Connecting for Kids Receives $500 Grant from Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club for Wandering Safety Kits

Connecting for Kids has received a $500 grant from the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club to provide 20 Wandering Safety Kits to help area families protect their children from the dangers of wandering. Research suggests that more than half of all children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and many more children with other diagnoses, including Down syndrome, anxiety, ADHD and intellectual disabilities, engage in wandering behaviors.

“We distributed kits at our Meet and Greet event last year and so many families wanted one that we quickly ran out,” said Sarah Rintamaki, Executive Director of Connecting for Kids. “This year, we again wanted to make the Wandering Safety Kits available at this event as wandering is a major concern among our families.”

“We are grateful that the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club stepped in with a generous grant that enabled us to provide Wandering Safety Kits at this year’s event,” said Andrew Mangels, Executive Director of the Westlake Porter Public Library and Board President of Connecting for Kids. “The Safety Kit includes GE door/window alarms, an ID bracelet, four laminated stop sign visuals and guide with tips and information for parents.”