Latest news with #EarlyChildhoodAutismProgram
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New autism life skills room at FSU Panama City mimics real-world apartment living
Florida State University Panama City's Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) clinic celebrated the grand opening of its new autism life skills room with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 17. The space, designed to resemble a modern apartment, offers students a real-world environment to practice essential daily tasks such as cooking meals, using a dishwasher, using a washing machine and dryer, folding clothes and making a bed. 'This new furnished, mock apartment will allow us to teach a variety of living and learning, home-based skills,' Amy Pollick, associate dean of academic affairs and the development director for ECAP, said in a press release. 'Having this space will allow us to enhance the reach of our program to meet the needs of older children, teens and young adults.' The project was made possible by a $100,000 donation from the Edward F. Hickey Jr. Memorial Trust, the press release stated. Hickey, a pioneer in the Panama City Beach business community beginning in the mid-20th century, died at age 94 in 2021. The same trust has provided 'second chance' scholarships to FSU PC students from Panama City Beach and renovated the Fun Room at ECAP, in addition to supporting other local non-profits, including Backpack Blessings and the Bay County Public Library. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Families and staff applaud FSU PC's latest step toward independence for all students
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local musicians use their talents to make a difference
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Some local musicians are using their talents to make a difference in the community. Last year, Samuel and Levi Merritt formed a blues & rock band. They call themselves 'Drive-By' because they played on their porch as people drove by, listening and honking their horns. The brothers wanted to support FSU Panama City's non-profit, Early Childhood Autism Program. ECAP provides in-home and in-clinic services for children with autism. On February 8th, Drive-By played at Angry Tuna to about 80 people, who left tips in person or by scanning a flow code with their phones. Florida State Panama City Hosts Annual Black History Event They raised $1,000 for the Butchikas Foundation Scholarship fund, which helps families in need with the costs for Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy. 'We just wanted to be a positive example and hopefully have a positive impact with the platform with this band. And that's what separates us. And so we wanted to do something for autism because we have a lot of friends and families who've been affected by that,' Samuel and Levi Merritt said. 'We also offer this scholarship so families don't have to worry about covering the price of their therapy. If they can't afford it, then they can apply for the scholarship. And our donors in the community, such as the Merritt family today, help to support that mission,' ECAP Assistant Director Kolton Sellers said. Leitz Music Company also donated a guitar to help raise money. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
