Young Man With Autism Graduates From Holmdel Police Internship

HOLMDEL, NJ — It's a problem that is increasingly faced by parents of children and teens with autism: Where will my child work when they grow up?

The Monmouth County Prosecutor is trying to find a solution.

Many people were brought to tears Wednesday morning in a ceremony held by Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni, in which five young men with special needs graduated from a first-of-its-kind program: They trained as cadets with various Monmouth County police departments.

The five young men all hail from Monmouth County, and they were placed for 16-week internships with law enforcement in Marlboro Twp., Red Bank, Eatontown, Holmdel and with the county prosecutor. The young men have a range of special needs, from autism to cerebral palsy. Working with the Arc of New Jersey, Monmouth County is the first in the state to offer such a training program. But Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who attended the ceremony today, said he hopes other departments in New Jersey will follow.

Travis White, 22, of Cliffwood was one of the graduates. White, who has autism, trained as a cadet with the Holmdel Police Department. For the past sixteen weeks, he worked in police headquarters four hours a day, four days a week.

"To us, he's just normal. That's just Travis," said Travis' father, Tyrone White, 58, who was beaming at the ceremony today. "But you do wonder where he's going to work as he grows up. That's why we're trying to teach him independence now. This program was great from day one. Right from the start, he was off and running. He really didn't want to miss one day at work."

Travis was assigned to work with two Holmdel police officers, Lt. Rob Philhower and Officer Tom Struble. He helped them on a wide range of jobs: Working as a bailiff in Holmdel municipal court, handing papers to the judge, shredding documents, scanning files and helping police with senior citizen and other community events.

His dad said he was struck by how dedicated the officers were.

"One day his ride didn't show up to take him to work, and (Officer Tom Struble) came to our house to check on him and make sure he was OK," he said. "I was really impressed with that. That was really beautiful."

Holmdel police said they were the ones who benefited from working with Travis every day.

"It gives you a broader view of how to interact with the community," said Struble. "Dealing with people who are developmentally disabled gives you a better outlook on life. Plus, just being with Travis puts a smile on your face."

Holmdel police also made their cadet work out for one hour each day in the department gym. Travis groaned when the officers brought it up Wednesday.

"That was by force, not by choice!" he said.

Travis admitted he was "nervous" on day one of the internship, but he found the work "interesting."

"He has absolutely grown from this," said his father. "He used to always hover around me, be right on my back, and he hated loud noises. But when we walked in here today (for the graduation ceremony), I turned around and he wasn't even behind me. He was off socializing with everyone he knows. It's helped with his social skills tremendously."

The cadet internship was not paid. But all the young men who completed it will receive up to five letters of recommendation from local judges, police chiefs and the county prosecutor. Travis' father said he had initially hoped his son would be hired by the Holmdel police department. Travis is currently interviewing to work in food service at a local Hackensack-Meridian hospital.

"He will get hired with those recommendation letters," said his father. "This program has been so great."

"In the words of the great Robert Hensel, we need to not focus on disabilities but rather capabilities," said Prosecutor Gramiccioni as the ceremony concluded Wednesday. "That is a great lesson that your sons have taught us. I can tell you our agencies are better off for having your sons for the past sixteen weeks. To serve something greater than yourself is the definition of public service."