Northeast Florida Advocates

10/15/2026

OKAY FRIENDS… IT’S TIME TO SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

Calling ALL Northeast Florida families, providers and organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)!

Our Annual Sensory-Friendly Fall Festival is happening November 7th at Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres!

🌽 A PRIVATE event! The farm will be CLOSED to the general public so our families can enjoy a fun, welcoming, sensory-friendly day on the farm!

🎟️ JUST $5 PER PERSON!
💛 ALL ages, ALL abilities, ALL stages of life WELCOME!

And the BEST part?! Your ticket donations supports not one, not two, but THREE local organizations making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities right here in our community! 🙌

🌻 Corn maze, farm animals, pumpkins, family fun and SO MUCH MORE!

📅 November 7 | 10 AM–1 PM

📣 PROVIDERS, SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILIES!
❤️ LIKE IT!
💬 COMMENT!
🏷️ TAG YOUR FRIENDS!
📲 SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

Let’s fill this farm with smiles, inclusion and COMMUNITY!

🎟️ REGISTRATION:

Sensory-Friendly Fall Fest • Nov. 7 • 10AM–1PM • $5 donation/person • Registration required • Closed to public • No refunds or exchanges.

10/02/2026

🎟️🍂 TICKETS ARE LIVE! 🍂🎟️

Registration is officially OPEN for our 2026 Sensory-Friendly Fall Festival at Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres! 🎃🌽

📅 November 7 | 10 AM–1 PM
🎟️ $5 donation per person
❤️ Private sensory-friendly event — closed to the general public

Spaces are limited, so grab your tickets while they’re available!

👇 REGISTER HERE:

Sensory-Friendly Fall Fest • Nov. 7 • 10AM–1PM • $5 donation/person • Registration required • Closed to public • No refunds or exchanges.

10/01/2026

About to go LIVE from Parent to Parent Meeting

10/01/2026

✨ SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS FOR TONIGHT! ✨

But we are still SO excited for our monthly Parent-to-Parent Meeting tonight at 6 PM!

We have a change in guest speaker and you’re in for a special treat! 💙

Mrs. Holly with Oasis Sensory Hub will be joining us with her brand-new mobile sensory trailer an exciting new addition right here in Nassau County!

Come meet Holly, hear the “why” behind her Oasis, and get a firsthand look at this incredible mobile sensory space that will be available to support future sensory-friendly outings and events in our community.

🌧️ Rain or shine, we’ll be there at 6 PM sharp!

And come hungry! We’ll have Publix subs, fresh fruit, cookies, snacks & more for dinner. 🥪🍪🍓

Bring a friend, tag a friend, and come spend the evening with other parents who get it. 💙

See you tonight!

10/01/2026

🍂🎃 Happy October & Happy Fall! 🎃🍂

Tonight’s the night! Tickets for our annual Sensory-Friendly Fall Festival go LIVE tonight at 8:00 PM!

🎟️ $5 per person
🍁 Registration is required to attend
🔒 This is a private sensory-friendly event closed to the general public

🔗 Ticket link will be posted at 8 PM tonight!

We can’t wait to welcome our sensory-friendly families back to the farm! 🌽🎃🍂

09/27/2026

Time for Toddler Playgroup is this Friday, October 2!!!!

🎃 October Time for Toddlers! 👻Join us for some Halloween fun! We’ll be creating a Halloween craft and welcoming a special guest from Oasis Sensory Hub, who…

09/17/2026

💙 AUTISM CARE TODAY GRANT — AT A GLANCE

Do you have a child or family member diagnosed with Autism and need help paying for therapy, equipment, safety supports, communication tools, or other autism-related needs?

Autism Care Today (ACT Today) provides grants to families across the United States, typically ranging from $100–$5,000.

📅 NEXT APPLICATION WINDOW
October 1–31, 2026
Families should be notified by December 20.

Applications are accepted quarterly:
• January 1–31
• April 1–30
• July 1–31
• October 1–31

💙 WHO CAN APPLY?
• Families throughout the United States affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder
• There is no stated household income cutoff for the regular grant
• Families earning under $100,000 annually are reviewed first
• Families with multiple children diagnosed with ASD are also given priority consideration
• If you have more than one child with autism, you must submit a separate application for each child

💰 HOW MUCH CAN YOU REQUEST?
Typical grants range from $100 to $5,000.

You may request funding for ONE item/treatment/service per application.

📋 GET THESE 3 DOCUMENTS READY BEFORE APPLYING:

1️⃣ Proof of Autism Diagnosis
Documentation of the autism diagnosis AND recommended treatment/support from a doctor OR the child’s IEP.

