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a •4�f�, f <br />e °>; F1.cs4` 5` <br />^#o <br />City of Sunny Isles Beach <br />18070 Collins Avenue <br />Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160 <br />(305) 947-0606 City Hall <br />(305) 949-3113 Fax <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners <br />FROM: Jeniffer Viscarra, Commissioner <br />DATE: May 20, 2021 <br />RE: Direction to City Manager to Enter into Agreements for a Citywide <br />Autism and Neurodiverse Inclusion Program <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />This Resolution is being presented for your approval. <br />REASONS: <br />In 2020, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the <br />prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder ("ASD") is currently 1:54 for 8-year-old children. <br />According to the advocacy organization Autism Speaks, more than 500,000 young adults with <br />autism will age out of guaranteed services in the next decade. There are 7,500 individuals <br />with autism registered with the University of Miami -Nova Southeastern University Center for <br />Autism and Related Disabilities ("CARD"), and CARD estimates that there may be as many as <br />50,000 individuals with ASD in Miami -Dade County. CARD provides services throughout the <br />County for children and adults who have ASD, in addition to other disorders that may co -exist <br />with autism. CARD's primary services include client and family support services, <br />programmatic technical assistance and consultation, and public education and awareness <br />activities. <br />The City of Sunny Isles Beach and CARD wish to collaborate with one another to establish a <br />Citywide program focused on ASD and neurodiverse inclusion. A collaboration between the <br />City and CARD should include the creation of autism friendly spaces and a training program <br />for City staff that interact with the public so that staff has a greater understanding of the <br />special needs of individuals with ASD of all ages. The City's Cultural & Community Services <br />Department, which includes the City's park and transit staff, could benefit from an inclusion <br />program, and CARD can develop social learning tools that assist individuals with ASD within <br />Item Number: 10.A <br />