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Effective April 1, 2025, Porter County will be a pilot county for the Blue Envelope Program in an effort to make it a state-wide initiative. Click here for more information.

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COALITION PROGRAMS

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  • The emergency identification bracelet program for children and adults on the spectrum. Parents/caregivers/individuals on the spectrum may register their children for the program free of charge. Information on the individuals is provided to Porter County 911 Central Communications. Individuals are issued uniquely numbered bracelets. First responders who have interactions with the children or individual can obtain the information via the number.​


     

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  • The window cling program. Parents may obtain puzzle piece window clings to be placed on their homes or vehicle windows. The clings alert first responders that a child on the spectrum is in the vehicle or home. Clings are available at the Portage Township Trustee’s office, 3590 Willowcreek Road, Portage, free of charge.

  • We are partnered with the Portage Township YMCA to host a Parent Autism Support group. The support group meets from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the second Saturday of each month at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Road. There is no charge for attending the meeting. The YMCA Provides childcare for $5 per family. Click here to read the group’s flyer.

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 The Things We Have Done and How You Can Help

•    PTAAC partnered with the Portage Township YMCA to offer water safety classes to children on the spectrum. Thanks to a grant from Autism Speaks, this program was offered free of charge. Due to a shortage of certified lifeguards, the program has been temporarily suspended. Please check back here periodically as to when classes will return.
•    Provided over 225 sensory kits to each first responding agency within Portage Township; each Portage Township Schools building; each Portage Township Schools special needs school bus; the Portage Township YMCA; Portage and South Haven branches of the Porter County Public Library and the Portage and South Haven units of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana.
•    Hosted a Lights Up, Sounds Down roller-skating party.
•    Hosted two sensory-friendly touch a truck events.
•    Provided inhouse training kits for the three fire and three police departments serving Portage Township.
•    In October 2022, we hosted an educational seminar by retired police captain Jerry Turning of Blue Bridge Autism Training. While aimed at law enforcement, more than 75 people, including law enforcement, firefighters, educators, juvenile court officials and members of the general public attended the 4-hour workshop.

How To Help
The Portage Township Autism Action Coalition is predominantly funded through donations and grants.
Your support will help us continue to provide programs for first responders and families with members on the spectrum and share our program throughout Porter County.
Please send your tax-deductible donation to:
Friends of Portage Township Foundation, Inc., 3484 Airport Road, Portage, IN, 46368. Write “autism” on the memo line.
Thank you for your support!



 

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