Easter Seals Grows in Michigan; Participates in Groundbreaking Research

EASTER SEALS MICHIGAN (ESM)

November News Briefs

ESM Participates in Unprecedented Autism Study with PLAY Project

Brent Wirth, President & CEO of Easter Seals Michigan (ESM) and Richard Solomon, M.D., ESM Vice President of Medical Affairs and PLAY (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project lead investigator, announced one of the largest studies of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been published in the October edition of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. PLAY, an evidence based, early intervention approach to improving the lives of children with ASD and their parents, has now been validated as an alternative to the traditional approach of Applied Behavioral Therapy (ABA). At its core, the PLAY Project is a parent-mediated model that teaches quality interaction through play with autistic children, from birth to age 6. The clinical trial compared the outcomes of 120 children with ASD, and compared 60 children who participated in the PLAY Project to 60 children who participated in traditional ASD community interventions. Children who participated in the PLAY Project showed significant improvement in socialization; in caregiver/parent and child interaction; in emotional development and in autism symptomology. The study also demonstrated improvements in parent stress and depression.

AgrAbility Program Receives Major USDA Grant Award

Easter Seals Michigan announces a $720,000 grant award from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Grand Rapids-based AgrAbility program, a partnership with Michigan State University Extension. As the second leading industry in Michigan, agriculture is an economic engine. Farming is also the ninth most dangerous job in America, and approximately 167 agricultural workers experience loss of work due to occupational injury each day, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 1991, AgrAbility has helped farmers with disabling conditions keep their farms and their livelihoods. Each farmer receives an assessment to discover what technology, equipment and other best management practices will keep them working and doing what they love.

Tenth Service Location Opens in Western Oakland County

In partnership with Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA), ESM recently opened its 10th service location at 1010 E. West Maple Road in Walled Lake, Michigan. The mission of the Walled Lake location is to better serve and provide much needed services to people in western Oakland County, an area considered underserved for mental health services. Serving a wide-region including the Huron Valley School District, the Walled Lake location is projected to serve more than 400 people in its first year and includes behavioral health services for both children and adults.

Centro Latino Program Experiences Rapid Growth

Based in Pontiac, the Centro Latino program provides a bridge to mental health and wellness for a growing Spanish speaking community. Since opening Easter Seals’ Pontiac office in 2013, the number of consumers served by Centro Latino has nearly doubled and they currently serve 140 Spanish speaking consumers ranging in age from 17 to 85. The services are open to anyone residing in Oakland County. Fourteen percent (14%) of consumers served by the Pontiac Office are Spanish speaking participants in the Centro Latino program. According to 2013 U.S. Census data, 16.53% of Pontiac’s residents, or 9,835 are Hispanic. In Oakland County, 3.7% of residents, or more than 45,000, are Hispanic.

For more information, www.easterseals.com/michigan