[December 16, 2014]

The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Presents the First Annual Flutie Foundation Partner Summit

The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism today announced its First Annual Flutie Foundation Partner Summit to announce their 2014 grant recipients. The summit will take place Friday, December 19 at 8:30am at The VERVE- Crown Plaza Hotel in Natick, Massachusetts. Overall, the Foundation is expecting to distribute over $400,000 to non-profit organizations in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, California, Florida and Canada.

The Flutie Foundation Partner Summit celebrates the advancements made in autism over the past year by awarding an assortment of non-profits that have continued to aid with major developments. The awarded non-profits have stood apart by promoting adult independence, addressing the needs of families, and encouraging active lifestyles for those living with autism.

"We always look forward to announcing each year's grant recipients," says Lisa Borges, Executive Director of the Foundation. "But this year, we are extremely excited to present the First Annual Flutie Foundation Partner Summit to not only honor all the recipients, but to thank all of the applicants for the work they do to help those individuals and families living with autism."

The event will be emceed by WBZ-TV anchor Paula Ebben, while the Key Note speakers will be Linda and Brent Anderson who inspire audiences around the country with their heartwarming, personal journey of living with Autism as mother and son. Also speaking will be three organizations that focus on access to srvices, an active lifestyle, and adult independence for those individuals living with autism. These three organizations include Spectrum (News - Alert) Designs, CORSE Foundation, and the Autism Insurance Resource Center (AIRC). Families who have greatly benefited from the work of each organization will speak as well.

The first speaker, Spectrum Designs, provides gainful employment and meaningful work opportunities to individuals with autism within a social enterprise. The CORSE Foundation (Community of Resources for Special Education) works to raise funds to provide the highest quality educational, social, and recreational community experiences so children with special needs can reach their full potential. The Autism Insurance Resource Center will also speak, and this organization provides information to the public about insurance coverage under a new law, An Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism (ARICA), which took effect in Massachusetts on January 1, 2011.

Each month, The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism highlights one of these organizations on its website as the "Mission Moment of the Month." To learn more about a different grant recipient each month, please visit www.flutiefoundation.org.

About The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism:

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. was established in 1998 by Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, in honor of their 23 year old son, Doug, Jr. who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Autism is a neurological disorder that impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autism now affects one in 68 children in the United States, and the numbers diagnosed continue to dramatically climb.

The goal of the Flutie Foundation is to help families affected by autism live life to the fullest. Through their programs and partnerships, the Foundation helps people with autism get access to care; lead more active lifestyles; and grow toward adult independence. For more information about The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism please visit www.flutiefoundation.org

For more information on The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, please contact Alecia Detka at Ebben Zall Group at (781) 449-3244, or visit www.flutiefoundation.org.

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