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News & Events Category: ‘News’
A Better Chance School 2024-2025 Calendar
Friday, April 5th, 2024A Better Chance School 2020-2021 reopening plan and Related Service Support for Small Cohorts on April 12 2021 – Hybrid model
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021This Covid Safety reopening Plan was designed in consultation with recent state guidelines, with the superintendent of schools for Contra Costa county and the public health department as well as the consortium on Special education NPS directors for the Bay area. Our school is characterized by very unique specific features and serves students with severe Autism from four different counties and twenty two different schools districts. Furthermore, many of our students might be exempted from wearing masks due to sensory needs.
Our Annual Golf Classic: “Give a Kid a Mulligan” will hopefully resume in 2022 (details TBA)
Thursday, February 18th, 2021
Due to the continued complexities related to COVID-19, and for the safety of all players and volunteers; we are postponing our annual Golf Tournament until it is safe to hold. If you have a credit from a previous year, we will transfer it to our next event. If you would like a refund, just let us know.
We’d like to say thank you again for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on the green next year!
Please stay safe and be well.
The Golf Classic is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and we already miss seeing you there! If you’re able to give this year to help California Autism Foundation, please consider a making a gift. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you!!!
ABC School Virtual Tour – Check it out!
Friday, April 3rd, 2020During this time of mandatory shelter in place when we’ve had to switch to distance learning, we thought it would be a nice opportunity to share a “virtual tour” of California Autism Foundation’s ABC School facilities, so you can get a feeling for what it’s like if you’ve never visited before. We look forward to welcoming our students back in person as soon as possible!
Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsxwujkwgQM
[Updated] ABC School closure beginning March 17 through June 5 due to COVID-19 mandatory shelter in place
Wednesday, March 18th, 2020Updated April 8, 2020
ABC School closure starting March 17 due to COVID 19 mandatory shelter in place. Distance learning will be provided to parents and students by our team until the end of the shelter in place. We are hoping to re-open in person for ESY (extended school year) beginning June 29.
Dear parents, staff and school districts,
Seven Bay Area county health officers, in collaboration with their six county superintendents of schools have made a unified, regional decision to extend school closures and student dismissals from regular school attendance through the end of the school year (June 5, 2020) in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. The safety and wellness of students, school personnel, and the community are the highest priorities of all schools and districts in these six counties.
As a result, ABC School will be closed until May 1st and is currently planned to reopen for ESY (extended school year) beginning June 29.
During the physical closure, our wonderful team of Teachers/Educators, therapists (OT, Speech) and behaviorist are still providing remote learning using various innovative online medias such as Google classroom, Zoom, phone calls, video modeling and video calls, news to you, IEP goals data sheets and individual emails with material package and individual guidance. Parents and caregivers please check your email daily and collaborate with our team as it is important that our students keep on working on their goals and receive essential services so they do not regress during this long period of time.
Our spring break will be between March 30th and April 3rd, the online program classes will resume on April 6th through June 5.
Our School Team intends to support and educate all of our students during the pandemic closure with a robust individualized remote learning program that is HIPAA and FERPA compliant. Therefore we will continue to bill our school districts for services and specialized education based on SB 117 Governor’s Emergency declaration calling for the continuation of ADA through closures and for all schools to rise to the challenge of priority distance learning opportunities. SB117 clearly states a hold harmless clause outlining the continued payment of district employees, contractors and NPS serving students from school districts.
Please take care of yourself and stay safe.
Kind regards,
Edith and ABC School Team
Dr. Edith Molinier, Ph.D
Director of Special Education, School Principal, A Better Chance School
California Autism Foundation www.calautism.org
Phone:(510) 262-1500 ext101
Comcast Newsmakers Interview with John Visbal
Tuesday, September 20th, 2016California Autism Foundation Board of Directors Vice President John Visbal interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers.
