May 2021 | ISSUE 165
$100K Surprise from the Phoenix Suns

Last Friday, a group of AZA leaders were invited to attended a Phoenix Suns game. The invitation was not only to enjoy the game at the newly renovated arena, but also to meet with the Suns Charities Board of Directors to discuss a recent grant application to support the opening of a new West Valley Center. We were prepared to talk about the need and our plans to create something special for families on the west side. We were told that we were finalists and this was our chance make our case to the board. But we had no idea what the Phoenix Suns had in store for us...
What a Surprise!
The game had started, the arena was filled with excitement, players were moving up and down the court, cheers were getting louder, and then all of a sudden the jumbotron played a pre-recorded video of Devin Booker. All eyes are on the massive screens, silence, suspense... And then he announced the 5 organizations that had been chosen to receive $100,000 each for the 2021 Devin Booker Starting 5 Grant. "Arizona Autism United," he said. Wait, what? Confusion! As this was playing on the screens, the Suns Charities staff, cheerleaders and the Suns gorilla arrived to the section where we were all sitting in shock. They came to present the check along with a signed Booker jersey in a beautiful frame! Everyone was so surprised, happy and excited. Our group had no idea we had already been selected for this extremely generous grant!

A Happy Ending
This grant funding will support the opening of our West Valley Center, where children will receive critical therapies and parents will find help and support. AZA United is beyond grateful for our continued partnership with Phoenix Suns Charities, and for their philanthropy which is making Arizona children's lives better.

GO SUNS!

Job Openings at AZA

Recruiter for Direct Care Positions
Part-time Recruiter to find and hire great direct care staff (employees who provide in-home services for children on the autism spectrum). Responsibilities include strategic sourcing, interviewing, and assessing candidates, high use of an Applicant Tracking System and other internal systems, metric and data reporting, and working with and supporting hiring managers. This position is primarily remote and schedule can be flexible!

Bilingual Family Support Specialist
This role provides hands-on caring help in English and Spanish for parents to access services, navigate systems, and coordinate care among different providers. Part of this role involves staying informed about services and programs that are available to families throughout the community, in order to maximize access to care and minimize stress and barriers for parents. Applicants must have experience with and knowledge of the systems of care in Arizona.

Medical Billing Coordinator
We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated, full-time Medical Biller to perform end-to-end revenue cycle management. This person will be joining a committed team of billers and will collaborate with outstanding clinical and administrative staff. Applicants should have experience with insurance billing and claims processing in a related healthcare field.

Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)
Part-time (up to 20 hours a week) Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) to join our Speech Team, to serve children and youth with individual therapy sessions during afternoon and/or early evening hours at both our East Valley (Mesa) and Main Office Clinic locations. Weekends may be available also if desired. This position would involve a mix of activities and is a great opportunity for an SLPA who works in a school setting and is looking for after-school hours!

Only a Few Days Left to Claim 2020 Tax Credit

The state of Arizona has extended the 2021 tax filing deadline to May 17, and the AZ Department of Revenue has confirmed that Charitable Organization Tax Credit donations can also be made up until this date to be claimed on your 2020 taxes.
With the Charitable Organization Tax Credit donating is easy and it doesn't cost a thing! Arizona donors get a 100%, dollar-for-dollar refund on your donations up to $400 for individual donors and up $800 married couples filing jointly, getting it all back when you file your taxes. You get to choose where your tax dollars go!

Additionally, the CARES Act allows tax filers to deduct up to $300 in charitable donations on your 2020 federal taxes even if you do NOT itemize your taxes! Deductions on your federal taxes are in addition to any state tax credits that you claim.

Donors are essential in ensuring our mission to help as many families as possible is carried out every day. With a growing autism rate of 1 in 54 children, the demand for our services continues to increase. This is why we need your support towards our expansion efforts. This is what your donations will support this year:

  • Expand our reach by opening a West Valley Center and a satellite location in Southern Arizona to help severely underserved families.

  • Expand the scope of our services by adding disciplines like Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Crisis Support, Diagnostic Services and Adult Services.
Announcements

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Parents of children with special needs experience an incredible amount of stress which can result in depression and other conditions. Children, adolescents and adults with autism also experience anxiety, stress and depression which can be difficult to identify due to the communication challenges they face.
You are not alone - our dedicated clinicians across all our programs and our Family Support Team are here to help. Contact us at Support@AZAunited.org.
Upcoming Events

Join us on Saturday, June 5th from 10 to 11 AM for our next Sibshops events for siblings. Registration is FREE and required to obtain the login information. Email or call us at Sibshops@AZAunited.org - 602-773-5803.



Our Grupo de Apoyo Unidos en Bienestar (Therapeutic Support Group in Spanish for parents), will meet again on Thursday, May 27th from 5:30-7:00. Click here for information & registration in Spanish.
Link of the Month

 Scottsdale Physicians Group Virtual Care’s Pediatric Complex Care know that raising a child with complex medical needs, including autism, can make trips to the doctor or urgent care challenging. This program was designed to provide exceptional medical care in the comfort and safety of the patient's home. Their innovative approach deploys a medical technician to the home with sophisticated equipment to conduct a thorough exam that assists their experienced pediatric providers in determining a plan of care. The services provided may be covered by the health plans.