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The Davis Family Foundation recently awarded Spurwink Services a $10,000 grant in support of its Social Media Outreach Project. This innovative project is designed to enhance Spurwink’s capacity to address the needs of those dealing with autism and other behavioral health issues by combining the knowledge of its in-house experts with the power of the Internet to create and disseminate new products and services in digital formats.
Internet searching has become a primary method of obtaining information about health care. It presents exciting new possibilities for helping families overcome isolation and achieve 24/7 access to information and supports.
"Families of those with autism often feel isolated by the day-to-day challenges they face," said Sonia Garcia, MBA, Ph.D., Spurwink's Director of Clinical Business Development. "They may encounter time, financial or geographic barriers in attempting to acquire the information, skills and supports they need. Or they may be overwhelmed and confused by the rapidly growing and changing body of knowledge about autism, its causes and treatment."
Spurwink's Social Media Outreach Project was designed to harness new technologies to reach and serve more families across the state. The project has two primary goals: to increase access to information, training and resources related to the care of children with autism; and to create a virtual community for caregivers, enabling the sharing of ideas and support.
Dr. Garcia asserts that social media can help keep families informed about existing services, emerging diagnostic and treatment tools, ways to help their children thrive at home and elsewhere, and ways to connect with other families facing similar challenges. She also points out that teachers, guidance counselors, educational consultants and other professionals working with families need access to credible information and community resources to support their efforts.
Over the long-term, Spurwink plans to create a large, self-sustaining library of resources that has a demonstrated impact on the knowledge, techniques and strategies that people in Maine use to care for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. This library will evolve over time and topics will broaden to engage and serve other populations of mental health consumers and caregivers.
To follow this project online visit www.davisfamilyfoundationgrant.blogspot.com
Contact:
Spurwink Services
899 Riverside Street
Portland, Maine 04103
207-871-1200
1-888-889-3903
info@spurwink.org
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