2️⃣ Proof of Cost
Documentation showing exactly how much the requested service or item costs. This could include an invoice, provider documentation, website printout, brochure, quote, etc.

3️⃣ Proof of Family Income
Most recent tax return and/or documentation of other income such as SSI, SDI, child support, etc.

🧩 WHAT CAN THE GRANT HELP PAY FOR?

ACT Today funds effective treatments, assessments, and needed life supports related to autism. Examples listed by the organization include:

• ABA/behavioral therapy
• Speech or occupational therapy
• Assistive technology
• AAC/communication devices
• iPads/communication software
• Sensory equipment
• GPS tracking/safety devices
• Safety fencing
• Social skills programs
• Special-needs summer programs
• Medical assistance/co-pays and some out-of-pocket expenses
• Other qualifying autism-related treatments and supports

🚫 WHAT WILL THEY NOT FUND?

• Cars or vehicle repairs
• Transportation passes
• Airfare/travel
• Rent
• Utilities
• Family vacations
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Multi-year grants/endowments

💵 IMPORTANT: Grant money is generally NOT given directly to the family. Payments are made directly to the approved treatment provider, assessor, or materials vendor.

⏰ Once approved, families have 12 months to use the grant funds.

📌 APPLICATION TIP
Complete EVERYTHING. Incomplete applications are not reviewed by the board until the missing information is provided. Make sure you actually SUBMIT the application before the application window closes—not just save it as a draft!

🚨 URGENT SAFETY NEED?
Autism Care Today also has an SOS Program for situations where an autistic individual’s physical safety is in jeopardy and the family cannot wait for the regular quarterly grant cycle.

SOS applicants must generally:
• Have an immediate treatment/support need involving physical safety
• Have household income below $45,000/year
• Not have received ACT Today assistance during the previous 12 months
• Request no more than $5,000

💙 NEXT STEP: Start gathering your Autism documentation, income verification, and an exact quote/invoice for the ONE thing you want the grant to fund now so you’re ready when applications open October 1!

Grant Partners Autism Care Today has partnered with many national and local providers who participate in the Autism Care Today grant programs. Click here to learn more.

09/15/2026

Sensory Friendly Hour at Northeast Florida Fair - Callahan, FL!!!!!!

💙 NEW for 2026: Peaceful Patch – Sensory Friendly Hours 💙

At the Northeast Florida Fair, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the magic of the fair.

That's why we're excited to introduce Peaceful Patch: Sensory Friendly Hours—a special early opening designed to create a calmer, more comfortable fair experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities, autism, developmental disabilities, PTSD, and other special needs.

📅 Saturday, October 10
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📝 Pre-registration is required by October 1 or until spaces are filled.

What to Expect

🕙 10:00 AM – Gates Open
• One registered participant and one immediate family member/caregiver receive complimentary admission.
• Additional family and friends are welcome with paid admission.
• Everyone attending must be included on the RSVP.

🌿 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Enjoy a quieter fair experience while exploring:
🐄 Livestock Barns
🏡 Home Arts Building
🍔 Select food vendors
✨ A less crowded environment with reduced sensory stimulation whenever possible.

🎡 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The registered participant and one caregiver may enjoy rides at no charge.
Additional guests may purchase ride credits or an unlimited ride armband for $22, valid until 6:00 PM.

Throughout Peaceful Patch, midway music will remain off, flashing lights will be minimized whenever possible, and some attractions, games, exhibits, and vendors may not yet be operating. At 12:00 PM, the fair will open to the general public and normal operations will begin.

📝 Register today:
Peaceful Patch Registration Form: https://ez-fair.com/fair-events/298/register
Select “register an exhibit”
Select Disabled Persons for age category.
Input participant's information as requested including parent/guardian name and email.
Select NO to the question, "Are you an animal exhibitor?"
Select Department "Miscellaneous Contest"
Select Event "Peaceful Patch"
Select Class "Peaceful Patch"
Answer all questions pertaining to participant and guests.
Acknowledge you have read and understand the event schedule, admission policy, ride policy, and registration requirements.
Submit

🤝 Help Us Make Peaceful Patch Even More Special

We're looking for businesses and community partners who would like to support this new initiative.

💙 Become a Sponsor and help us provide an inclusive experience for local families.

🎁 Donate items for our participant goodie bags!
We're looking for things like sensory toys, fidgets, coloring books, snacks, coupons, promotional items, stuffed animals, and other family-friendly goodies to help welcome every registered participant.

If your business would like to sponsor Peaceful Patch or contribute to our goodie bags, we'd love to hear from you! Send us a message or contact the Northeast Florida Fair.

Together, we're creating a fair experience where every family feels welcome, included, and celebrated. 💙