Looking for beta testers for Floreo for Oculus soon!

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is: "When will you be compatible with other VR headsets like Oculus Quest?" We are excited to say that our talented team is hard at work on a version of Floreo for the Quest.

While we don't have a timeline for the release just yet, we will be looking for beta testers in the next few months. Please email us at info@floreotech.com.if you are interested in being a beta tester and you already have an iPad from at least 2016 and an Oculus Quest (please note, you will need both devices in order to qualify and participate as a beta tester). We hope you are as excited as we are about this upcoming expansion!

New Partnerships
THE FLOREO COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW

A warm welcome to our newest partners: Santa Ana Public Library (CA) and The Monarch School and Institute (TX). We look forward to helping you serve the needs of your clients and community!

Are you ready to join the Floreo family? We would love to discuss implementation in your school, district, or practice!

Grant update
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR TEXAS SCHOOLS

Attention Schools and Districts in Texas: All Texas local education agencies are eligible to apply for grant funding to increase their capacity to implement innovative programs that effectively serve students with autism ages three through 21. It is a great time to implement Floreo in your district, school, or regional center with the help of this grant! Let us know how we can help support your efforts to secure funding through this grant. Read more about the grant opportunity.

Floreo in the news
SPOTLIGHT EVENT

Floreo Founder & CEO, Vijay Ravindran, was a featured presenter for the virtual workshop, Optimizing Care Systems for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, hosted by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in December. View the webinar.

Medicaid update
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MEDICAID-BASED SOLUTIONS?

Attention New York families and organizations: Floreo is an approved CFS Vendor for the OPWDD Self Directed Services Waiver. Our service provides training to increase independence, health and safety and promote opportunities to build community living and independence skills. If you are interested in using your OPWDD benefits to fund your Floreo subscription, please email us at info@floreotech.com.

If you are located in Maryland, Wisconsin, or Washington DC, please reach out to us about other Medicaid-based Floreo solutions in your area.

Events
UPCOMING SERIES WITH SAM FARMER

Author, Floreo advisor and our Lead Self Advocate, Sam Farmer, announced a series of six virtual presentations which "are geared towards providing ideas and insights as to how autistic and neurodiverse individuals may be able to carve out better lives for themselves." Hosted by the Northeast Arc in MA, we hope you are able to join for one or more event!

The Regrettable Necessity of Labeling Autism as a Disability (2/2 from 6:30-8:00 ET)

This workshop will delve into the upsides and downsides of describing autism as being a disability. There are valid reasons for this labeling, though at the same time, the label can do harm, unless strategies which will be discussed are used to keep it from doing harm. Register here.

Tips for Rising Above Bullying (2/16 from 6:30-8:00 ET)

This workshop will discuss why bullying is a "regrettable inevitability" as well as several strategies as to how one can survive it and not let it compromise self-esteem. Register here.

Regarding Masking and Sense of Self (3/9 from 6:30-8:00 ET)

This workshop will discuss what "masking" is, the circumstances under which it is likely to be used, why it can be detrimental to one's sense of self and how to keep it from undermining sense of self. Register here.

Research study opportunity
FROM OUR PARTNERS AT CHOP
Our partners at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are recruiting participants for a compensated survey about autism and police. Please consider participating or sharing with others who might be interested!

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What have we been reading this week?
NEWS ROUND-UP

‘As We See It’ is not a typical portrayal of autism

How a teenage boy helps scientists learn about autism
One in five young adults with substance use disorder may have undiagnosed autistic traits
A mother’s fight to bring an understanding of autism outside of the clinic

Heather

Heather is Floreo's Director of Customer Success. She makes sure that all of Floreo's customers are comfortable and confident using Floreo. Prior to working at Floreo, Heather worked at Trove (a news start-up) and eBay for Charity. Heather holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, where she also played varsity basketball (and won an Ivy League Championship) and a M.Ed. from the University of Mary Washington. In her free time she enjoys reading, tennis, skiing, and hiking around Western North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and adorable lab mix, Pepper.