The HDS Foundation supports many programs to help teens and young adults on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transition to their post-secondary journey. The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program is a school-based social and community life skills activities class designed to meet the needs of ASD High School Students in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program is structured in the form of a grant and encourages High School ESE Departments to create school-based programs that provide opportunities year-round for Social, Independence, Community and Personal Development to teens who have Developmental Disabilities. The recipients of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Grant can accomplish this by incorporating various community based-field trips to local businesses who provide potential future employment, life skills development initiatives such as establishing bank accounts, shopping opportunities, and learning about transportation options.
Social skills also play a key component to the BRIDGES Program. Students are encouraged during the school year to participate in Homecoming, Football Games, Prom, and many other social activities.
The Grant is structured as an annual application, available by mid to late January of each year. Schools must submit the grant request by June 15th, and the Foundation will award it by July 15th. The Grant maximum is $5,000 per school year; it is disbursed with part of the funds awarded at the student level. This process creates an exclusive learning opportunity for shopping, eating out, etc. which are vital to the budgeting component of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program.
To apply for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. GRANT, please visit our website at:
https://www.hdsfoundation.org/program-a-building-bridges-at-the-bay/
For more information, please contact Liz Falk, HDS Foundation, Program Manager at liz@hdsfoundation.org or call-954-217-9597, ext. 260.