Positive Partnerships is pleased to announce the continued commitment by the Australian Government through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) of funding for phase two of Positive Partnerships (2012 – 2015).

Positive Partnerships will be delivered by Partnerships between Education and the Autism Community (PEAC).This is a national consortium comprising Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) as the lead agency, Autism Queensland, Autism SA and Flinders University SA.

Our focus will be to build upon the successful outcomes of the past four years, and to ensure the continuation of high quality Positive Partnerships' workshop delivery, materials and practical resources.

The 2012-15 Positive Partnership Program will:

• Continue to provide workshops to parents/carers, giving participants the tools to form mutually beneficial partnerships with their children’s school.
• Create an “autism friendly” culture in schools by training more teachers, school leaders and other education professionals about how to best support students with autism in the classroom.
• Increase autism support and training in regional/rural areas, through workshops and online materials.

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) (lead agency)

Aspect is Australia's largest service provider for autism spectrum disorders and provides services for children and adults, in the form of early intervention and schooling, incorporating eight specialist schools, as well as adult programs.

For more information visit www.autismspectrum.org.au

Autism Queensland

Autism Queensland is Queensland's largest provider for autism spectrum disorders and provides education and family support, assessment and transition and itinerant education support.

For more information visit www.autismqld.com.au

Autism SA

Autism SA is the oldest autism specific organisation in Australia and the only non-government organisation in South Australia that specialises in the delivery of services to people with an autism spectrum disorder, and their families.

Flinders University

Flinders University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Adelaide, South Australia, other parts of the country and overseas. The School of Education’s research program focuses on working with government and industry to address real-world educational issues and challenges.

For more information visit www.flinders.edu.au