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

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

NEWTON, MA (April 29th, 2025) – The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism (Flutie Foundation), a leading non-profit 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 on Friday, May 2nd from 9:00am-3:00pm.

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 people and 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. 

“We deeply value our collaboration with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation and are excited to co-host this important event,” stated Dr. Sarah Abbott, the Center for Crisis Response and Behavioral Health Director. "At the event, our Framingham Police Co-Responder program will present the impact of pairing police with clinicians to respond to 911 calls, offering valuable insights and experiences that foster communication and promote effective outcomes. We look forward to welcoming all of our dynamic presenters and guests."

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 people 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 people and families with autism live life to the fullest.

“Keeping our cities and towns safe and inclusive for people with autism and their families is critical,” says Flutie Foundation’s Executive Director Nick Savarese. “We are honored to partner with William James College and law enforcement and first responder communities to address this issue. Together, we will share ideas and create practices that municipalities throughout New England can implement to increase safety and inclusion for all.”

The training session will take place on May 2nd from 9:00am-3:00pm 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

Former NFL Quarterback, Doug Flutie, and his wife Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Flutie Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Their personal experience of raising a son on the autism spectrum inspired them to help others on an equally long and challenging journey. Over its 25-plus-year history, the Flutie Foundation has distributed over $20 million to schools and organizations who provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports and more for people with autism. The Flutie Foundation also provides education technology tools, adaptive camp scholarships, safety equipment, and direct family support through its partnerships and special initiatives.

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. 

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