Fourteen years ago, leaders from healthcare, education and community organizations came together around a shared concern; families in the Inland Empire needed better access to comprehensive developmental evaluations for children, regardless of income.
That vision led to the creation of the Inland Empire Autism Assessment Center of Excellence (AACE). On September 9, AACE celebrated its 10th anniversary alongside the partners who helped make that vision a reality.
What began as a regional collaboration grew into a trusted resource for families seeking answers and support for developmental concerns. Over the past decade, more than 7,000 children have received comprehensive evaluations through AACE, helping families better understand their child’s needs and connecting them to services and resources that support a child’s development. AACE brings specialists in psychology, pediatrics, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, neurology and behavioral health together to provide coordinated care.
“We are filled with gratitude for the community that has supported us every step of the way, and are deeply thankful to the families, community organizations and partners who believed in our mission,” said Dr. Kiti Randall, AACE Medical Director. “Our partners’ trust and encouragement have helped turn a vision into a lasting resource for our community. This milestone belongs not only to our clinic, but to everyone who has helped make our work possible.”
First 5 San Bernardino is proud to congratulate AACE on this important milestone and looks forward to seeing the organization continue its mission of advancing advocacy, innovation and family-centered care throughout the region.