Cincinnati Center for Autism

03/14/2026

Reminder! 🐷

Cincinnati Center for Autism is participating in the Piggest Raffle Ever during Flying Pig Weekend!

Raffle tickets are $5 each, and CCA receives 100% of every ticket purchased for our group. Every ticket directly supports our students and programs.

Plus, with every ticket purchased, both the donor and CCA have a chance to win fabulous prizes.

Purchase tickets here:
https://piggestraffleever.com/

Flying Pig participants can also purchase Piggest Raffle Ever tickets during race registration.

Please share this post and help spread the word! Your support means so much to our students and community.

03/13/2026

Project Spotlight: Secondary Outdoor Space

The Sensory PlaySpace 2.0 project was a huge success. Now, Cincinnati Center for Autism is focused on creating a secondary-friendly outdoor space for our middle and high school students.
This space will include swing bays, a walking path, open turf recreation space, and a gathering area to encourage movement, independence, and peer connection.

If your company is interested in sponsoring one of our projects, please contact:
hwillis@cincinnaticenterforautism.org

03/09/2026

Upcoming Events at CCA!

✅SproutFest is only 6 weeks away! Join us on April 22nd!

✅We still have a few open spots on our Golf Outing Committee and would love additional help planning this fun event!

✅We are also looking for Hole Sponsors for the golf outing. Sponsoring a hole is a great way to support Cincinnati Center for Autism while showcasing your business to our community.

Flying Pig Marathon Team Update:

🐽Our team currently has 12 runners, and we would love to add a few more people to run with us! Discount code available, email Heather!

Comment below and let us know how you’d like to get involved!
You can also tag someone who might be interested or share this post to help spread the word.

03/06/2026

Staff Spotlight: Meet Taylor, our Educational Coordinator at CCA! She is wonderful and amazing, and we are glad to have her on the team!
What is one aspect of your role at CCA that often surprises people?

Honestly, every day is different in the best way. There is a lot of problem solving and flexibility that happens behind the scenes. A big part of my role is helping staff and families find the right support, and sometimes that simply means taking the time to listen.
What do you enjoy most about working at CCA?

I have loved getting to know all of the students over the years I’ve been at CCA, not just the students I worked with in my classroom. Now that I’m in my current role, I get to see the learning and growth happening across every room. I’ve been here since 2020, and it has been amazing to watch the students grow in their personalities and their skills over time.

If you could choose a superpower to help you in your role at CCA, what would it be and why?

If I could duplicate myself, that would be amazing. There are certain days where everything happens all at once!

What is a fun or interesting fact about you that people might not know?

I lived in a windmill in college for a year.

Describe CCA in one word.

BUSY!

What makes being part of the CCA community special to you?

CCA has been such a welcoming and safe community since I’ve been here. I have a sister with special needs, so this work is very personal to me. I know how important it is for families to feel supported, and I can truly relate to every family who walks through our doors.

03/03/2026

Tee Up for CCA! Join the Golf Outing Committee!
The Cincinnati Center for Autism is beginning to plan our annual Golf Outing on September 11 at Sharon Woods Golf Course, and we are seeking committee members to help make this important fundraiser a success.
This event directly supports our students, classrooms, and programs and strong community involvement makes a meaningful difference.
Committee members will assist with areas such as:
• Sponsorship & Corporate Outreach
• Golfer Recruitment
• Raffle & Food Coordination
• Event Logistics & Planning
The time commitment is manageable:
• 30–45 minute monthly meetings (primarily virtual)
• One in-person planning meeting in August at Sharon Woods
No golf experience is required. Skills in networking, organization, marketing, sales, or community engagement are incredibly valuable.
If you are interested in serving on the committee or would like more information, please reach out to Heather Willis, at hwillis@cincinnaticenterforautism.org

03/02/2026

Our team is what makes CCA so special! In this Staff Spotlight, we’re highlighting Christine Serbinski, our Transition Coordinator. Thank you for making our mission possible every day. • What is one aspect of your role at CCA that often surprises people? One aspect that often surprises people is how much strategy and relationship-building goes on behind the scenes. While the outcomes can be visible, a lot of my role involves listening carefully, anticipating needs, and connecting the right people and resources to create meaningful results. Most days I feel like my job is 50% being a detective, and 50% completing puzzles.
What do you enjoy most about working at CCA?
The best part of working at CCA is seeing our mission in action every day. The care and commitment from our team create an environment where students feel supported, confident, and comfortable being who they truly are.
If you could choose a superpower to help you in your role at CCA, what would it be and why?
If I could choose a superpower, it would be the ability to truly step into someone else’s shoes and understand their perspective instantly. I think when people feel seen and understood, it changes everything. Being able to do that even more deeply would help me support our students, families, and team in the most meaningful way possible.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you that people might not know?
I’m actually an ordained minister! I even officiated my brother’s wedding, which was equal parts special and nerve-wracking.
Describe CCA in one word.
Student-Centered (does a hyphenated word count as one word haha?!"
What makes being part of the CCA community special to you?
CCA isn’t just a workplace — it’s a community rooted in opportunity and purpose. Every day, I’m grateful to collaborate with a team that is passionate, mission-focused, and united in supporting our students’ success.

