Page last updated 1/11/99
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QSAC, Quality-of-life and Services for the Autism Community
QSAC is an award winning not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational, behavioral, recreational and respite services to persons with autism or PDD (pervasive developmental disabilities) and their families throughout the New York City area.
QSAC was established in 1978 by a group of concerned Queens parents of children with autism. These parents strongly believed that people with autism were capable of living at home and, in some cases, participating in normal social activities, forming relationships, seeking and maintaining employment and becoming productive and integrated members of the community. The founders were determined to serve the needs of their children, and those that followed, by providing a cost-effective, community-based alternative to life long institutionalization. Through their commitment and energy, QSAC was born.
QSAC's goal is to provide direct services which help children and adults to reach their full potential and thus lead a more productive, independent and fulfilled life. QSAC also offers programs for parents which educate, inform and offer occasional relief from the day to day care of their children with autism.
Today, twenty years since its inception, QSAC, working with the Autism Society of America, Queens Chapter, is a leader in the provision of services to people with autism in New York City.
QSAC receives funding from the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, NYC Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services, NYS Dept. of Health, NYS Education Dept., NYC Board of Education, and Medicaid. Additional funding is obtained through requests to foundations, businesses, and individuals.
QSAC currently provides services to more than 500 families. However, due to funding insufficiencies, QSAC simply can not provide services to all of the families in need. QSAC currently has a waiting list of more than 1,200 families requesting different services.
Recently, QSAC received a Citation of Honor from Queens Borough President Claire Shulman's Task Force on People with Disabilities for its commitment to the needs of people with disabilities. QSAC was also instrumental in the proclaiming of the month of January as "Autism Awareness Month" in Queens.
