# Transition to Adulthood & Employment — Autism Resource Center of Kansas City

Jay Cross founded [Autism Resource Center of Kansas City](https://aarckc.org/) (ARCKC) in his son's honor. Program for autistic adults 18+ focusing on prevocational training, social skills, and health & wellness. — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

**Overview:**

- A **Pre-Vocation program** — works with local businesses to provide meaningful employment to adults 18+ with Autism — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- There are 29 day programs in Kansas City Metro and **none of them have BCBAs or OTs on staff** for adults with Autism — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Supported Employment model (similar to [Sherwood Autism Center](https://sherwoodcenter.org/)) — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Partnered with Lifetime Fitness to employ adults with autism while their parents worked out — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

**Funding History:**

- Initially worked with Down Syndrome Innovations (DSI) — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Then Church of the Resurrection (95th and Antioch) offered a Mon/Wed program — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Now privately financed; Jay working to diversify funding — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Currently in application process to become approved Pre-Vocational program with Kansas Medicaid — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

**Program Details:**

- Services on Tuesday/Thursday — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Building located on 87th and I-35 — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Offers: Prevocation training, social skills therapy, health & wellness training — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Staff: 3 BCBAs, 1 OT, 1 SLP (will look for PT next year) — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Target: Adults with **Level 2 autism** (mid to high functioning) — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Business partners: Turnstyles thrift shop, furniture store in Grandview, Element Gym (79th and Quivira), farm on 159th and Quivira — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

- Unlike Farmer's House, they will **not** have a target titration term — *[Jay Cross, Aug 2025](/sessions/20250817_Jay_Cross_Autism_Resource_Center/notes.md)*

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