State Bar Foundation Continues to Support Law Enforcement Initiative
July 30, 2024
Autism New Jersey is grateful for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s continued support through co-sponsorship of a first-of-its-kind initiative to ensure safe and positive interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism. With nearly $106,000 in funding from the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, made possible by the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey, Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative will continue to bring together the autism community and law enforcement leaders to highlight exemplary existing autism-friendly law enforcement practices, build consensus, and increase the adoption of autism-friendly administrative policies and on-duty practices statewide.
“We are incredibly excited and humbled by this work,” said Autism New Jersey Executive Director Dr. Suzanne Buchanan. “We work with the autism community every day, but this funding has given us the opportunity to continue investments in relationships with the law enforcement community and develop autism-friendly law enforcement practices that will benefit everyone.”
Initial New Jersey State Bar Foundation grant funding allowed Autism New Jersey to hire an initiative director and partially fund a Community Engagement Coordinator, dedicated to assisting the furtherance of the initiative goals. The most recent, very generous State Bar Foundation grant will support the continued work of the initiative and personnel dedicated to the initiative’s mission. The Law Enforcement Initiative is being delivered in three phases:
- Gather information and develop relationships, creating strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies on the local, county and state levels;
- Build consensus and disseminate best practices; and
- Advocate for consensus-based standards statewide.
The day-to-day objectives of the initiative include external relationship development, liaising with and seeking input from our Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, conducting data analyses from our two initial surveys for law enforcement professionals and parents/autistic individuals, creating updated surveys seeking specifics on agency autism-friendly practice usage, utilizing geo-mapping to ensure initiative work is making statewide connections with an emphasis on historically underserved communities, and leading statewide committees on best practices in training; registries; driving-related/motor vehicle issues; and working with individuals, families, and group homes to inform the development of statewide standards.
“Co-sponsorship grants are critical to support our mission of increasing public understanding of law and legal system through education. We are proud to support programs across the state, said Charles Stoia, President of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. “And programs such as this create a tangible, lasting difference on the lives of people in our community.”
Given the complex needs of individuals with autism, our mission-driven approach, strong connections with the autism community and the state, and the resounding enthusiasm from law enforcement to date, Autism New Jersey is equipped to profoundly impact all New Jersey residents by building a solid statewide foundation for safe and positive interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism. We thank the New Jersey State Bar Foundation for its part in continuing to support this work and our mission!
For more information about Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement initiative or if you a law enforcement officer, prosecutor’s office, or work in a related professional role, we welcome the opportunity to connect with you. Please email us at LE@autismnj.org.
About the New Jersey State Bar Foundation
Founded in 1958, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation has been dedicated to carrying out the charitable and educational endeavors of the organized bar, specifically the New Jersey State Bar Association. In 1988, when it moved to its current location at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick, the Foundation made a concentrated effort to expand its public education efforts. Today, the Foundation stands as a model for law-related education organizations across the country.
Believing that “informed citizens are better citizens,” the Foundation strives to educate everyone in New Jersey—from students to senior citizens—about their rights and responsibilities under the law.