WHO WE ARE
The Capital Area Autism Network is a community-wide collaboration of self-advocates, families, providers, and organizations that seeks to fill gaps in services for the Autistic and neurodivergent community through advocacy, awareness, amplification, education, and outreach. CAAN also seeks to encourage the development of new programs and resources through advancing current connections within the network and promoting innovative organizations and initiatives.
Our History
In 2016, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, in collaboration with SSA Consultants and the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, released a report – Comprehensive Study of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Resources in the Capital Region – highlighting the areas of greatest needs in the Autism community. The report also signaled the growing commitment of attention and resources warranted by the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses.
The report found that the “single-most common frustration expressed by parents and providers [is] the lack of coordination within the ASD service provider community.” CAAN was created to address that need and to help find solutions for missing resources.
Initially, CAAN established five task forces intended to facilitate communication across every aspect of community life. Those five task forces included: Medical & Therapy Services; Awareness & Family Support; Transition & Workforce Development Opportunities; Development of the Professional Workforce; Advancement of Educational Opportunities.
CAAN gained 501(c)3 status in 2019.
As the COVID-19 pandemic upended everyone’s lives, the Network was no different and significant momentum was lost as we all grappled with the new reality of life during a global emergency. After emerging from this imposed respite, however, the focus of CAAN was tightened, and a deeper vision emerged.
“The single-most common frustration expressed by parents and providers [is] the lack of coordination within the ASD service provider community.”
Where we’re headed
The Network is focused on advancing connections that are already serving the Autistic community and fostering new collaborations. We do this through our focus on advocacy, amplifying self-advocate voices, bringing awareness to the issues facing Autistic people, educating the broader community, and outreach.
We focus on bridging gaps that face Autistic and neurodivergent people throughout their life, including as they reach adulthood. While early intervention is a vital step towards independence, as people transition out of school, it becomes much harder to find and navigate available supports and services especially for the next stages of life like independent living, entering higher education, and finding a job.
CAAN is committed to promoting an inclusive community throughout the Capital Area that allows people of all abilities to live their most fulfilling lives.