The National Autism Registry Awarded $6,500 Grant from Autism License Plate Proceeds

Jupiter, FL (October 5, 2018) –The National Autism Registry has just received a $6,500 grant from Florida’s Autism Services Grants Council in support of Young Adults at Work: Transitioning to the Workplace, a program to help adults and teens with developmental disabilities learn a unique skill that will help them pursue a lifelong, purposeful experience.

The Autism Services Grants Council awarded a total of $99,600 in grants to 18 Florida-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and programs for individuals with Autism and related disabilities. All funds available through the grant program are generated through the sale of the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates.

“We’re so pleased to receive this grant, which will help us continue our training programs for teens and young adults,” said Valerie Herskowitz, founder of The National Autism Registry.  “Too often, young people with Autism and other developmental disabilities ‘graduate to the couch’ once they turn 21 and assistance becomes limited. We’re giving these young adults the knowledge they need to pursue a profession, and it’s pretty powerful to witness them take such pride in the incredible work they do.”

In 2009, the Florida Legislature authorized the “Support Autism Services” specialty license plate and provided for the creation of the Autism Services Grants Council. The Council oversees a grants process to fund service programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities and their families throughout the state. This year, more than 60 Florida nonprofits from across the state applied for grants, and priority was given to creative and innovative approaches to serving individuals with Autism and their families.

The National Autism Registry was founded in 1999 by Herskowitz, who is also the founder of The Chocolate Spectrum Chocolatier Training and Employment Program.

The Chocolate Spectrum trains program participants to make gourmet chocolates and pastries, as well as learning how to be café baristas. In some cases, graduates of the Adult Training Program are employed by The Chocolate Spectrum, a retail, wholesale and online store based in Jupiter, Florida. Currently, 25 students attend these training programs and the retail operation will employ five program graduates by the end of the summer.

The two primary training programs are:

 - The Teen Apprenticeship Program. Launched in November 2017, this program currently trains 16 teens in business skills, along with chocolate and pastry making.

- The Adult Apprenticeship Program.  This is an intensive six-month program for adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities that teaches students about chocolate production, baking and beverage preparation.  This direct instruction and apprenticeship program can lead to employment with The Chocolate Spectrum.

The Chocolate Spectrum’s gourmet chocolate is available online at thechocolatespectrum.com and at The Chocolate Spectrum Café and Academy, 6725 West Indiantown Road, Suite 38 in the Jupiter West Plaza at I-95 and Indiantown Road, Jupiter, Florida. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information, visit shop.thechocolatespectrum.com or call 954-980-0134. 

ABOUT THE AUTISM SERVICES GRANTS COUNCIL (“ASGC”)
In 2009, the Florida Legislature authorized the “Support Autism Services” specialty autism license plate and provided for the creation of the Autism Services Grants Council (“ASGC”) to oversee a grants process to fund service programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities and their families throughout the state.  All funds raised by the ASGC are generated by the sale of the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates.  For more information visit www.autismlicenseplate.com and “Like” us at facebook.com/AutismLicensePlate.