CVS Caremark Charitable Trust Invests $300,000 in Easter Seals' Autism Services for Young Children

CHICAGO, July 14, 2009 — The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust announced a $300,000 grant to Easter Seals to advance evidence-based autism services for young children nationwide. The grant, made possible through the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Program(TM), is in response to families' need for greater access to autism services as reflected in key findings of Easter Seals' recent Living with Autism Study.* These funds enhance nearly $6 million already provided to Easter Seals through the All Kids Can Program in which Easter Seals is a national partner.

"We know that through early detection and individualized intervention, autism is treatable," said Patricia Wright, Ph.D., national director autism services, Easter Seals. "This CVS Caremark grant will help advance professional training for Easter Seals' therapists to assure enhanced availability of essential evidence-based interventions."

As many as one out of 150 children today is diagnosed with autism, and the need for treatments continues to grow exponentially. Getting the right support at the earliest stage in life makes all the difference. Known as early intervention, this critical type of service gives children the skills they need to be successful. As the nation's largest non-profit provider of autism services, Easter Seals is committed to responding to the needs of families living with autism.

Families living with autism not only require access to services, but also to appropriate insurance coverage for these critical treatments. A portion of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust gift will underwrite a study by Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute to provide resources to families living with autism.

"CVS Caremark is committed to helping improve the quality of life for children with autism through this grant," said Eileen Howard Dunn, senior vice president, Corporate Communications and Community Relations, CVS Caremark. "By supporting Easter Seals in enhancing evidence-based therapies, our reach can impact families living with autism now and those who may be diagnosed in the future."