Happy Thanksgiving from Everyone at First Place!
First Place–Phoenix residents and staff celebrated early by giving their Thanksgiving turkey some Latin flavor. With delightful direction from Chef Titina (the always-welcome culinary expert), they cooked up turkey empanadas, cranberry sauce, and prepared a unique salad with a combo of carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pomegranate seeds and beets. It was an unexpected twist that made for a “yum-expected” holiday meal. Thank you, Chef Titina, for enlightening residents on your wondrous ways in the kitchen!
First Place Global Leadership Presentation at AUCD Conference
More than 1,100 people attended the recent annual Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference in Washington, D.C. Among them were three well-prepared and energized members of the First Place Global Leadership Institute (GLI): Chief Impact Officer Maureen Casey, Associate Director of Applied Research Toyosi Adesoye and Director of Employment & Community Inclusion Natasha Grant Holmberg.
Presenting to parents, policymakers and researchers, the trio discussed housing and community needs and preferences of adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (A/I/DD). They also shared results of the GLI’s seven housing market analyses to date, the supportive housing stipend and the Be Open + Be Ready℠ employment readiness program.
A panel discussion followed focused on building neuro-inclusive communities, renewable grants and other financial sources, job creation and empowerment of adults with A/I/DD in the job market.
Translational Research Consortium Building Momentum
Elaine Clarke, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at the LifeSPAN Autism Lab at Rutgers University, and Professor Vanessa H. Bal, principal investigator, are leading research for the First Place Global Leadership Institute’s Translational Research Consortium. The Consortium includes university faculty addressing issues involving adults with autism and related disabilities and their families.
Clarke and Bal’s study, “Understanding Housing and Community Outcomes for Adults with Developmental Conditions and their Families,” includes participants from First Place–Phoenix, 29 Acres in Texas, Independence Way in New Jersey and Chapel Haven Schleifer Center in Connecticut to gather qualitative and quantitative data on individual and family experiences. The goal of the research is to evaluate quality of life and outcomes of adults with autism and/or other intellectual/developmental disabilities who live in supportive, neuro-inclusive housing communities.
New Learn4Independence® Licensee
The First Place Transition Academy welcomes its 18th licensee, PerspectAbility, in Bentonville, Arkansas. Contact began in 2022, followed by attendance at several symposia and many meetings with the First Place team.
The Learn4Independence® curriculum, developed in collaboration with Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), is an essential part of this unique two-year residential program focused on daily living, health and employment for adults with autism.
PerspectAbility was formed by a group of dedicated parents of children with neurodiversities who believe in “research-based strategies, data collection, communication and accountability to ensure programming is effective and appropriate for the individual receiving it.”
Creighton Collaboration Continues
An essential part of living independently is staying healthy. First Place–Phoenix residents recently took part in fall check-ups with our friends at Creighton University School of Medicine and the Phoenix Fire Department. While nursing students checked vital signs, height and weight, firefighters administered flu and COVID vaccinations. What a great example of a community coming together to keep each other healthy!
It started as an ice breaker and ended with ice cream! Creighton’s Culinary Medicine Club and First Place–Phoenix residents got to know each other better during an interactive “speed friending” event encouraging the practice of social skills. Participating med students also got the chance to learn more about neurodiverse individuals. After getting the scoop on each other, everyone sat down and chilled with a bowl of their favorite flavor. Thanks to First Place staff for making both events a sweet success!