Carson Kolzig Foundation

The Carson Kolzig Foundation has been in existence since 2004 and has hosted the annual olie and stu's desert bash since 2000. This organization has raised over $1,000,000 in resources for autism education and program services throughout the region. The Carson Kolzig Foundation strives to empower and equip families and professionals with physical and emotional resources necessary to address the ongoing needs of children and families facing the challenges of autism. The responding to autism center has been open since march of 2010 and has already provided services to over 1,000 families in tri-cities and the surrounding areas. Many activities are free such as parent services, autism workshops, and education seminars. All made possible due to local fundraising efforts. Sibling groups, parent, and family support groups are all available to families at no charge. A parent resource coordinator and lending library are available to assist parents navigate the journey of having a child with autism. Autism screenings are also made available at exceptionally low cost, helping families determine for certain whether their child may be on the autism spectrum. It is estimated that services and therapies for a child on the autism spectrum cost between $30,000-$80,000 per year. All services at the responding to autism center are offered on a sliding scale as well as full scholarship programs for families that qualify. Programs have continued to "age and mature as children grow. The agency has secured carf accreditation through dshs and have provided these transition services to over 60 individuals (28 job placements, 14 teen evaluations and 18 clients established job retention plans). In 2018 there were 7 parent support groups hosted as well as 11 autism socials for young adults (with an average of 20 attendees at each). Autism screenings continue with nearly 80 families receiving evaluations that assist with the initial identification of autism