Agency Details:

Pacific Autism Center for Education's (PACE)mission is to provide high quality programs to individuals with Autism/developmental disabilities so they may experience the satisfaction and fulfillment that accompany learning, self-expression, self-care, productive work and interpersonal community experiences.

Pacific Autism Center for Education’s(PACE) vision is to be the world leader connecting a full range of services to personas with Autism and their families.

Description:
Pacific Autism Center for Education(PACE)provides for the educational & residential needs of individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. Specialists in speech and language development, occupational therapy, behavior management and special education instruction work as a team to serve the diverse needs of our clients. Research has shown that people with learning disabilities who are enrolled in effective programs at an early age are better equipped to achieve academic, social and workplace success, allowing them to reach their full potential and to lead rewarding lives.

History:
Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) was founded in 1989 by a group of concerned parents and special education teachers as a private, nonprofit 501c(3) organization to fulfill the critical need of providing education and care for individuals and their familes that are affected by Autism and similar developmental disabilities. Many students were placed in inappropriate classroom settings and many of our residential clients had previously been housed in State Hospitals and Development Centers. The state system was clearly challenged to provide more than maintenance to the ongoing needs of a developmentally disabled person. Without an encouraging, attentive environment, the clients’ ability to gain the skills necessary for achieving full integration into their community was doubtful. After decades of futile attempts to work within the traditional system, this group of innovative community leaders developed programs customized to each individual client.

Contact people:

Bridget Holian, Annual Fund Manager, (phone), (email) Karen Kennan, Development Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

1880 Pruneridge Ave. Santa Clara, CA 95050 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.pacificautism.org

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	No others
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	Yes

Last updated on January 8, 2009