Last year I blogged about a grant sponsored by the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council to help folks with developmental disabilities and their families become self-employed by starting their own cottage industry food business. At the end of last year, this funding was awarded to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, which has developed a 10-week training course to support adults with autism and their families in creating a small business selling home baked goods. 

Recently, staff from our Environmental Health shop were able to tour the SARRC facility and answer questions about the Home Baked and Confectionary Goods Program for staff and participants in the program. We even had the privilege of sampling some of their baked goods! This is just another example of ways that multiple statewide agencies and organizations can collaborate to make a positive difference in the lives of Arizonans.