Michigan: Easterseals to expand ASD services to two cities

May 11, 2023, Hour Detroit: Easterseals MORC Expands Reach with New Locations in Troy and Wixom https://www.hourdetroit.com/health/easterseals-morc-expands-reach-with-new-locations-in-troy-and-wixom/

These new locations, and a $45,000 grant, are expected to enhance the organization’s autism services to better serve individuals and families in metro Detroit.

In congruence with Autism Awareness Month and Autism Acceptance Month, Easterseals MORC announced back in April two new program locations at 505 E. Maple Road in Troy and 51229 Century Court in Wixom to enhance their comprehensive array of supportive services for children and adults with mental illness, physical and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and special needs, and their families.

The new Easterseals MORC location in Troy is three times the size of MORC’s previous Troy location, and with more space and staff, the organization will build upon services previously offered….

With a lack of autism services offered in Wixom, Easterseals MORC also saw an opportunity to expand and offer its services in the city. Easterseals MORC Wixom currently employs one Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, two behavior technicians and is looking to add more staff….

“Currently, one of the biggest barriers for families impacted by autism is finding a program with immediate openings,” Easterseals MORC President and CEO, Brent Wirth, said in a press release about the expansion. “By expanding into Wixom and tripling our footprint in Troy, dozens more families will be able to receive autism services in Southeast Michigan.”

In addition to these two new locations, Easterseals MORC has also announced it will receive a $45,000 grant from CareSource — “a nationally recognized leader in managed care” — that will go to support the newly-planned Autism Comprehensive Care Center, which will offer individuals on the spectrum, and their families, personalized services that are tailored to their specific needs.

Services at the center will include speech and occupational therapy, family and sibling therapy, experiential life skills, and more.

“We are honored to be among the Easterseals affiliates benefiting from CareSource’s support,” Wirth said in a press release about the grant. “This gift will allow us to further develop integrated behavioral health and autism therapy services as an integral part of our planned Autism Comprehensive Care Center to better support the individuals on the autism spectrum and their families that we serve.”

The interior of the new Easterseals MORC location in Troy. // Photograph courtesy of Easterseals MORC