Forest-Warren Autism Early Identification

Diagnostic & Treatment Center History

In October of 2006, Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare, Autism Affairs awarded a grant for $177,000 to the Barber National Institute to enhance autism services in rural communities. After receiving this award, the Barber National Institute created the Forest-Warren Autism Early Identification Diagnostic & Treatment Center. Development of this program continues at a rapid pace.

On October 30th, a press conference was held in Warren to announce details about the project with the County Commissioners of Forest and Warren Counties and Representative Kathy Rapp in attendance. Since then, the following actions have taken place:

• A toll-free number, 1-877-3PUZZLE, is now available for families to access services and request information.
• The first in a series of autism trainings have been held for target groups that include parents, school district personnel, and County Human Service and Central Intake staff.
• A brochure explaining the services has been developed and is being distributed to parents and professionals throughout the counties.
• A billboard announcing the Center and the toll-free number has been set up on Route 6, the main east-west roadway into Warren County, as of January, 2007.
• Literature and Internet access are now available at the Parent Resource Library.
• A training session for the Warren County Medical Society was held on April 13, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Conewango Club. More than 30 members and invited guests attended this presentation by Joseph C. Barber, M.D., entitled "The Faces of Autism Spectrum Disorder." The demand for admission was so high that Dr. Barber gave the presentation again in Erie on April 26, 2007 to an audience of more than 150 people.

Future activities will include:

• Establishment of Telepsychiatry services
• Development of a Parent Resource Library and a Parent Support Network
• Training for professional medical staff
• Continued outreach to human services and educational institutions in Forest-Warren Counties.

For more information about the Forest-Warren program, please contact Lindsay VandeVelde by email or by calling (814) 726-8445.