Applied Behavioral Therapies, Inc., a provider of applied behavior analytic treatment for children and families affected by autism and other developmental disabilities, will host its Sprout Film Festival fundraising event at 10:30 am on July 11, 2010 at Magnin Auditorium at the Skirball Cultural Center. (http://bit.ly/sproutfilmfest)
The Sprout Film Festival will kick-off with an introduction by Applied Behavioral Therapies co-founders Dan and Heather Powell. The event will include a two-hour film screening highlighting issues facing people with developmental disabilities and the many ways the population enhances our lives and the community, followed by an outdoor reception with complimentary snacks and beverages.
Tickets prices start at a $20 donation and are on sale through Applied Behavioral Therapies’ event website .
Applied Behavioral Therapies will donate 100% of proceeds to Achievable, a non-profit organization providing a vital support system for people with developmental disabilities. The funds will directly support necessary services that may otherwise be unavailable.
“Applied Behavioral Therapies’ goal in hosting the Sprout Film Festival is multifaceted,†said co-founder Heather Powell. “In addition to raising money, we realize the significance of breaking down stereotypes, promoting acceptance and showing true portrayals of individuals with developmental disabilities.â€
Achievable’s initiatives need support more than ever. The recent California budget cuts and constraints are limiting essential programs and services provided by agencies and non-profits throughout the state. They helped about 1,300 individuals just last year.
Without Achievable’s aid, Kelvin, a 43 year-old man with Down’s syndrome and severe vision loss, would not have received glasses his optometrist recommended. Medi-Cal denied coverage for the claim. Achievable provided Kelvin with funding to for the glasses that will help him lead a more productive, independent lifestyle.
Beyond budget cuts, fundraising is even more critical considering the growing number of people with developmental disabilities. According to the 2007 California Department of Developmental Services Report Index autism rates grew at a rate of 253% during an 8-year period, mental retardation grew at 36%, epilepsy at 28%, and cerebral palsy at 27%.
About Applied Behavioral Therapies
Applied Behavioral Therapies is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families affected by autism and other developmental disabilities through individualized, comprehensive, and scientifically validated treatment.
About ABT Founders
The husband-wife team has more than 20 years of combined experience in the field of developmental disabilities and therapy. Mr. and Mrs. Powell hold professional affiliations with the California Association of Applied Behavior Analysis, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Association for Behavior Analysis International.
Clinical Director Daniel Powell, M.A., MFT, BCBA, has extensive experience providing therapeutic services in both the public and private sectors. Mr. Powell’s professional experience includes providing psychotherapeutic services to youth and their families in a psychiatric hospital setting. For the past eight years, Mr. Powell has dedicated his professional work to providing services to children and families impacted with autism and other developmental disabilities. Mr. Powell currently serves as the co-chair on the ethics committee for The Southern California Consortium of Behavior Analysts.
Operations Director Heather Powell, M.A., has served individuals with disabilities in both the public and private sectors for more than 10 years. Her work includes teaching elementary special education, providing behavioral services to children in both home and school settings, and serving as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) for a large non-profit organization. In addition, her professional experience includes managing the operations of various social service agencies.
About Achievable
Achievable was established in 1996 in response to the financial challenges and gaps in costly services facing individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Achievable serves as a “safety net” to provide crucial resources and services to individuals with developmental disabilities when limited or no funding is available.
About the Sprout Film Festival
The Sprout Film Festival was founded in 2003 and is programmed and supported by Sprout, a NYC-based non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing innovative programming to people with developmental disabilities. Sprout has been making videos related to the field of developmental disabilities since 1995 and has witnessed the myriad benefits these videos have for this population and the general public. In 2006 the Sprout Touring Film Festival was founded, enabling agencies throughout the US and Canada to design their own film festival.
