Grants/Program Development

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is the first organization in the United States with the specific mission to develop programs with exemplary organizations and award grants to implement them, creating new, vital and innovative opportunities for young adults and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to participate in and contribute to community life.

A National Agenda Addressing the Needs of Adults Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders

Since 2002, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation has been a trailblazer in identifying and focusing on the needs and issues that affect the lives of young adults and adults challenged by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). In addition, several of our grant awards have focused on educating the public about adults affected by ASD including DVD series, training manuals, educational booklets and resource guides. Now, more than ever, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation mission resonates as the numbers of people on the spectrum rise to over one million Americans. Where there is need, there is opportunity, and we are proud to be at the forefront of the "adult autism movement" not only as advocates but also as an organization that is addressing this challenge in tangible ways that affect lives.

 

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation 2010 Programs

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation
Signature Grant Programs

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation (DJF) Signature Grant Programs represent a new and exciting direction in our commitment to developing programs and awarding grants to support their creation. Partnerships have been forged by DJF to create exemplary and replicable programs that address critical needs and gaps in services and supports for adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  In 2010, DJF launched coast-to-coast collaborations with organizations that our Board of Trustees and Advisors have identified to be among the premiere providers of specific types of programming for young adults and adults with ASD in the United States.

Each DJF Signature Grant Program addresses a targeted area of focus related to adult life.  DJF works with our partner to foster the development of the program and its implementation. Several of the 2010 programs are new and innovative projects to the world of ASD, and we aspire for them to open up exciting opportunities for the diverse population of adults with this challenge. Other 2010 programs represent core grassroots initiatives, some that we have previously developed and supported, and in these instances we will help them to expand to serve more people, also with the goal of replication in other communities.  DJF's  concentration and expertise in developing programs for young adults and adults with ASD has led us to the realization that programs take time to refine, so each of the DJF Signature Grant Programs have our commitment for a specified time frame of grant support contingent upon the bi- annual review of the program by our Board of Trustees.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Peer Support Group Program at GRASP:
This is the first support group in the United States for individuals age 60+  living with Asperger Syndrome (AS). The group meets monthly throughout the year to discuss Issues that are relevant to their lives including health and wellness, aging, new Information and developments in the world of AS and how this affects their lives. The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP) staff and an expert facilitator run this New York City based program. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is committed to fostering the ongoing development of this model .

 The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Vocational/Life Skills Fund at the SARRC Vocational and Life Skills Academy:
This new program provides funding for adults living with ASD, who could not otherwise afford to do so, to partake in the vocational and life skills programs at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) Vocational and Life Skills Academy located in Phoenix, Arizona. The goal of the program is to help the participants gain the necessary skills to become successful employees and to live as productive and contributing members of the community. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is committed to fostering the ongoing development of this prog ram as a model for engaging the participation of underserved adults on the spectrum.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Life Skills and Self Advocacy Program at the Vista Inspire Program:
This new program at Vista Inspire, a program for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services located in Los Angeles, California creates the opportunity for young adults ages 16-22 to focus on self advocacy, transition into adulthood, skill building to enhance inclusion in the community and self-esteem building through volunteerism in the community. The group partakes in weekly classes that include enhancing verbal and augmentative communication using the musical and theatrical techniques of Elaine Hall, Founder of the Vista Inspire Program, The Miracle Project, and renowned expert in creative programming for individuals with ASD. Peer mentors also participate as friends and role models so as to maximize the participant's ability to integrate within the community. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is committed to fostering the ongoing development of this transition to adult life program for individuals who face more significant challenges.
The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Workplace Development Program at the NECC:
This new addition to the esteemed vocational program at the New England Center for Children  incorporates the use of video modeling into the individualized job training programs of the participants. Individual curriculums for each job task are developed and include task analysis and video modeling either in DVD format or digital to download to IPod Touch and data sheet. Data will be collected on each participant to enhance their performance and also to provide a blueprint for fostering the proliferation of the protocols established to other pro grams.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Health and Wellness Program at Chapel Haven:
This newly developed study and program will take place at Chapel Haven, Inc. a renowned program for adults with ASD located in New Haven, Connecticut and Tucson, Arizona that includes transition, residential, educational and vocational programming and supports. The study will be a comprehensive research project conducted by researchers from the University of Connecticut and Chapel Haven and will examine all aspects that might affect the health and wellness of an individual on the spectrum. Areas to be focused on primarily will be: decrease in anxiety; increase in self esteem; attainment of healthy weight; independent healthy food choices; independent choices of exercise and activity. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is committed to fostering the ongoing development of this p rogram.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Hotline and Resource Guide  at J-ADD:  
The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation developed this exemplary grassroots program as one of our first grants in 2002. It was our goal to pilot and develop a community based resource for families and individuals facing the challenge of Autism that would cost them nothing but would provide invaluable support in terms of one-on-one consultations backed up by extensive resources to serve their needs. This program has flourished and now supports upwards of 50 new families per year and also provides the community at large, free of charge on our website and theirs, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation/J-ADD Resource Guide that is filled hundreds of community resources. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is committed to this ongoing development and proliferation of this model.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Red Ball Weekends at the Ridgewood YMCA: 
This program that was developed by The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and the Ridgewood YMCA creates the opportunity for families of young adults and adults living with ASD to participate in family respite weekends at the YMCA's Camp Bernie. These weekends are designed to be mini-vacations for the families where they can pursue an array of seasonal activities, socialize and relax with the support of the YMCA staff. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle is committed to this ongoing program that is now in its 4th year of operation.



