There are many great opportunities to connect with Emerald Coast Autism Center this year and play a part in providing necessary services to individuals with autism in our community.
The national incidence rate of children diagnosed with autism increased in 2025, going from 1 in 36 children to 1 in 31 children. Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC) is one of this area’s major resources for children with autism. As a nonprofit, ECAC puts on several fundraising events each year to raise money to continue providing these necessary resources for their clients, students, and their families.
ECAC provides Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, education, and vocational training to children and young adults with autism and other related unique abilities across northwest Florida. The center was founded in 2009 by Heidi Blalock and Staci Berryman to fill a need in the community and initially served five clients while sharing their space with another business. Now, ECAC has expanded to two buildings of their own on the Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) campus and provides services to over 100 children and young adults between the clinic and the newly built school, Emerald Coast Learning Center (ECLC).
The expansions are made possible through special events and donations from the community. Each year, ECAC hosts the ONE Campaign to benefit their scholarship fund and raise awareness by encouraging everyone to run or golf for the one in their lives affected by autism. The campaign is comprised of the ONE Run 5k on Saturday, May 2 and the Hole in ONE Golf Tournament on Friday, September 18.
In addition to the ONE Campaign, ECAC will be hosting two other special events in 2026 to raise funds to provide the best care and education possible for their clients, students, and families.
Girls Just Wanna Have Lunch will be a women-focused event at The Wine Bar – Grand Boulevard on Saturday, February 21, from 2- 4 p.m. This is an exclusive event with limited seating, so tickets will sell quickly. Tickets are $50 and include food, two glasses of wine, and a raffle ticket and are available on Eventbrite and on ECAC’s website – www.ecautismcenter.org.
Fleets & Eats, a bar hop by boat on the Destin Harbor, will take place on Saturday, October 24. This year, The Edge Seafood Restaurant & Skybar is generously providing the boat and afterparty location. The other locations will be announced later this year, and will each have heavy appetizers and a signature cocktail. Tickets for Fleets & Eats will be available closer to the event.
For more information about events and day-to-day happenings at Emerald Coast Autism Center, please visit their website or Facebook page. To sponsor, donate a raffle prize, or volunteer, contact Jordan Eberle at ECACoutreach@ecautismcenter.org.
