Midland County Hospital District Police Department becomes second law enforcement agency in Texas to earn Certified Autism Center designation
Mar. 6—MIDLAND — The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awarded the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation to Midland County Hospital District Police Department, the second law enforcement agency in Texas to earn the prestigious credential. To earn the CAC certification, at least 80% of the department completed autism-specific training, equipping them with the skills and resources to best communicate with, understand, and support autistic and sensory-sensitive community members.
"I am proud of our team's dedication and commitment to become a Certified Autism Center," Steven McNeill, Chief of Police at Midland County Hospital District Police Department, said in a news release. "This is just one more step to achieving our mission of leading healthcare for greater Midland."
"This certification highlights Midland County Hospital District Police Department's dedication to serving every person in their community," Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, said in the release. "IBCCES is proud to certify the department, and we look forward to seeing the impact this training and certification will have on every individual they work with, especially autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families."
For more than two decades, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.
To further support inclusivity efforts, Midland County District Hospital District Police Department will be featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.
IBCCES also provides access to resources such as CertifiedAutismCenter.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals.
Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center requirements.
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Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Associated Press
High Point Arts Council Renews Autism and Sensory Training, Maintains Designation as a Certified Autism Center™
'High Point Arts Council (HPAC) constantly seeks new ways to expand our arts programs and educational offerings. HPAC celebrates entering its third year as a Certified Autism Center™!'— Beverly Lewis, HPAC director of operations and programs HIGH POINT, NC, UNITED STATES, May 28, 2025 / / -- High Point Arts Council (HPAC) renews its Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) credential, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Renewing the designation included staff undergoing updated autism and sensory training to help them understand how to best welcome and support visitors. 'High Point Arts Council (HPAC) constantly seeks new ways to expand our arts programs and educational offerings. HPAC celebrates entering its third year as a Certified Autism Center™! This is exciting news!' says High Point Arts Council director of operations and programs, Beverly Lewis. 'Sensory-friendly programs are designed for individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities, like ADHD and Alzheimer's. Our team is trained through IBCCES and is eager to continue providing sensory-friendly programs. HPAC strives to keep art alive and accessible while enriching the lives of our community members. We are taking intentional steps to ensure the arts can be experienced with joy.' 'Renewing the CAC designation proves High Point Arts Council's dedication and ongoing efforts to create a space that is welcoming and inclusive to every individual,' says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. 'We are proud to continue our partnership with the arts council, and look forward to seeing the continued impact this certification will have on both staff and visitors.' HPAC makes efforts to consider various guests' needs in the development and design of events, programs, and activities. They recently included their Page to Stage Children's theatre, which is a sensory program for literacy. In June, the Vinmark International Dance company will showcase a multicultural dance performance with sensory elements. HPAC's summer concert series makes consideration to provide guests with a designated calm area. HPAC's certification renewal continues to play a part in High Point's designation as a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD). The CAD designation is given to communities with a multitude of trained and certified lodging, recreation and entertainment options that are accessible and accommodating to autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families. To learn about all the certified options High Point has to offer, visit For more than two decades, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact. To further support inclusivity efforts, High Points Art Council is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone. IBCCES also provides access to resources such as and free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements. ### About High Point Arts Council Since 1962, the Arts Council has served the arts needs of the community. Our mission is to uplift, unite, and provide an umbrella of support to the arts community. Our goal is threefold: 1. To uplift the creative community by advocating for the arts at a local, state, and national level. 2. To unite the residents of the greater High Point area by providing accessible and inclusive arts programming. 3. To provide an umbrella of support to the creative community through financial assistance, professional development opportunities, and encouraging artistic collaboration. About IBCCES Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For over two decades, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 111 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification. In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors. IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, and – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other. Meredith Tekin IBCCES +1 904-508-0135 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Fox News
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- Fox News
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Previous studies have also shown that people qualifying as LMHR have similar levels of coronary plaque to otherwise comparable groups that have normal LDL levels, "underscoring that ketogenic diet-induced LDL increases may not indicate a higher risk of coronary plaque," the researcher said. Dr. Nick Norwitz, a study leader and independent researcher at the University of Oxford, noted that this is the first study to isolate very high LDL and ApoB as risk factors for heart disease. "All other human studies have included populations with metabolic dysfunction or individuals with congenital genetic causes of high LDL," he told Fox News Digital. The results seem to contradict what most clinicians would have predicted and what doctors are taught in medical training, according to Norwitz. "While these data do not prove the conventional understanding is 'wrong,' per se, they do suggest the conventional model has a large blind spot." According to Norwitz, cardiac imaging, including a CAC score, has "far more value" than cholesterol levels in predicting plaque progression. "Thus, CAC scores can be used to risk-stratify patients and help individualize care," he told Fox News Digital. Scher noted that "ketogenic therapy" can be effective in treating certain metabolic-related conditions, but some people are afraid of continuing a keto diet because of their cholesterol. "This study provides support that they do not necessarily need to stop the diet or treat their cholesterol — rather, they can work with their healthcare team for a more individualized and appropriate cardiac workup," he advised. Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician and diabetes specialist in Tennessee, was not involved in the research but shared his thoughts on what he described as a "groundbreaking" study. "The study found no association between LDL-C, ApoB and progression of coronary plaque over one year using high-resolution CT angiography," he said to Fox News Digital. "Instead, the strongest predictor of plaque progression was pre-existing plaque, not cholesterol levels — leading researchers to conclude that 'plaque begets plaque, ApoB does not.'" This is the first prospective trial of its kind in a unique population often labeled 'high-risk' by traditional guidelines, Berry said, raising important questions about how cardiovascular risk is assessed in the context of low-carb, high-fat diets. "The obvious implication is that if very high ApoB levels is not a good predictor of heart attack risk in this specific group of people, then is it a good predictor in any group of people?" he said. "Or is it, as I suspect, just the latest popular lab test being used to scare people away from eating a proper human diet rich in saturated fat?" 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"But for now, I hope doctors will embrace this research and treat this specific population of people differently from the rest of their patients, understanding the unique physiologic state of ketosis and the metabolic benefits it provides," he said. For more Health articles, visit In addition to more studies assessing risk in this population, Norwitz said the team hopes to further investigate the mechanisms of the lean mass hyper-responder (LMHR) phenotype. "This is a remarkable group of humans demonstrating remarkable physiology," he added.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Midland County Hospital District Police Department becomes second law enforcement agency in Texas to earn Certified Autism Center designation
Mar. 6—MIDLAND — The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awarded the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation to Midland County Hospital District Police Department, the second law enforcement agency in Texas to earn the prestigious credential. To earn the CAC certification, at least 80% of the department completed autism-specific training, equipping them with the skills and resources to best communicate with, understand, and support autistic and sensory-sensitive community members. "I am proud of our team's dedication and commitment to become a Certified Autism Center," Steven McNeill, Chief of Police at Midland County Hospital District Police Department, said in a news release. "This is just one more step to achieving our mission of leading healthcare for greater Midland." "This certification highlights Midland County Hospital District Police Department's dedication to serving every person in their community," Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, said in the release. "IBCCES is proud to certify the department, and we look forward to seeing the impact this training and certification will have on every individual they work with, especially autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families." For more than two decades, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact. To further support inclusivity efforts, Midland County District Hospital District Police Department will be featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone. IBCCES also provides access to resources such as and free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center requirements.
