Centro Ponceño de Autismo
Centro Ponceño de Autismo in Barrio Segundo
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| Abbreviation | CEPA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 10 April 2008 |
| Type | Non-profit NGO |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Purpose | Medical, Clinical |
| Headquarters | 120 Calle Sol, at Calle Vives,Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Location |
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| Coordinates | 18°00′46″N 66°37′09″W / 18.01284°N 66.61923°WCoordinates: 18°00′46″N 66°37′09″W / 18.01284°N 66.61923°W |
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Region served
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Ponce, southern Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico at large |
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Clinical Director
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Laura M. Deliz, Ph.D. |
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Executive Director
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Maritza Garcia |
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President of the Board of Directors
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José Pons, M.D. |
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Main organ
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Corporacion para el Desarrollo del Centro Ponceño de Autismo, C.D. |
| Affiliations | Government of the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce |
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Budget
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$500,000 |
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Staff
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8 |
| Website | Centro Ponceño de Autismo |
| Remarks |
Telephones: (787) 284-2900 (787) 284-2899 (787) 812-1224 Postal Address: P.O. BOX 32267, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00732 |
The Centro Ponceño de Autismo (English: Ponce Autism Center), or CEPA, is the only center specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of autism in Puerto Rico. It is a non-profit organization. The center leads progressive research studies and medical training while providing comprehensive, personalized care to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including Asperger's Disorder and PDD NOS. Working together with families, the Centro Ponceño de Autismo aims to identify the causes of autism and advance effective treatments. In 2011, it was reported that the Center cared for 179 patients.
The center is centrally located in Ponce, Puerto Rico's second largest city, from where it serves the autism population of southern Puerto Rico. Its location in the Ponce Historic Zone on Calle Sol at N 18.01284 W 66.61923 (18°00'46.224" North, 66°37'9.228" West), in barrio Segundo, a few blocks just northwest of Plaza Las Delicias and the Terminal de Carros Publicos Carlos Garay makes it easily accessible to public transportation.
The history of The Centro Ponceño de Autismo dates to 2006 when the parent organization of the Centro Ponceño de Autismo, Corporación para el Desarrollo del Centro Ponceño de Autismo, was founded on March 15 of that year with the intention of forming a center for autism evaluation and treatment in the city of Ponce. In 2007 the organization had already opened a "virtual" center on the Web at MySpace for awareness, support, and interest.
In 2007, the Autonomous Municipality of Ponce made public its intention to formally initiate the first phase of the development of the Autism Center, under the supervision of its First Lady, Mrs. Nancy Colón de Zayas. Mayor Zayas Seijo, while serving in the House of Representatives, in collaboration with former senator Ortiz Dalliot, secured 1.7 million dollars from local government funds for the development of this project in Ponce. Federal funds were obtained through the successful intervention of our governor-elect Hon. Luis Fortuño, as part of his activities in the US congress on behalf of the children of Ponce. Salvador (Chiry) Vasallo and his wife Olga Vasallo donated seven acres in barrio Sabanetas, to house the project in its subsequent phases of development and clinical operation. In 2008 the Center officially opened a brick-and-mortar facility at 120 Sol Street between Vives and Capitan Correa Streets.
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