CAF Introduces New Executive Director
Tuesday, April 1st, 2014FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Valisha Fullard Named Executive Director of California Autism Foundation
As Executive Director, Fullard brings invaluable crisis management skills and empathetic leadership to this burgeoning California non-profit.
Richmond, California – April 1, 2014 – For over thirty years, the California Autism Foundation (CAF) has provided support, resources, and education for those individuals facing challenges associated with autism and other developmental disabilities. With the critical decision to implement a significant change in leadership over the past year, CAF has worked to overcome serious financial obstacles.
Fast-forward just six months later, and Interim Executive Director Valisha Fullard has led efforts to reorganize and financially reposition the Foundation, thanks to a combination of savvy crisis management skills and empathetic leadership. As a result, it came as no surprise when CAF’s Board of Directors named Fullard as the new Executive Director.
“CAF was under immediate financial challenges, and I knew we had to make changes quickly if we wanted to stay afloat,” says Fullard when asked about her sudden tenure as Executive Director. “My leadership style is proactive, not reactive. I found that with my crisis management background, I was able to lead CAF out of our financial deficit and back in a good place.”
As the first female and minority to hold the Executive Director title of CAF, Fullard uses her experiences as a barrier breaker to ensure that the Foundation is able to provide exciting growth opportunities for people with autism and developmental disabilities. Fullard and her staff oversee multiple programs and opportunities that help make an impact within local communities, including Richmond, Contra Costa County, and greater Bay Area.
“My new leadership position has only heightened my passion for working with people with autism and developmental disabilities,” she says. “With each passing day, this environment inspires me to learn more about the people and families that we serve every day.
“After all, CAF isn’t just a non-profit; it’s a home where our consumers are undergoing truly incredible and indescribable growth,” she adds.
Fullard is used to confronting and overcoming a multitude of challenges, whether they be from professional or personal sources. Rather than hide from these dark moments in her history, Fullard embraces her past as a sign of her resilience and perseverance in navigating difficult situations.
Fullard joined CAF in the spring of 2006 as the Director of Human Resources. Originally from the Central Valley of California, Valisha lives in the Bay Area with her family and enjoys singing, acting, and volunteer work at the Shelter for Battered Women and Children.
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About California Autism Foundation
The mission of the California Autism Foundation is to provide people with autism and other developmental disabilities the best possible opportunities for lifetime support, training and assistance to help them reach their highest potential for independence, productivity, and fulfillment.
Media Contact:
Devin James, PR Manager
devin@devinjamesgroup.com
(901) 827-0190
California Autism Foundation Feeling The Love From VH1’s Love And Hip Hop’s Top Lady — Erica Mena and IZMA Models at BET Awards Event
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013On Saturday, June 29th, trendsetters and fashionistas came together to support California Autism Foundation at the BET Awards “Eye on Glam” beauty lounge and day party hosted by VH1’s Love and Hip Hop Latina vixen, Erica Mena, IZMA Models and Lady J Cosmetics. The event was held at 333 Live, in Los Angeles, CA.
“Eye on Glam,” a day of indulgence and pampering for entertainment industry celebrities and guests, was produced by The D Network and The Luxury PR Group. The event’s charming host, Erica Mena was busy as a bee autographing t-shirts for CAF while taking photos with CAF staff as she greeted her fans and visited with vendors. Dana Fikes of The D Network facilitated CAF’s participation in the event and graciously provided introductions for CAF staff to attendees and vendors throughout the day.
CAF gifted attendees with handmade items created by CAF students and clients to include: autism ribbon pins and custom designed artistry greeting cards, and CAF imprinted baseball hats, tote bags, polo shirts and t-shirts. CAF enjoyed the festivities while doing what they do best – raising awareness and providing information and resources about autism and other disabilities.
“Eye on Glam” was an informative and relaxing day as CAF enlightened top celebrity stylists, fashion and beauty industry professionals, guests and attendees about autism, disabilities and CAF programs. An enjoyable day, for on June 29th eyes were also on California Autism Foundation!
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