 

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation
Community Seed Grant Programs

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation (DJF) has selected a group of organizations that will receive grant awards of $5000 or less as "seed" money to start a new endeavor or help an existing program grow. These organizations, like those in our Signature Grant Programs category, have an established record of working successfully with individuals with ASD and expertise in providing programs for their benefit. Many are located in communities in the United States where there are few programs for young adults and adults with ASD and it is our hope that the "seeds" will be planted for development of more opportunities for those who reside there because of the support of DJF. These grant awards are for one year only.

In 2010 DJF will focus on 3 key areas that we have identified as vital, innovative, and have replication potential.

HORITCULTURE/VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Boston Higashi School, Inc.:
A chamomile garden called "The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Chamomile Garden" will be planted as part of the horticulture program. The adult farmers in the program will learn all aspects of the planting process and will work with a commercial farm to get training. They will also harvest and sell the chamomile grown in the garden as part of this start-up vocational endeavor.

GHA, Inc. at Carolina Farms:
"The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Vocational Program at Carolina Farms" will be established at this program located in Albermarle, North Carolina. DJF has previously awarded grants to this organization for farming and horticulture programs that included the building of a barn and greenhouse. This grant will help create an on-site horticulture business that includes planting, growing and marketing of the herbs and plants. A business and marketing plan will also be developed.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Kean University:
The Kean Autism Research and Education Center (KARE) located at Kean University in New Jersey was created to advance research in ASD; educate professionals to work in an interdisciplinary manner to improve the lives of individuals with ASD; and to provide information, training and a lifetime of support to individuals and families. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation grant will enhance the Project Excel program, a mentoring program that helps support students with ASD who attend the university.

Camden County College:
Camden County Community College, located in New Jersey, has responded to the need to provide higher educational services for young adults and adults with ASD with its Transition Education Center (TREC) program, designed to provide these students with both the academic and social skills needed to succeed in the workforce or in college. In order to expand this program more extensive training for the college professors who may have these students in their classes is needed as well as for those who support the students in the classroom and in job placements. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation grant will enhance this aspect of the program.

RECREATIONAL/PRE-VOCATIONAL PROGRAM

Spectra Academy:

Spectra Academy is a nonprofit, parent-led group, run by professionals in the field of ASD, that seeks to provide opportunities to further the social skills of individuals with ASD by building upon their interests (drama, film-making). Spectra Academy will create a 3-month pilot program to provide training in computer graphic design culminating in the production of graphic novels by the participants. The skills acquired in computer training and graphic design can be added to the participants’ resumes as they seek future employment.


View Our 2009 Grants