WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to strengthen resources, support, and services for Rhode Islanders with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced $296,673 in federal funds to support initiatives that spread awareness about challenges faced by individuals with ASD and to expand programs that provide support and resources for people with autism, their families, and the community.

The federal funds will flow through the Department of Justice (DOJ) Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities. This program provides up to $150,000 per award to advance comprehensive initiatives that prevent wandering or elopement for individuals with forms of dementia or developmental disabilities and reduce associated dangers and potential injuries that stem from wandering or elopement.  

The Autism Project (TAP) will receive $149,994 for its work to increase awareness for first responders, families, and community members through specialized education on ASD and developmental disabilities and the associated dangers of wandering and elopement, with the goal of saving lives.  Specifically, this funding will help TAP expand their educational programming and create new programs to reach underserved and Spanish-speaking communities.

National Autism Association, Inc. (NAA) will receive $146,679 to support its core safety program, the Big Red Safety Box, which provides preventative tools and educational materials for families and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or developmental disabilities, so they are better prepared to prevent and manage crises stemming from wandering and elopement within underserved populations.

“Elopement and other dangers associated with ASD and developmental disabilities can be frantic, harrowing experiences for children and individuals with autism as well as for their family members, loved ones, and caregivers. These federal funds will equip law enforcement and first responders, families, and community members with new tools and resources to spread awareness, help limit incidents of elopement, and save lives,” said Senator Reed, who was recently recognized by the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island for his work with TAP to increase support and strengthen resources for Rhode Islanders with ASD.  “I’m proud to help support the tremendous work being done by The Autism Project and National Autism Association in partnership with community-based organizations, first responders, and families across Rhode Island and the nation.”

According to TAP, about 22,000 Rhode Islanders have autism.  TAP serves the entire state of Rhode Island, but much of this project will focus on assisting families and autistic people living in diverse urban areas of Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket.

“The Autism Project (TAP) is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue our work to prevent elopement at both the local and national level. Keeping autistic people safe is our highest priority, while simultaneously educating and empowering families and first responders involved in the prevention of and response to elopement,” said Joanne Quinn, executive director of The Autism Project.  “With these new grant funds, TAP will have the ability to create a greater library of materials on safety, and to elevate the voices of autistic people and families from underserved communities. Without the generous funding from the Kevin and Avonte Program, this work would not be possible. We are resolute in our commitment to autistic people and their families, and are thrilled by the opportunity to continue our mission.” 

Since 2011, NAA’s Big Red Safety Box program has provided free safety toolkits for nearly 75,000 families across the country in need of wandering-prevention tools. Recipients of these toolkits must be a primary caregiver of an individual with ASD. Each box includes educational materials, two door/window alarms, one identification bracelet or shoe tag, for adhesive “Stop Sign” visual prompts, one safety alert window cling for care or home windows, and one Child ID Kit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. More information on NAA’s Big Red Safety Box program and how to request a box can be found here. 

“The autism community has endured a harrowing summer – the most fatal on record for wandering-related emergencies.  With nearly fifty heartbreaking losses this year, primarily nonspeaking children who died due to accidental drownings, our mission has never been more urgent. The funds provided by Kevin and Avonte’s Law will help us continue to provide families across the country with critical preventative tools, free of charge,” said Krystal Higgins, Executive Director of the National Autism Association.  “We are grateful to be able to expand our programs, outreach, and partnerships with organizations such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children so that we can continue to address the unprecedented need for safety programs, federal advocacy, and first responder trainings.  We are committed to using these funds responsibly and effectively to make the biggest impact possible furthering our work in spearheading nationwide awareness and resources to help address the dire issues of wandering and drowning.”

Elopement refers to a common occurrence for children with ASD, who may wander away from caregivers or secure locations. According to the National Institutes for Health (NIH), elopement occurs in approximately 49 percent of individuals diagnosed with ASD. Additionally, accidental harm and injury is a serious risk during elopement incidents as drowning accounts for about 71 percent of wandering-related deaths among individuals with autism and close calls with traffic were reported in 65 percent of all elopement cases. Elopement can be a traumatic experience for a person with autism and their caregivers. It is imperative for first responders to be aware of how best to assist an individual with autism in these situations.

Senator Reed helped pass Kevin and Avonte’s Law in the 114th Congress. This law is named in honor of two boys with autism – 9 year-old Kevin Curtis Wills of Iowa and 14-year old Avonte Oquendo of New York – who perished after wandering away from supervised settings.

In 2022, Reed voted to reauthorize Kevin and Avonte’s Law for another five years as part of the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The law has helped direct over $10 million to communities across the nation and includes an alert program to help notify communities about missing individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, autism, and other developmental disabilities. It also enables the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants for state and local education and training programs to help prevent elopement and reunite caregivers with missing family members.