Program that Offers Locator Devices for Children and Young Adults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities
In honor of April as Autism Acceptance Month, the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) is highlighting the success of Project Lifesaver. The program, part of a partnership with Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), offers locator devices for children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities whose families are looking for an extra layer of security.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Project Lifesaver has been a wonderful resource that our Departments of Community Mental Health and Public Safety have coordinated to oversee bringing necessary protection to children and young adults with autism and developmental disabilities. In partnership with Westchester Jewish Community Services, we are able to provide parents and caregivers a little piece of mind with an additional tool at their disposal, if they need help locating a child or young adult in their care. Having every means available gives us one more layer of comfort, and I want to thank everyone involved in this program for keeping our most vulnerable safe.”
The Project Lifesaver service began in 2009, and is geared toward children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities who are living with their families, and who have a history or are at risk of wandering from their caregivers. Families with a child or young adult with autism or another developmental disability can obtain a locator device for their child so he/she can be located quickly and easily by County police, using the radio frequency device located in the device.
DCMH Commissioner Michael Orth said: “I want to thank the County Executive for the support that we have received to implement and operate such an important program. I encourage any family who has a child or young adult with autism or other developmental disabilities to reach out to us and sign up for Project Lifesaver. With the school year fast approaching having a transmitter that is easy to wear can give a little piece of mind.”
WJCS Program Manager Isabel Pettersen said: “WJCS trained staff works cooperatively with families to ensure that their child’s device is working effectively and battery changes are up to date. Each child will get a device that can be worn on either a wrist or ankle that emits a personalized radio-frequency locating signal, allowing West Co Public Safety officers to be able to find, identify and return a child who has wandered off. Our partnership with DCMH and Public Safety gives us the best chance to return a child who is prone to wandering. While there are never guarantees, Project Lifesaver has been one of the most successful programs at keeping children safe nationwide.”
Scarsdale resident Bonnie Clark, whose son is autistic, said: “As a parent of an autistic, non-verbal man, I have been with Project Lifesaver for the past 11 years. It has given me an extra piece of mind that my son will be found quickly by the police. He is unable to communicate, so this program can locate a person who may wander or get lost. I want to thank Westchester County and Project Lifesaver for continuing to support the program and to continue with programs that help all disabled individuals.”
In addition to the locator devices, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety includes autism awareness training for law enforcement recruits in its curriculum at the Police Training Academy. To learn more about Project LifeSaver and all the related programs, resources and support services for individuals and families that are offered by the Department of Community Mental Health visit: https://mentalhealth.westchestergov.com/intellectual-developmental-disabilities