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PARC Launches Region's Largest Comprehensive Autism Library Collection
Grand opening and ribbon cutting set for Friday, January 9
With a legacy of 55 years providing exceptional services and extensive programs which offer new and exciting initiatives to participants and family members, PARC is pleased to announce the creation of the region's largest, comprehensive library collection dedicated to Autism. With over 300 books, dvds, magazines, and periodicals, the Autism Resource Center Library will open officially to the public on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Mahopac Public Library, 668 Route 6, Mahopac. A ribbon cutting, celebrating the new collection, will be held at 4pm.
The library collection marks the successful completion of phase two of the Regional Autism Resource Center. Phase one, the center's website, www.AutismResourceCenter.info, a one-stop clearinghouse of information related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), including autism, pervasive developmental disabilities (PDD), and Asperger's Syndrome, launched to the public in March 2008.
Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disabilities that cause significant impairments in social interaction and communication. The ability of individuals with ASDs to think and learn ranges from gifted to severely challenged. And rates for those affected by autism are changing rapidly. Autism now affects 1 in 150 children, and 1 in 100 male children. "PARC has always been at the forefront of advocacy and services for people with all developmental disabilities," said Susan Limongello, PARC's Executive Director. "With the numbers of children being diagnosed with autism and thousands of people living with autism in New York state alone, we knew it was time to have a centralized place for information, assistance and hope for families and people with Autism." Recognized as a 501 c (3) in 1954, PARC provides programming and advocacy for over 650 children and adults with developmental disabilities within Putnam County and in southern Dutchess and northern Westchester counties. PARC's extensive autism services include an autism-focused preschool in Mahopac, teenage educational services and support, workplace training and employment services, vocational training, and supported apartments and community residences.
The library collection and the website are just the first two components of the PARC-sponsored Regional Autism Resource Center. In the coming months, center staff will work to create support groups for parents and caregivers, and an annual, regional conference related to Autism care, advancements, research, information, and more. The library collection is available by borrowing at the Mahopac Public Library or by using inter-library loan from any library in the Mid- Hudson Library System. For library hours or to search for autism-related books and publications, log onto www.mahopaclibrary.org
The center received start-up funding from Provident Bank, The Thomas & Agnes Carvel Foundation, Senator Vincent Leibell/NYS Senate, and the Gannett Foundation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism, which is classified as a developmental disability, is growing at a startling rate of 10-17% a year, with the prevalence level potentially reaching four million Americans in the next decade.
For more information about the Autism Resource Center and the center's website, www.AutismResourceCenter.info, please call 845-278-PARC or log onto our website, www.PutnamARC.org.
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