LOGAN and CAPS team up to bring services to Elkhart County for children on the autism spectrum

ELKHART, Ind. -- A new partnership will provide care for young children on the Autism spectrum.

The local nonprofits CAPS and LOGAN are joining forces in a big way at the Child and Parent Services center in Elkhart.

“This is the first time won't be able to have a place that we can call home here in Elkhart County,” said Matt Harrington the LOGAN Community Resources President & C.E.O.

LOGAN, which supports individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism, has found its new home within the CAPS center in Elkhart.

"Together were able to combine our resources and reduce barriers and access to services to make sure the families that really need us find us,” added Harrington.

Within the walls of the new specialized classroom, LOGAN will provide individualized programming for children up to 5-years-old who have been recommended by CAPS staff members.

"We know that kids with autism are at increased risk for neglecting abuse, and we also know that our younger kids are at higher risk by age and stage,” said Rebecca Shetler Fast CAPS President & C.E.O.

CAPS said the services are crucial within the community, as children with developmental disabilities are 3 times more likely to experience abuse and neglect.

"So, this really fills an important gap and provides an important service in our fabric of child abuse prevention in our community,” added Shetler.

Alissa O’Hara, who will oversee the site, said catching signs of Autism early is key.

"There is a lot of research that the earlier you get this intervention the better the outcomes will be,” said O’Hara.

The two organizations said it is a collaboration that just makes sense.

"We have similar missions that we both wanna help families of Elkhart County and it's really about supporting one another work and doing it in a collaborative way,” said Harrington.

The hiring process is still underway, as they begin to evaluate children to be assigned to caseloads.