William James College Partners with The Flutie Foundation for Annual Law Enforcement and Autism Co-Response Training Program

Event Designed to Empower and Offer Strategies to First Responders, Behavioral Health Practitioners, Individuals & Families in the Autism Community

The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism (Flutie Foundation), a leading nonprofit in the autism community, is partnering with the William James College Center for Crisis Response and Behavioral Health to host a Law Enforcement & Autism Co-Response Collaboration Event on Friday, April 10th at the start of Autism Acceptance Month.

The program is designed to help local law enforcement officers, first responders, co-response clinicians, and Autism providers expand their knowledge of best practices that can be utilized when working with individuals and families in the autism community. The event will feature panel presentations, roundtable discussions, and breakout sessions focused on advocacy, parent and first responder perspectives on safety, strategies that can be implemented to improve communication and interactions between first responders and the public, and the availability of resources for the community. 

“Our continued partnership with the Flutie Foundation reflects a shared commitment to advancing effective crisis response,” said Dr. Sarah Abbott, Director of the Center for Crisis Response and Behavioral Health. “By convening first responders and clinicians working in the Co-Response model, this program facilitates the exchange of practical insight and experience, enhancing communication and supporting the development of best practices.”

The Center for Crisis Response and Behavioral Health at William James College provides training and education to law enforcement and mental health professionals on effective response methods for encounters with individuals who are experiencing a psychiatric, substance-related, or mental health crisis.

The Law Enforcement & Autism Co-Response Collaboration event was designed to promote dialogue around this important topic and support the Flutie Foundation’s commitment to helping families affected by autism live life to the fullest.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Eileen Crehan, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in autism and neurodivergence in adolescents and adults. Her presentation, “Mental Health, Autism, and the Police: Being Aware of Invisible Disabilities,” will examine how neurodivergence and mental health factors may influence police interactions, and outlines key indicators and effective response strategies in crisis situations.

“Ensuring our cities and towns are safe, welcoming, and inclusive for people with autism and their families is essential,” said Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Flutie Foundation. “We’re proud to collaborate with William James College, as well as law enforcement and first responder communities, to tackle this important issue. By working together, we can exchange ideas and develop practical approaches that municipalities across New England can adopt to enhance safety and inclusion for everyone.”

The training session will take place on Friday, April 10th from 9:00am-2:00pm at William James College (1 Wells Ave Newton, MA 02459) in Classroom 334/335/336. There is a limit of three participants per agency, and resources will be provided for attendees to take back to their agencies. For more information or to register for the Law Enforcement and Autism Co-Response Collaboration, please click here. 

About the Flutie Foundation

About the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife Laurie founded the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Inspired by their family’s journey, the Flutie Foundation has raised over $45 million for schools and organizations providing clinical therapies, respite care, recreational programs, social skills training, job support, and more. The Foundation also delivers education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support through strategic partnerships and special initiatives. For more information, please visit https://flutiefoundation.org/.  

About William James College

Founded in 1974, William James College is an independent, non-profit institution and a leader in educating the next generation of mental health professionals to support the growing and diverse needs of the mental health workforce. Integrating field work with academics, the College prepares students for careers as organizational leaders and behavioral health professionals who are committed to helping the underserved, multicultural populations, children and families, and veterans. William James College alumni can be found making an impact in a variety of settings, including schools, the courts, clinical care facilities, hospitals, the community, and the workplace. To learn more about the College, please visit www.williamjames.edu. 

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