Potential Receives $15K Major Grant from The Provident Bank Foundation

Potential is pleased to share that it has been awarded a Major Grant in the amount of $15K from The Provident Bank Foundation to support its efforts to end the wait list for quality autism services.

Potential was selected to receive the grant based upon its continued efforts to make a meaningful impact in the Southeast region of Pennsylvania. It’s end-the-wait-list initiative aims to provide families in the region with access to quality autism services for their loved one.

“At Potential, we understand the despair that families feel when their loved one can’t access quality autism services,” says Potential Founder, President and CEO Kristine Quinby. “At our center alone there are 200 children who are waiting for access to services. Many of these have been waiting for a year or more.”

“We are pleased to help further valuable initiatives put forth by local organizations who are working every day to strengthen the lives of residents in our communities,” said Samantha Plotino, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. “We will continue to provide support to these important organizations that have identified an immediate need in the community and for the individuals they serve.”

Throughout the region, thousands of families are stuck in limbo, waiting for services for their children with autism. Their situation is a desperate one.

Autism is a developmental disability that affects how a person learns, communicates, and interacts socially. When a child with autism isn’t taught how to appropriately identify and express what they are feeling, the resulting behaviors can be unbearable. Severe tantrums that are inconsolable, problems with bladder control, unable to bear the touch of a loving parent, and even hitting or other forms of aggression are some of the ways a child may express their frustration. Without quality autism services, these behaviors often worsen and become harder and harder to treat.

Specifically, Potential will use funds from this grant to:

• Expand the reach of its center through the addition of new sites
• Recruit and train the staff needed to expand services in both the clinic and home setting (it costs $2,500 to recruit, hire and train a new employee to provide services)

Add specialized programs to meet the unique needs of these children