Foundation/Grantor Name: Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Grant Amount: $265,000
Program Name: Diagnostic & Evaluation Clinic for Children with Special Needs
Nonprofit/Recipient Name: Arizona Autism United
Overview of Use of Funds: A $265,000 grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust will enable AZA United to begin providing evaluations and diagnostic services for children (ages 0-18) with developmental delays and special needs. Funds will be used as follows: $125,000 for Year One (2020-2021), primarily to support the hiring of a Clinical Director, as well as administrative support needs to prepare for implementation such as Medicaid contracting and credentialing; and $140,000 for Year Two (2021-2022), primarily to support the Clinical Director (also referred to as clinical psychologist or diagnostician) salary and Family Support Specialist salary.
Overview of Grant Objective/Impact: AZA United’s new Diagnostic and Evaluation Clinic will further establish AZA United as a unique local resource for families and by helping them to get a diagnosis faster without sitting on waitlists for months. The clinic will provide in-house evaluations and diagnostic services by a clinical psychologist working in partnership with the AZA United team to provide inclusive, efficient access to care. The addition of this clinic will make AZA United the first known provider in the Phoenix-Metro area to offer this comprehensive model of care for families.