March 2024

CRAAG Newsletter

Heads Up - There's Been a Change

The March 20th CRAAG

Meeting Is Rescheduled ...

The Next CRAAG ZOOM Meeting

Is On Wednesday, April 24th

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Agenda

1) Welcome/Introductions

2) Advocacy Updates

• General Assembly
• Virginia Autism Advocacy Alliance
• SIS-A-2nd Edition Redesign

4) CRAAG Work Group Reports

5) Housing Discussion

• CRAAG/UVA "Housing Needs of Individuals with Autism: Six Case Examples"
• DD Housing Opportunities in Central VA

6) Provider/Agency/Partner Updates

7) Family Concerns/Open Discussion

Zoom Link for the April

24th CRAAG Meeting

Meeting ID: 371 306 7117

Passcode: ysA8Ji

Questions? Email CRAAG for more information.

Free, Annual PRC Transition Conference

and Resource Fair At PVCC

On March 16th From 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

Still Time to Register:

Adult registration link

Student registration link

Conference Highlights:

• Free lunch for the first 200 people who register
• More than 25 agencies and professionals will be represented
• Informative presentations, youth panels, and exhibits
• Information to prepare families for Life After High School

Read this flyer for more information!

Two Upcoming Events from

VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment

VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment is holding a SPARK Night bowling event on Thursday, March 28th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. RSVP here by March 26th to attend.

VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment is holding a Family Festival & Community Walk on Saturday, April 13th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register here to support VIA Centers.

Read the STAR Winter 2024 Newsletter Here!

Open this issue to learn more about UVA STAR's plans to enroll 300 autistic adults from across Virginia and North Carolina in a research study of two virtual mental health therapy programs. The two therapies are Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy.

The goal of the study, the largest of its kind, is to compare which of these two therapy programs is better at reducing anxiety and/or depression in autistic adults.

What Is Involved?

• If you identify as an autistic adult (18 years old or older) with anxiety and/or depression in Virginia, you may be eligible for this study.
• Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to one of two virtual-based therapy programs: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or Mindfulness-Based Therapy.
• The therapy programs will be at no cost to the participant and will be conducted weekly. The therapy program may take up to 18 weeks.
• At three time points, participants will complete various assessments, which will include questions about their mental health, quality of life, and experiences with the therapy they receive.
• All participants will be compensated for their time during these assessments, up to $150.

Interested?

Take the Interest Survey to Participate!

Throughout the General Assembly, the Virginia Autism Project has done a great job following the legislative decision-making on bills supported or opposed by the autism community. They have called on supporters to call or email senators and delegates to let them know of their support or opposition.

Now, all the bills that passed both the House of Delegates and the Senate must be signed by the Governor in order to be enacted. To keep the autism community engaged to the very end, the VAP published a concise summary and is preparing action alerts to send to the Governor encouraging him to sign the autism bills before him. Your engagement is still needed, please stay involved.

Click here to read the VAP's summary

Click here to join the VAP's Action Alerts

About CRAAG

CRAAG began in 2010 in collaboration with Commonwealth Autism (CA). CRAAG’s mission is to raise awareness and enhance the quality of life for people with autism, developmental disabilities, and their families in Charlottesville City, Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson counties. We are a volunteer action group for families, self-advocates, and professionals who are interested in all age groups and levels of need. The daily concerns of CRAAG's active volunteers inform our focus on the needs of students transitioning out of high school, adults throughout the lifespan, and their families. Our advocacy is person-centered aimed at maximizing independent living with supports; meaningful employment; social connectivity; and community engagement. CRAAG's 2021 Housing survey initiated a years-long initiative in our region to expand the number of housing options, supports and services available to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

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