Dear Families and Friends of CARD,

At the beginning of this school year, because of the budget cuts that came to CARD, our staff decided we needed to cut back on some travel (to avoid having to lay off staff). We decided that we would no longer be able to attend IEP meetings and would instead offer parent workshops on how to participate in your child’s IEP team and also offer to meet with individual families before an IEP meeting to help prepare, when possible. After discussing this arrangement with several family members in our region, we have been convinced that because IEP meetings are so important and often stressful for parents, we have reversed this decision and have begun to attend IEP meetings with families when needed and when our schedule allows. Unfortunately, the Florida Legislature has made further cuts in the CARD budget last week and has warned us that a fourth round of additional budget cuts are to be expected in March or April. The end result of all this is that we are still willing to do all we can to support families (and schools) during the IEP process but our resources and ability to do so are dwindling. We are still providing IEP workshops throughout our region, meeting with families to prepare ahead of time and attending the meetings when possible (in person or by telephone). So please email or call us if you need our support and we will do whatever we can to help. One of the ways we are surviving the budget cut is by changing my role. As of January 1, I am only working part time for CARD and the rest of my time is devoted to research projects in the College of Nursing and the Department of Psychiatry. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Sincerely,
Greg Valcante, Ph.D.
Director

S.T.A.R. 2nd Annual 5K Walk/Run!

Students Together for Autism Research (S.T.A.R.) Autism Awareness 5K Walk/Run
February 28th, 2009 at Westside Park
On-site Registration Starts at 8am
Walk/Run Starts at 9am
Registration is $15 which includes a T-shirt
Proceeds to benefit CARD!

Early Registration - Drop form (download below) off at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities or Mail To:
S.T.A.R.
P.O. Box 142854
Gainesville, FL
32614-2854

Email questions or concerns to ehs.star@gmail.com

Registration Form: http://www.card.ufl.edu/handouts/STAR-Registration-Form-09.pdf

MapMyRun Website: http://www.mapmyrun.com/event/united-states/fl/gainesville/672160876511