Autism Certification Matching Grant
The Chamber and the county are offering a matching grant program for businesses to become Certified Autism Centers.
A Certified Autism Center is a business or organization that has successfully completed extensive training from leading autism experts and has designed specialized programs or accommodations for guests with autism and other sensory disorders. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) offers the certification and provides the training, onsite review and ongoing learning opportunities for businesses.
The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is leading an initiative to achieve Certified Autism Destination status for St. Johns County, ensuring that the area offers multiple certified options for entertainment, recreation and lodging.
This grant will help businesses make necessary accommodations and train customer-facing staff to better serve neurodiverse individuals, including guests with autism and sensory needs. The certification signifies a commitment to inclusivity for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families, and ensures the community is a welcoming destination for all visitors.
How the Autism Certifcation Grant Works
- The business will apply for the grant.
- The Chamber Grant Review Committee will review the application and determine eligibility; the business will be notified when the review is complete.
- Once selected, the business will receive a quote for certification from IBCCES and determine whether or not to accept.
- Upon completing certification, the business will pay its full invoice to IBCCES.
- The business may then request reimbursement of 50% of the certification cost by providing proof of payment to the Chamber.
- The Chamber will review the reimbursement request and upon approval, the Chamber will issue an invoice to the County and issue reimbursement to the business.