Reissued RFP to Bring Autism Expertise & Services to Rural Areas of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) through the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit (TIU) is seeking providers interested in developing and piloting an effective model of care for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The DPW is interested in supporting a model of service delivery that can be replicated in other rural areas. The DPW is particularly interested in programs that have an integrated service delivery and treatment plan that incorporates all domains that affect children with autism, i.e., speech, occupational and physical therapy, medical, academics, and family. The DPW is also interested in innovative ways to incorporate existing behavioral health, medical, education, rehabilitation, and family services.

Programs may focus only on one part of the autism spectrum or a narrow age group, but must provide justification for the limit in scope of the proposal. Proposals are due August 21, 2006. A single award with a maximum value of $200,000 will be given to provide funding for a pilot program to begin September 6, 2006, and end June 30, 2007. Grantees will be notified by September 5, 2006.