Drive for Autism Awards Grant to MUJ Developmental Center

The New Providence-based Morris-Union Jointure Commission, which operates a facility in Warren, is one of six recipients of grants by the Drive for Autism Foundation in recognition of its programs providing education and training to children with autism spectrum disorders.

The Jointure's Developmental Learning Center, at Mountainview and King George roads, offers a residential learning environment for special needs students. The facility houses a "Main Street" with banks, stores and shops enabling students to gain work  experience. Students can also learn to care for their own apartment and laundry through the center's residential facilities.

The center also offers speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, adaptive physical education, as well as art and music instruction, and swimming  

Grant recipients use money to fund Health and Fitness Programs, Social Skills Programs, educational curriculum and teacher training, a van for community trips and transportation to job training centers, laptop computers, computer touch screens, White Boards, iPads, video projectors and educational toys and games.
is pleased to announce the distribution of six grants to school based programs providing education and training to children with autism spectrum disorders.

Other grant winners this year were the Union County Educational Services Foundation/Crossroads School, of Westfield; Educational Partnership for Instructing Children, of Paramus; Eden II/Genesis Programs, of Staten Island, N.Y.; The Children’s Institute, of Verona; and the Seton Foundation/Mother
Francheska Elementary School, of Staten Island, N.Y.

Funding for the grants comes from fundraisers held by the Drive for Autism Foundation, including the Drive for Autism Golf Outing, which has been held since 2002 has raised and distributed over $400,000 to local school programs. Applications for grants are taken throughout the fourth quarter, and the funds are distributed in by the end of the calendar year. The next golf outing is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2012, at Royce Brook Golf Course, in Hillsborough.

For additional information, visit the Drive for Autism website or call 908-665-8068.

Submitted by Thomas Trezza.