Batchelor Foundation Awards Challenge Grant to Els for Autism for Healthcare Programs

$100,000 Grant Supports Nurses Station and Healthcare Training Program

Jupiter, Fla. (March 7, 2016) – The Els for Autism Foundation announced that it has received a challenge grant for $100,000 from The Batchelor Foundation to support its nurses station and healthcare training program. The funds will be applied towards health services for students attending The Learning Center at The Els Center of Excellence, as well a training program for nursing students, nurses and parents.

“Research shows that children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience complex health needs that pose challenges to parents, school staff and medical professionals,” said Dr. Marlene Sotelo, Program Director at the Els for Autism Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to The Batchelor Foundation for this generous grant, which, when matched, will provide nursing services for students as well help increase knowledge of ASD and related care for local families and nursing professionals.

The Els for Autism Foundation operates The Els Center of Excellence, a 26-acre facility located in Jupiter, Florida, which houses a public charter school and provides a variety of services for children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families including global outreach, early intervention, behavioral, and arts programs. The Center also provides internships for college students and outreach conferencing services to enable professionals from the global autism community to gather and disseminate best practices.

The funding deadline for the match is August 31, 2016.

Established in 1990, The Batchelor Foundation supports numerous programs, organizations and projects benefiting the environment, including research and education programs and those focused animals, wildlife and natural resources.

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The Els for Autism Foundation

The Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by PGA TOUR golfer Ernie Els and his wife Liezl (residents of Jupiter, FL) shortly after their son Ben was diagnosed with autism. The Foundation’s overarching mission is to help people on the autism spectrum fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive and rewarding lives. Els for Autism has offices in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, and the UK. To help fulfill its mission, Els for Autism is building a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence in Jupiter, FL, with a local, national and global reach and is in the middle of a capital campaign to finance the development. The first two buildings of the Center – the Auditorium Building and The Lower School opened on August 17, 2015.

Donations can be made online at www.e4aannualgiving.org and by check (made payable to ‘Els for Autism’) and addressed to: Els for Autism, The Els Center of Excellence, 18370 Limestone Creek Rd, Jupiter, FL 33458.