UNT's Kristin Farmer Autism Center received a $489,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Autism Grant Program that will enable the center and the Texas Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program to continue its partnership for the next two years.

The collaboration, which currently serves 96 families around the state, is aimed at children with autism 3 to 5 years old and their parents. UNT's center is providing training to Texas HIPPY staff, who then conduct weekly home visiting services.

Program staff work to improve the family's knowledge of autism spectrum disorder, teach basic skills associated with evidence-based autism interventions, increase key developmental and school readiness skills, and reduce parental stress.