ACT is preparing to launch our annual Giving Tuesday Fundraising Campaign next Tuesday, but first we would like to give thanks to the support that has been extended to ACT since our successful fundraising campaign a year ago. The generosity of members of the autism community, and the many organizations that contribute to it, allowed ACT to provide an enriched program in 2019, rather than shutting down programs.

In 2019, your donations supported:

• The creation of 22 new free videos. Autism Videos @ ACT now has 60 autism training videos, with new comprehensive learning streams on Women & Girls with Autism and Positive Behavior Support. In the past year, 25,000 users watched 4,600 hours of ACT’s online videos.
• Seven live events provided training to over 2,700 registrants across B.C. and Canada, and allowed us to give over $11,000 in bursaries.
• Access to high-quality autism information for thousands of families across Canada to ACT’s Autism Information Database, BC Community Resources, and the Autism Manual for BC.

ACT’s Board and Staff recognize our generous donors, collaborative partners and outstanding presenters for giving ACT the opportunity to provide accessible, practical resources that acknowledge the diversity of the autism community across the province and around the world.

Visit ACT’s Accomplishments in 2019 to find out more about our work.

ACT is promoting Stephanie Porter, our current Administrative and Training Coordinator, and we are in need of an enthusiastic replacement for this important role. The A&T Coordinator is the first point of contact for ACT, and provides timely, professional and sensitive responses to a wide-range of inquiries. This position provides administrative support for ACT, including reception and event planning.

Required Experience:

• 2 years’ experience in a responsible administrative role
• Excellent organization, planning and project management skills
• Detail oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Superior customer service skills
• Proficient with MSOffice suite, including Word and Excel
• Competency in the use of office equipment – such as faxes, copy machines, postage meters, phone systems

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Event planning
• WordPress
• Microsoft CRM
• Knowledge of autism an asset

For a full job description, and to submit your resume and cover letter, please contact [email protected].

Review of applications will begin November 15^th – the position will be filled as soon as the right person applies.

Anticipated start date: January 6^th, 2020.

Web streaming is available for all of our October and November events, with registration of only $50 per person until one week before the event starts.

POPARD’s Introduction to Navigating BC’s School System – for Families with Children with ASD

Watch in-person or via live web-streaming

November 15th, 2019 – Vancouver, BC

Veena Birring Hayer, MSW, RSW, Family-School Liaison
Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD)

Ensuring that your child with autism receives an appropriate education can be challenging at times. Many parents report that they are confused about special needs supports and services for their child within British Columbia’s public school system. In 2017, the B.C. Ministry of Education funded the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders to create a new position – POPARD’s Family School Liaison – to provide information and support to parents and caregivers of students with ASD.

View details & registration

Supporting Indigenous Families Affected by Autism through Engagement and Research

ACT’s 2019 Focus on Research Gathering

November 22nd, 2019 – Vancouver, BC

Web-stream live to your home, school, or office!

In this one-day informal gathering, we will discuss how indigenous communities can be better served by research into the needs of their children affected by developmental disabilities. We will look at several research projects that have been developed in partnership with indigenous communities. The leadership of these projects will discuss the benefits of collaborative partnerships, in the context of chronically under-resourced indigenous programs, as a necessary step in the process of genuine reconciliation. Key findings of their research will be presented.

View details & registration

POPARD’s Introduction to Behavior and Mental Health – for Families with Children with ASD

Watch in-person or via live web-streaming

November 29th, 2019 – Vancouver, BC

Veena Birring Hayer, MSW, RSW
Georgina Robinson, PhD
Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD)

In this presentation, Veena Birring Hayer, POPARD’s Family-School Liaison and Dr. Georgina Robinson, Principal of POPARD, will review the most common mental health concerns experienced by autistic children and adolescents. The focus will be on helping parents identify when to seek support.

View details & registration

Bursaries

Bursaries to attend an ACT workshop via live web streaming are available if cost is a barrier. Priority is given to BC residents and to parents and participants who are low income.
View bursary information.