Inspira Health Secures Grant to Enhance Autism Care
Inspira Health has received a $1 million grant from the State of New Jersey to expand its Autism Diagnostic Centers (ADCs) in Woodbury and Bridgeton. This funding, spearheaded by Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblymen William Moen and William Spearman, and Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, will enhance access to timely, high-quality autism evaluations and support services for families across South Jersey. Improving access to autism diagnoses and care is particularly critical in the region, as New Jersey has some of the highest rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and lowest rates of documented ASD testing in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“With this grant, we can accelerate access to care, improve outcomes, and remove barriers for families seeking an evaluation,” said April M. Venable, MBA, FACHE, senior vice president of operations strategy and transformation at Inspira Health. “Early intervention is paramount, and this expansion positions Inspira as a leader in autism care in the region.”
Since opening in 2024, Inspira’s ADCs have completed more than 400 evaluations, with rising referrals from families, physicians, and schools. With the new grant, Inspira anticipates serving nearly 600 new patients annually, significantly reducing wait times for appointments.
For families like the Broglin’s, the impact of timely evaluations is life-changing. “My experience having my daughter tested at Inspira’s Autism Diagnostic Center was extraordinary,” said Shannon Broglin, mother of Gracie Mae Broglin, a 20-year-old with autism. “We came with a lot of concerns and uncertainty, but we left with answers, wonderful recommendations, and a great sense of empowerment from the extremely knowledgeable and professional staff. Not only did our clinician display outstanding sensitivity and creativity when explaining Gracie’s diagnosis and the resources available to us, she created instantaneous clarity into the struggles that brought us to have my daughter tested. We have already implemented numerous care recommendations provided by Inspira and while it has just been a few months, the impact is already noticeable and has proven to be so effective in assisting my daughter. I would recommend Inspira ADCs to anyone seeking an evaluation or assistance.”
This expansion builds on Inspira’s ongoing commitment to autism care in the area, including partnerships with Blue Envelope, a program supporting interactions between individuals with autism and law enforcement, and the opening of Proud Moments at Inspira centers, which ease the transition from diagnosis to treatment. Inspira’s Bridgeton ADC is also one of the first in New Jersey to feature a climbing wall designed to support motor skill development.
For more information about Inspira’s Autism Diagnostic Centers, or to schedule an appointment, visit inspirahealthnetwork.org/services-treatments/behavioral-and-mental-health-services/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd.
