LTO Ventures

The Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders is developing a 5-year plan for addressing autism in the State, and has issued a Call for Subcommittee Participation [read/download flier].  The initiative was introduced at the May 2, 2014 Commission meeting [read/download proposal].  The new plan will build on the findings and recommendations of the 2008 Autism Task Force, with near-term and full-term goals.  The Commission emphasized its desire to have self advocates and parent advocates lead the plan development effort.

We are pleased to announce the addition of two new members of the LTO Ventures board of directors.  Angela and Jenai bring extensive experience to our team.

Angela is a parent of two young children including a daughter with a moderate level of autism and developmental delays.  She is President of Hand Over Hand, a non-profit organization focused on bringing all-inclusive playgrounds to Southern Nevada.  Angela has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from California State Polytechnic University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  She has 11 years of experience as an auditor for the gaming industry and local government.

Jenai is a social worker with several years experience in community development. She has more than 10 years experience working directly with families and more than four years experience developing and managing housing programs. She takes pride in being a part of the Airmount Woods development team in Ramsey, NJ, along with other special needs housing communities including award-winning Orchard Commons and Crescent Commons. Jenai has a BSW degree from Dominican College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University, with a concentration in Client-centered Management.

See the latest report from Sen. Harkin’s HELP committee. We don’t agree with all of Harkin’s positions re: persons with disabilities, but the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Act to be introduced by Sen. Harkin could be very interesting. We’ve believed the US DOT’s Disabled Business Enterprise (DBE) designation should apply more broadly to include adults with autism and we look forward to reading the legislation to see if it accomplishes that. http://bit.ly/19ipLfI

Coverage about LTO Ventures and our Autism Entrepreneurs Center in the Jan. 22, 2013 issue of the Las Vegas Review Journal VIEW newspaper.

Our Autism Entrepreneurs Center kicked off its first meeting on Jan. 10th to an overflow group of 30 people parents and their young adults with autism or Aspergers.  They had similar issues and were enthusiastic about what we plan to accomplish.  Among the attendees were individuals interested in careers as an accountant, working in computers and technical problem-solving, becoming a physical therapist, and working in the fire alarm business.  The mission of our Center is to give ASD adults the specific guidance, tools and resources they need to create, launch and run their own businesses. [MORE] [PRESS RELEASE]