FACTS 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - APRIL 2006 The FACTS organization has been dedicated to helping children with autism and their families succeed since 1996. Since that time, the FACTS Mission Statement has been fulfilled in the following ways: Coordinated more than 200 FACTS Kids Club & Family Events, including weekly gymnastics classes, swimming lessons, horseback riding, bowling tournaments, soccer practice, sibling workshop, museum trips, fires station tours, beach trips, minor league baseball games, Disneyland, Sea World, ceramics paint studios, overnight backyard camp-outs, and picnics. FACTS hosted theme parties such as a fiesta, luau and hayride. Seasonal and holiday parties were held throughout each year, and included Easter Egg Hunts, Autumn Festivals and Visits with Santa. Hosted more than 140 parent events including monthly support group breakfast meetings, Temecula wine country tours, and Parent’s Night Out events. Conducted more than 15 parent training workshops, on topics ranging from IEP strategies to biomedical advances. Advocated for families at more than 250 Individualized Education Planning (IEP) meetings and a handful of mediation hearings at no charge. Published 20 editions of the FACTS newsletter, which equates to approximately 4,000 mailings. Launched the FACTS website (www.FACTSfamilies.org) in 2000, which is visited an average of 2,000 times annually. Recruited and trained more than 435 applicants for tutor, social coach and respite care providers positions. Over 100 individuals have been hired by local families and behavioral intervention agencies through the FACTS staff referral service. Distributed more than 750 teaching supplies and reference materials from the FACTS Resource Library to local families and service agencies. FACTS received a Business of the Month Award from the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce in February 2002. Increased autism awareness through public-speaking engagements at local elementary schools, college classes and community organizations such as Rotary International. FACTS also set-up autism awareness booths at community events such as the Temecula Rod Run and Temecula Tractor Races. FACTS received a $5,000 grant check from Mickey Mouse through the Disneyland Cast Community Fund. Participated in many community fund-raising events, such as outlet center events, department store openings and a celebrity benefit for autism. FACTS coordinated a variety of special events including a carnival, silent auctions and annual concert benefits. More than 80 local singers and musicians have performed at the concert events including special performances by a number of children with autism. Presented dozens of FACTS Kids Achievement Awards to children and teens with autism in recognition of their individual accomplishments. FACTS Appreciation awards, scholarships and memorial tributes have also been given to dedicated family members, educators and service providers. Cheryl Cisneros, FACTS Executive Director & President, participated in the California State Department of Education Alternative Dispute Resolution program, served as a Temecula Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Member, and was a Governor’s Appointee for the State of California Council on Developmental Disabilities Area Board 12. Ms. Cisneros is the mother of a child with autism and is the founder of the FACTS organization.   .