Autism Services

Welcome to the Bureau of Autism Services, Office of Developmental Programs. The information shared in this site is intended to communicate the Department of Public Welfare’s efforts to enhance the quality of life and independence of Pennsylvanians with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and to support their families and caregivers. Please scroll through this page to learn about the work we are doing to help families and adults with autism in the Commonwealth.

We are committed to hearing your questions, suggestions and feedback about our initiatives.

You can contact us or call the Bureau of Autism Services at 1-866-539-7689.

Mailing address:
Department of Public Welfare
Bureau of Autism Services
P.O. Box 2675; 605 Health and Welfare Building
Harrisburg, PA 17105

Bureau of Autism Services Mission and Values

Bureau of Autism Services - Newsletters and Webcasts
Bureau of Autism Services Upcoming Events

2012 Bureau of Autism Services Family and Individual Mini Grants

The Bureau of Autism Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is pleased to announce the availability of mini-grants to support children and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and families that include an individual with ASD. Learn more...

A focus of this project is to reach out and serve individuals and families that are not able to access existing support systems for various reasons (for example: eligibility criteria, age, waiting lists). The term “family” may include an immediate family member or other relative, a person providing foster care or a legal guardian or custodian, but does not include a person or entity who acts in a paid employment capacity. These grants are funding opportunities that will only be offered once and are time limited. The full application packet including the application, instructions to apply, and frequently asked questions is available to download and print off of our website.

How Do I Apply?

The full application packet including the application, instructions to apply, and frequently asked questions is available to download and print by clicking here: 2012 BAS Mini-Grant Application Packet

Mail your completed application and supporting materials, which may include brochures, printouts from the Internet, statements on sponsoring organization letterhead, or statements of cost to the address on the application packet.

The deadline for submission is April 15, 2012. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 15. Applications which are faxed or e-mailed will not be accepted. BAS cannot be responsible for applications returned for insufficient postage, delayed or lost in transit to our office. Incomplete and illegible applications will not be considered for funding. Please be sure that your application is signed and complete with all necessary documentation attached. BAS cannot be responsible for applications completed or submitted by a third party such as a case manager, BSC, etc.

Applications are due (postmarked by):	April 15, 2012
Notification of awards sent by mail on a rolling basis beginning on or about:	May 16, 2012 (on or about and continuing through the end of the fiscal year.)
Activities must occur between these dates:	March 1, 2012 and August 31, 2012

What if I have questions?

Please visit http://bastraining.adobeconnect.com/p2morh45vnb/ for a webcast regarding the mini-grant application process, or see the Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ, included in the Mini-Grant application packet. If your question is not answered on the webcast or in the FAQ, e-mail DPW-AutismOffice@pa.gov or call the toll-free Mini-Grant Help Line, 1-866-539-7689.

If you do not have Internet access or printing capabilities, requests to mail paper applications can be made after Feb. 17, 2012 by calling the toll-free Mini-Grant Help Line at 1-866-539-7689 or by email: DPW-AutismOffice@pa.gov. Please include and spell your name, complete mailing address and a phone number with area code.

PA Autism Training Conference - Thank you for joining us at the 2011 conference! Please mark your calendars for next year:

Pa Autism Training Conference 2012 - June 12, 13, and 14, 2012

Pennsylvania's Adult Autism Programs

Adult Autism Waiver

Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP)

The Bureau of Autism Services administers two programs for adults with autism, the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) and the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP). These two programs are the first of their kind in the nation, and are designed to help adults with autism live in their communities the way they want to, based on their identified needs.

Both programs will be serving their maximum number of participants by November 2011, and will not be able to enroll additional participants. However, we will continue to accept requests for applications. Applications will not be sent until the capacity to support additional participants is available. Once either program is able to begin accepting additional applications, requests for applications for that program will be processed in the order they were received. This will be based on the date and time individuals first called the toll-free number to request an application for that program.

If you think you may be eligible, or know someone who might be, you are strongly encouraged to request an application. To request an application for either program, you must call toll-free in PA: 1-866-539-7689.

Applications may not be requested by email and are not available on-line.

Please click here for information about the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) or the Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), including program overviews, eligibility requirements, the application process, services, and provider networks.

To view/download the latest version of the PA Adult Autism Waiver, click here: PA Adult Autism Waiver

Adult Autism Waiver Services & Supports Directory

Adult Autism Waiver Services & Supports Directory (SSD) lists all Adult Autism Waiver providers and is searchable by service and/or county. http://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/Compass.web/EPProviderSearch/Pgm/EPWEL.aspx/prg=AAW

Pennsylvania Autism Census Project

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the number of people with autism has risen dramatically nationwide in recent years. They consider this to be an urgent public health concern. In 2005, the Bureau of Autism Services commissioned a census study in Pennsylvania, and the results were alarming. According to the study, there are currently between 25,000 and 30,000 individuals with autism across the lifespan in the Commonwealth. By 2014, 10,000 of these individuals will be over the age of 21, and the numbers will continue to grow.

These people are not just numbers: they are our family members, our neighbors, and members of our communities.

For primary findings, please go to the Pennsylvania Autism Census Project Final Report. To view the full report, including data by county, please visit the BAS Virtual Training and Resource Center.

Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment: A Survey of Individuals and Families Living with Autism

The Pennsylvania Autism Census Project provided a global understanding of how many children and adults in Pennsylvania are living with an autism diagnosis. In order to better meet the complex needs of the growing number of individuals with autism, the Bureau of Autism Services recognized that it is important to have a deeper understanding of specific needs of children and adults across the lifespan, on a local level. The statewide Pennsylvania Autism Needs Assessment was designed to provide this information.

There are six topic reports, and two summary reports, that share the findings of this ground-breaking study. Each of the topic reports includes an in-depth analysis of the data, as well as a set of recommendations.

The information collected from the survey is intended as a roadmap for policymakers, service providers, community organizations, and advocacy groups, to guide the development and implementation of effective services and the efficient use of resources. It is our hope that the results of this study will serve to increase the quality of life for people with autism regardless of their age, where they live, or what systems they are supported by.

To review the reports, and other information about this study, please visit the Eastern ASERT website or the Bureau of Autism Services Virtual Training and Resource Center

The ASERT (Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training) collaboratives are a key component of the Bureau of Autism Services’ strategy for supporting individuals with autism and their families throughout the Commonwealth. Each ASERT collaborative is charged with addressing the needs of their entire region, including the needs of the most rural regions of the state and the most under-served populations. It is our vision that the ASERTs will connect existing resources and pockets of expertise, and address the regional gaps in effective services and supports. The priorities of the ASERTs are driven by the findings of the PA Autism Needs Assessment study.

Virtual Training & Resource Center (VTC)

The BAS Virtual Training & Resource Center (VTC) is a free, comprehensive on-line resource center designed to enable professionals and families to easily access recorded trainings, documents, and other resources in one convenient location. It has recently been updated to make navigation easier. This site was originally designed to house trainings for Adult Autism Waiver providers, but has now been expanded to include various resources for families, individuals and the general professional community.

In September 2008, the Bureau of Autism Services appointed a Housing Options Committee and charged them with assessing and identifying housing options for individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In their "Housing Options For Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder" report, the committee details a first-ever, comprehensive look at the housing challenges and makes recommendations designed to increase housing options for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. To review this very important report, go to: the Bureau of Autism Services Virtual Training and Resource Center (VTC).

PA Autism Insurance Act (Act 62)

Autism Resources

Housing Options for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Other Topics

Topics Related to Autism Services