YSU autism center receives $550,000 grant from state for renovations

YSU’s Rich Center for Autism will receive a total of $550,000 from the state of Ohio to be used toward building renovations.

The funds, which are from the new biennial Capital Budget, are part of the $3.5 billion allocation to support facilities and local community infrastructure across the state to create jobs and growing Ohio’s economy.

The Center launched their Building for Tomorrow campaign in 2020 as a renovation project to begin updates and additions within the building, including more resources for students and their families. This included an ADA compliant elevator for the building, an independent living and life skills lab and a sensory motor skills room.

Michael Latessa, Rich Center executive director, is putting in gears to start the next phase of rennovations and thanks the Center’s many supporters and sponsors.

Charles Howell, professor and dean of the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Education thanked Latessa for his dedicated leadership in this initiative.

”Michael’s community and governmental connections are an invaluable resource to the university. I look forward to further discussion of Rich Center operations, he said.”

Looking toward the future, Latessa hopes to continue his advocacy with efforts geared toward an increase in the Ohio Autism Scholarship, a scholarship to allow tuition free education and services for families and students in which he describes as, “a vital asset to providers like [The Rich Center].”

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