NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2025
NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS, a work-based scholarship opportunity for students enrolled in a health and human services-related field of study, with an interest in supporting neurodivergent individuals as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), opens application for its third year.
Advertisement
NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- NEXT for AUTISM (NEXT), the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative initiatives, announces its third year of funding for its NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS work-based scholarship program.
Advertisement
The NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS program provides financial scholarships to qualified students while simultaneously ensuring new Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) enter the workplace to support autistic adults. Scholarship recipients will also benefit from a peer network of other FELLOWS recipients at their school, ongoing support from the NEXT for AUTISM team, and the opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience as a DSP. This format will improve upon their experience and performance as they embark on their important work as DSPs supporting neurodiverse adults.
The need for qualified DSPs is high, given a waitlist for services and support that exceeds 482,000 adults with autism and intellectual disabilities. With more than 5.4 million autistic adults in the U.S., there are more autistic adults who need services than there are qualified DSPs to support them. As the need for DSPs and neurodivergent professionals continues to increase, it's anticipated that there will be seven million vacant DSP job openings by 2029. Now is the time to help pave the way for a positive future—for work as a DSP and to ensure meaningful support and mentorship for an autistic adult.
"As the NEXT for AUTISM program enters its third year, we are excited to announce new educational partnerships and the inclusion of graduate students in our applicant pool, broadening the pool for applicants and future support professionals entering the workforce," said Abigayle Jayroe, NEXT's Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations.
Education partners:
Community partners:
This year's partner expansion will help us meet the critical demand for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in key areas, including New York City, ensuring that more students are placed in these essential roles.
WHO SHOULD APPLY (see application for complete details and requirements):
APPLY TODAY:
ABOUT NEXT FOR AUTISM
NEXT for AUTISM is the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative initiatives.
Media Contact
Holly Wainwright, NEXT for AUTISM, 1 203-667-4734, [email protected], NEXTforAUTISM.org
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/next-for-autism-fellows-work-based-scholarship-program-announces-new-education-partnerships-to-provide-more-dsp-support-for-autistic-adults-302351580.html
SOURCE NEXT for AUTISM
