Community of Autism Resources and Education - CARE

Social Stars Group

The CARE Program at Heartspring is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for our Social Stars group, a social skills program for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, aged 5-21.

The Social Stars will meet once a week from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. starting on Tuesday, February 16th and last for 6 weeks with the last group meeting on March 23rd. This will be the first of several 6 week social skills programs throughout 2010. Individual participants will take part in a small group setting that includes a social skills cirriculum and fun, engaging activities.

Participation will not be based on first come first served basis. Applications will be reviewed, and groups will be formed to best accomodate the needs of each individual. If your child is not chosen for the initial Social Stars groups, additional opportunities will be available throughout the year including more Social Stars groups, Camp SSTAR, and SSTAR Scouts, so please sign up for CARE updates to get up to date information regarding opportunities for your child.

Social Stars Group Application [DOC]

The cost for the first 6 week program meeting once a week is $75.00. Application deadline is January 25th, and can be emailed to cerbert@heartspring.org or mailed to:
Connie Coulter-Erbert, 8700 E. 29th St. North, Wichita, KS 67226.

If you have any questions, please call Connie Erbert, Director of CARE and Autism Outreach at 634-8862 or Lindsay Salomon, Director of School Therapies and Applied Technology at 634-8878.

About CARE

The 2008 Autism CARE Walk Video on YouTube

The 2008 CARE Walk Photo Gallery

The vision of Heartspring's CARE Program is to meet the unique needs of families by providing resources and services within a community of collaboration centered on autism spectrum disorders. We believe that all individuals with autism spectrum disorders deserve and require evidence-based interventions and services that will allow them to reach their potential and participate as fully as possible in family, school and community life. At the same time, we recognize that such interventions and services must be cost effective so that parents can maximize the limited funding available and access the services available for their child.

Sign up for CARE updates to receive emails notifying you of our upcoming events, programs and services. Mark your calendars now for some of our upcoming events:

The 2008 Autism CARE Walk at Heartspring was a great success. Join us for our second annual walk for autism awareness on Saturday April 4, 2009.
Camp SSTAR 2008 was phenomenal. The first ever camp in Wichita for children with Asperger syndrome brought over 55 campers to the Heartspring campus. Visit the Camp SSTAR website to check out what some of our campers created and to see what activities our campers participated in during this week-long camp. Planning for CAMP SSTAR 2009 is already underway.
Private in-home consultation services provide parents with resources and supports specific to their child’s individual needs. Areas targeted include behavior management, communication, social skills, organizational skills, and visual strategies.
Heartspring Conference Series provides continuing education credits and renowned speakers present on various topics related to ASD and other disorders.

Spring 2009

SSTAR Scouts will participate in various “scout” activities that will target specific areas of deficits related to autism spectrum disorders. While many of the Scouts might have very intense and limited areas of interests, our goal will be to expand those areas to include many other areas while increasing social opportunities and success throughout their daily lives. Participants will have the opportunity to earn SSTAR Scout badges by accomplishing goals outlined to target specific areas of deficit in the areas of social/emotional skills, higher executive functioning skills, and organizational skills. Badges are earned for accomplishments in goal areas while participating in day to day activities at school, home, or in the community. The vision of SSTAR Scouts is to provide a structured, fun and safe learning environment with opportunities for the Scouts to acquire and learn new skills. These core skills will facilitate a positive and productive management of real life situations that ultimately becomes the catalyst towards a happier, more fulfilling life.

Coming Soon

The CARE Gardens --- The CARE gardens will be structured specifically for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders so that they can ultimately be maintained independently, with minimal support from staff. Accessed by Heartspring children as well as children and young adults in the Wichita area, the CARE gardens will provide a setting that will facilitate independence in a work setting, enhance and refine employment skills, promote team building, and increase self esteem with the goal of preparing many for real world job situations, and lasting employment.

Practical Application Seminars designed to provide resources needed to effectively implement research-based strategies in the home.