May Institute Supports Civilian and Military Families in Need of Autism Services

RANDOLPH, Mass., Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- May Institute is proud to announce that, for the fifth consecutive year, it is among the selected beneficiaries of the U.S. Government's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC is the world's largest annual workplace charity campaign, raising millions of dollars each year for nonprofit organizations that provide health and human service benefits in countries around the world.

May Institute is a national nonprofit network of educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral health services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other special needs.

Donations made through the 2014 CFC campaign will provide specialized care and support services to children and adults with ASD, brain injury, and other special needs. Past campaigns have supported programs throughout the country, including those serving children with ASD in military families.

"A shortage of qualified providers and the lack of professional resources near installations mean that fewer than 10 percent of military children with ASD are receiving critical treatment and care," says Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, President and Chief Executive Officer of May Institute. "Through the generosity of our CFC donors we have been able to significantly strengthen our ability to provide vital services to these military dependents and their families."

Laura, a military parent in the Washington, D.C., area, knows firsthand how difficult it can be to find answers and the right resources for a child with autism. (Read Laura's story.) After 12 years of knowing something was not quite right, progress was finally made with two important discoveries.

One doctor raised the possibility that Laura's son may have an ASD, and suggested an evaluation. Shortly thereafter, while researching the topic of autism, Laura's hopes soared when she stumbled on an organization in the CFC catalogue that not only could provide a definitive diagnosis, but also specialized in autism services for military families.

"After walking through the doors of May Institute and within moments of describing our situation to the staff, I felt I had found people who not only understood my son and what we were going through, but who could truly help us," said Laura. "We consider May Institute our 'new family' because they saved ours."

To be named a beneficiary of the CFC, May Institute underwent rigorous review to demonstrate that it meets the highest standards of public accountability, and program and cost effectiveness. These standards are required by the U.S. government for inclusion in the CFC, and fewer than 50,000 charities (or five percent) of the millions of charities operating in the U.S. meet these standards.

The Independent Charities of America has also awarded May Institute with the highest honor – the Seal of Excellence. This award is given to less than 2,000 charities (or four percent) of the 50,000 charities in the CFC.

The CFC campaign season runs through December 15, 2014. May Institute's DBA is "Autism Treatment, Research and Training for Military and Civilian Families." Its CFC number is 11228.

View a video about May Institute's services.

About May Institute

May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with nearly 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems. At more than 160 service locations across the country, highly trained staff work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of individuals and families across the lifespan.

The Institute also provides autism-related services to military dependents and their families, and serves all branches of the military — Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard — at installations across the country.

For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.

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SOURCE May Institute

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