FOUNDATION PHILOSOPHY
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| We recognize that all families have a right to access the necessary interventions needed to better their children’s lives. |
| We accept a responsible approach to determining the distribution of funds based on an evaluative criteria. |
| We understand that families have a right to submit documentation for a variety of treatment options. |
We hold the parents and caregivers of all children in the
highest regard and know that they are their children’s first
and most important advocates. |
We believe that any child with Autism Spectrum Disorder deserves the opportunity to access their full potential
through early intervention. |
We commit to educating individuals and groups about
the need for early intervention. |
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Graydon L. Agar M.A., BCBA, is a board certified behavior analyst that has been providing direct intervention to children with autism for approximately 6 years. From a business background of owing and operating restaurants for 15 years, Graydon returned to the University of South Florida to finish his degree in psychology. Following graduation from his undergraduate degree, Graydon immediately entered a master’s program in behavior analysis at the University of South Florida and completed his masters with honors. Graydon wrote and published a thesis on using behavioral momentum with children in pre-k and kindergarten classrooms.
Graydon has worked for 5 years at a not for profit that serves over 145 children with autism spectrum disorder. As a clinician, he has provided direct intervention on a daily basis using early intensive behavior intervention (EIBI). This model of intervention has produced significant and lasting changes in the children with ASD that he has served. Additionally, Graydon has spent hundreds of hours in schools operating as a consultant to teachers and para educators helping them to create effective behavior plans to increase desired behaviors while reducing those that are maladaptive.
While serving children with ASD Graydon recognized that there was an increasing demand financially on those families that were not fortunate enough have some insurance to meet the intense level of need for their children. After research to find some financial relief for these families it became apparent that no agency provided direct funding for early intervention. The idea for Today’s Hope came from this realization and Graydon began to discuss with several families and friends the possibility of creating such an agency. Graydon attends a yearly conference for the Association of Behavior Analysis where relevant information from the field of Autism, with a focus on early intervention, is accessible through workshops, symposiums and poster presentations. Graydon is a member in good standing with the International Association of Behavioral Analysis and The Standard Celeration Society. gagar@todayshopeautism.org
PRESIDENT
Tonya Guinn is a licensed social worker who has fifteen amazing years serving people with special needs. She has the unique experience of having managed services of others as well those of her own child diagnosed with ASD. Tonya understands first hand the mental and financial challenges that families face. Tonya has seen her son with ASD continue to thrive with a multi-pronged treatment plan using ABA, biomedical, and dietary treatments that has drastically improved her son's choices for the future. "My eyes have been opened to the amazing things that can happen for families by providing them with early intervention. I have a special calling to blend my talents and passion to assist other families who have been faced with a special needs diagnosis." tguinn@todayshopeautism.org
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MISSION AND VISION
Today’s Hope provides access to early intervention services to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by directly funding providers of these services.
Directly funding these early intervention services enables families the opportunity to build a future for their children by changing the trajectory of lives in a positive and self sustaining manner.
GOAL
Today’s Hope is a not-for-profit organization that will provide financial resources for early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) both nationally and internationally.
Today’s Hope will secure short and long term funding by building community support through local and national fundraising events. Today’s Hope will write and submit grants to funding sources that are currently investing in ASD early intervention.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Anji Smith, CCC, SLP, Member, has been a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
since 2002. She completed her undergraduate degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences
at the University of Washington in August 1996. She graduated with honors from
Northern Arizona University in December 2000 with her graduate degree. She worked
in the public school system for five years before moving into private practice in 2002
She is in the process of becoming PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular
Phonetic Targets) certified. PROMPT is a motor-kinesthetic approach to teach speech
and language to children with motor speech disorders. Anji has attended Introduction to
Verbal Behavior to assist in implementing ABA therapy techniques. Anji enjoys spending time with her family and is active in her church. asmith@todayshopeautism.org
Deanna Neher, PHR, Member, is the mother of two incredible sons. Older son, Spencer, diagnosed with High Functioning Autism at age 5, is an engaged member of their active family thanks to a combination of biomedical and early intervention therapies. She and her husband, Jay, are grateful to have found resources and support for their family’s journey with Autism. With gratitude and a desire to help other families with the often overwhelming task of finding and financing early intervention services, they learned of Today’s Hope from Graydon, Spencer's ABA therapist. In addition to her personal experience with Autism, Deanna’s professional experience includes a successful 12+ year career in domestic and international Human Resource management. She is honored to apply these experiences and her passion for helping others to the mission of Today’s Hope. dneher@todayshopeautism.org
Louise Rasmussen, SLP, Secretary - I have worked as a Speech Language Pathologist since 1978, and most of that time has been devoted to the public school system and to working with preschool aged children. Currently I am working as a Speech Language Pathologist and the Coordinator for the Special Education Preschool Program of the Snoqualmie Valley School District in Washington State. During my career I’ve witnessed the rise in autism, along with the challenges facing the service fields and the parents who care about these children. I bring to Today’s Hope my understanding of the schools’ responsibility in providing a free and appropriate public education for all children, combined with my understanding of parents’ desires to choose options in treatment and service that may not fall within the schools’ reach. I have seen the power that can be found on behalf of children and families when public schools have the opportunity to coordinate services along with parents and practitioners in the private sector to maximize early intervention opportunities.
My husband Vic and I have raised two sons who are now young adults starting along their own life paths. Life has been very kind to me. I have the rewards of a wonderful career and a terrific family. At this point in my life, I feel drawn to contribute some of my time and energy to the mission of Today’s Hope, in hope of helping to improve the lives of our children who have autism. These are very important children in our society! lrasmussen@todayshopeautism.org
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