Kelberman Awarded $400,000 Grant from The B. Thomas Golisano Foundation to Support the “Connected with Kelberman” Initiative

Kelberman, a center of excellence for autism, is excited to announce it has received a grant of $400,000 from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation to support Connected with Kelberman. This initiative is intended to bridge service gaps for individuals with autism by providing families on wait lists with immediate access to clinical guidance, caregiver education, and community engagement opportunities. The B. Thomas Golisano Foundation is one of the nation’s largest foundations dedicated to supporting programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

“We are grateful to the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation for this generous grant, which will help us deliver help to individuals with autism and their families in our community in a timely manner.  We are committed to our families and to meeting both immediate needs and creating long-term systemic impact through education, engagement and collaboration,” stated Kelberman CEO Maria Cappoletti.

According to the CDC, 1 in 31 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. Across our region the demand for autism services continues to grow, while providers remain limited. This support will address critical service gaps for hundreds of children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in Central New York by expanding clinical navigation and clinical education services. Support will also be prioritized for other age groups, ensuring equitable access to navigation, education, and community connection throughout the life span. 

Erica Dayton, Golisano Foundation Executive Director, stated that “The grant will provide families on waiting lists with immediate access to clinical guidance, caregiver education and community engagement opportunities, something that will bridge service gaps for people with autism and their families. We look forward to following the success of this impactful program.”

In 2024, the Golisano Fund also supported “Empowering Pathways,” a pilot program supporting Kelberman’s Family Navigation service, transforming how families access autism/IDD services. The Kelberman Family Navigation service connects individuals, families, and caregivers with autism/IDD with supports and services, offering guidance on evaluations, next steps after diagnosis, and resources for children and adults.