Sonoma State University

Congrats to CATS!

CATS Award
"The program has really meant a lot to our school, our children and our families," says Laura Briggin, Cypress School Director.
Max Breal and SSU service-learning Anna Gavin work together on a puzzle.

Congratulations to the SSU Department of Psychology's Collaborative Autism Training & Support (CATS) program on winning the United Cerebral Palsy Association and Cypress School: Autism and Behavioral Services Community Recognition Award!

Through a deep partnership with Community Parenting Institute (CPI), CATS equips service-learning students with the important skills they will need by working with children with autism through in-home and school direct service. Additionally, the children's families receive educational and other resources.

[Related: Community & University Partnership: Collaborative Autism Training & Support Programs with Dr. Lorna Catford]

The students get to apply and experience several theories learned in class through the in-home service-learning hours. Developing positive affiliations and relationships with many of the local classrooms and agencies serving children with autism spectrum diagnoses and their families has many positive results not only for the children and families but also for the Sonoma State students. In fact, over fifty percent of the students are hired as a result of being in the CATS community partnership program.