Canton, CT: Autism school 'busting at the seams'; $100K fundraiser launched

Nov 13, 2018, Hartford Courant: Autism School Launches $100,000 Fundraising Campaign https://www.courant.com/community/canton/hc-va-canton-focus-autism-fresh-start-school-fundraiser-1115-20181113-story.html The Fresh Start School at the FOCUS Center for Autism, in Canton, became accredited by the state two years ago. That meant the nonprofit, founded by Donna Swanson , could provide more and better support while working full time with students who have autism. But the need is growing and the nonprofit is asking the public for help. It has launched a $100,000 fundraising campaign that will allow it to maintain and expand the services while retaining and adding key staff members. "The school has been around now for two years," Swanson said. "But FOCUS has been here for 18 years. The need has increased. We're getting more students. The need is there to continue to support what we have. You can see we are busting at the seams." … But for now, they want to start with being able to continue to provide individualized services they they feel work for students with autism. The students who attend the Fresh Start School at FOCUS spend a full school day there. They aren't in attendance at their regional school for a number of reasons, Swanson said, adding that they are "complex." …