Event Calendar

Join the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), Autism Speaks and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) for a free webinar on the recently passed Kevin & Avonte’s Law. This law establishes the Missing Americans Alert Program to provide grants for additional training and technologies that advance the search for the missing, freeing up valuable time and resources for first responders and allowing them to focus on other security concerns.

Wandering is a serious issue that families living with dementia and autism face every day. It is estimated that at least 60 percent of individuals with dementia—and a third of school-age children with developmental disabilities—will wander at some point. Wanderers are vulnerable to dehydration, weather and traffic hazards, and individuals who prey on the defenseless. When not located within 24 hours, the risk of serious injury or death increases substantially for those who wander.

The goal of the webinar is to increase awareness of the law to stakeholders, including caregivers as well as state and local entities. Presenters will give a description of how the new law works, how grants will be made available, strategies used to locate persons who wander as well as tips for caregivers to prevent wandering.

Presenters will include:
Evelyn Estes Fortier, Chief Counsel for Justice Programs, United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Kyrianna Hoffses, Public Relations & Media Coordinator, Project Lifesaver International
Emily Mulligan, Manager, Autism Response Team, Autism Speaks
Molly Fogel, Director of Educational and Social Services, Alzheimer's Foundation of America