed by Tom Flannigan from the National Public Radio's program Capitol Report. “It is imperative that we recognize that autism is not a disability that discriminates based on ethnicity, socio-economic status, or geographical borders. It impacts families worldwide, and I believe it is our duty to assist professionals and parents to obtain the tools to provide effective interventions.”

CARD-USF is one of seven regional, university-based CARD centers in Florida. The Center is a community-based project that provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities.