April 2024 | ISSUE 200

AZA Designated an "Autism Center of Excellence"

We are pleased to share that Arizona Autism United has received the unique designation as a Mercy Care Center of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorder for our work in serving vulnerable members of the community and implementing evidence-based practices to improve clinical outcomes. AZA United is among only four organizations to currently hold this distinction and was the only organization that was newly added as an Autism Center of Excellence in 2024. Mercy Care is one of the largest Medicaid health plans in Arizona.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by Mercy Care as their newest recipient of the Autism Center of Excellence designation,” said Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin, AZA United’s Founder & CEO. “Mercy Care has been an important partner of ours for many years as we have worked together to improve individualized services for thousands of Arizona families affected by autism. Our focus at AZA United is to elevate the standard of care through innovative and evidence-based treatments, and to provide comprehensive services for all ages and levels of need to help each child, individual and family achieve their own personalized definition of success.”

Click here to read the full press release.

To learn more about services provided by AZA United, visit the link below.

Thank You Outgoing Board Members

Arizona Autism United would like to express our deepest gratitude for our outgoing board members Laurent Badoux, Lynda McKay, and Neely Burkhardt, who are completing their service terms. We are beyond grateful for the countless hours these committed leaders have invested in our organization and the welfare of the families we serve! For several years, these outstanding individuals volunteered their valuable time and expertise to lead AZA United with integrity, dedicating their energy to help chart our past, present and future. Pictured above from left to right: Laurent Badoux, autism dad and labor law attorney; Lynda McKay, a Human Resources professional; and Neely Burkhardt, autism mom and a marketing leader in the healthcare industry. It takes great leadership and a heart of gold to build a valuable community organization, and each of you have brought an enormous amount of both to AZA!

As a nonprofit organization, the Board of Directors is AZA United’s volunteer governing body. Individuals who sit on the board are responsible for overseeing the organization’s activities and priorities. Board members meet periodically to discuss and vote on the affairs of the organization to ensure we are doing everything we can to achieve our mission. Meet the rest of our amazing Board Members here.



Take Action for Autism - Shop at Bashas' in April

There's still time to stop at Bashas' this April! Arizona Autism United has teamed up with Bashas' Supermarkets and other nonprofit organizations--Autism Society of Southern Arizona, First Place AZ, and Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)-- to Take Action for Autism. We are proud to celebrate April as Autism Awareness Month by raising understanding and acceptance of autism across Arizona. Your donation at checkout will help AZA United and our partnering nonprofits to continue our work in communities across the state!

Help us spread the word, share this article and our social media posts with your contacts! Let's shop at Bashas' and support local families living with autism!

How AAC Devices Benefit Children with Autism

For parents of autistic children, fostering effective communication can be a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices emerge as invaluable tools in this process, offering pathways for expression and connection where verbal communication may be limited. In this blog, we explore 5 ways in which AAC devices aid children with autism: facilitating expression, enhancing social interaction, supporting language development, reducing frustration, and promoting independence. 

To continue reading this blog post, visit the button below.



Other Announcements & Resources

Support Group for Spanish-Speaking Families

Our Grupo de Apoyo Unidos en Bienestar (Therapeutic Support Group in Spanish for parents) will meet again on Thursday evening, April 25, at 5:30 PM and Wednesday morning, May 8, at 9:30 AM. For more information contact Apoyo@AZAunited.org or 602-932-2227.

Vote the Spectrum

Vote the Spectrum is a voter registration movement designed to empower and amplify the voices of adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (A/I/DD) and those who care about them. To learn more about this incredible organization and register to vote, visit their website here.

Job Opportunities with Team AZA

AZA United is a growing organization and we are always hiring great people to join our team! Click on any of the featured jobs below to learn more or view all job openings here.

ABA Therapist / Behavior Technician

Our ABA Treatment Services program is growing across the valley! Positions can be full-time or part-time, either in-home or at one of our children's therapy clinics in Mesa & Avondale.

Direct Support Provider - Habilitation, Respite & Attendant Care

If you or someone you know is interested in providing in-home care services for individuals with developmental disabilities, use the link above to apply for a position as a Direct Support Provider. This role is available statewide and is a great opportunity to gain experience and make a difference.

Parent Provider - Habilitation & Attendant Care

AZA United helps parents become paid providers for their own child, where parents are able to provide Habilitation and Attendant Care Services. For more information on if you or someone you know qualifies for this position and how to apply, please click the link above.

Arizona Autism United | 602-773-5773 | www.AZAunited.org