02/27/2026

We were honored to welcome EmPath for Autism to tour the Cincinnati Center for Autism!
Thank you to the incredible team at EmPath for Autism for taking the time to visit our facility, learn more about our mission, and connect around the shared work we are doing to support individuals with autism and their families.
EmPath for Autism is doing truly meaningful work! We are so grateful for organizations like theirs that are committed to strengthening our community through innovation, compassion, and collaboration.
Community partnership matters. When organizations come together with a shared purpose, the impact is greater for everyone we serve.
We encourage everyone to check out the amazing work they are doing:👉 https://www.empathforautism.com/
Thank you again for visiting, we look forward to continued partnership!

02/25/2026

It’s officially 8 weeks until April 22 which means Sproutfest is just 8 weeks away!

Are you planning to attend?

Join us for an evening full of fun, community, and spring vibes:

• Raffle baskets
• Local food trucks
• Face painting and balloon art
• A Bloom Bar where you can create your own potted plant to take home
• A special appearance by Mr. Redlegs and a visit from The Bearcat
…and so much more.

Invite your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, the more the merrier.

Like and share this post to help us spread the word.
Tag someone you’re bringing with you.

02/24/2026

Community Partner Spotlight!

RunWithMe: Cincy is a nonprofit, parent-led group based in Cincinnati, OH, that focuses on providing a safe, enclosed running space for kiddos with disabilities to exercise, form friendships, and build community!
This year's RunWithMe: Cincy SPRING running sessions will take place at the Lakota West Freshman running track located at 5050 Tylersville Road in West Chester, Ohio. This is a great opportunity to get active and enjoy the outdoors! To register to run or volunteer, visit the Run With Me: Cincy website: https://www.runwithmecincy.com/

02/23/2026

Community Partner Event – Sensory-Friendly Easter Egg Hunt!

We’re excited to share that our friends at Shining Spectrum Farmstead are hosting a sensory-friendly Easter Egg Hunt!

📅 Saturday, March 28, 2026
⏰ 11:00am–1:00pm
📍 6615 State Rd, Somerville, OH

This private event includes nature-based egg hunting, sensory stations, and opportunities to interact with goats in a calm, welcoming environment.

Registration is required to attend.
Please RSVP by March 14th with the names and ages of children in your party.

We are SO excited to share the details on our Easter egg hunt this year. It will no longer be at Makino Park like it has been in the past since we now have the space to have it at the sensory farm! 🥹🫶🏻

If you’re looking for an Easter Egg hunt with less noise, more nature and all the easter joy, this is the event for you! 🐣 This event is designed to be a sensory-friendly Easter Egg Hunt for children on the autism spectrum. There will be opportunities to interact with goats, find hidden eggs while hiking trails, sensory stations to play at, and plenty of space to be simply be YOU 💛🐐

Saturday March 28, 2026
11:00am-1:00pm
6615 State Rd Somerville, OH 45064
*This is a PRIVATE event and not open to the public. You MUST RSVP to attend*

🐣Please RSVP to attend by March 14th. We need the names and ages of children in your party.
🐇 We ask that everyone brings their own Easter basket to collect eggs. We will have a few in case anyone forgets.
🥾Please come prepared with old shoes or muck boots. We will have a variety of sizes if needed as well.
☀️This is not a timed egg hunt and families can come and go at any time during that time frame.

02/20/2026

We’re excited to share this inclusive program through the YMCA designed specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Adaptive Safety Around Water program helps swimmers build confidence, comfort, and essential safety skills in and around the water, all in a supportive environment.

✔️ Free program
✔️ Parent or caregiver accompanies swimmer in the water
✔️ Focused on safety, confidence, and skill-building

This is such an important opportunity for families who want their children to feel safe and empowered around water.

The program is currently offered at:
• East Butler YMCA
• Atrium YMCA
• Fitton YMCA

If you’re interested, reach out directly to the appropriate YMCA contact listed on the flyer to begin the application process.

Water safety saves lives and confidence changes everything.

02/19/2026

Staff Spotlight: Haley Damron. Director of Operations! We love Haley! She keeps CCA up and running and she does wear so many hats! She is passionate about her work, and we are SO lucky to have her!

What is one aspect of your role at CCA that often surprises people?
People are often surprised by how many different hats I wear at CCA! Much of my work happens behind the scenes, but everything I do is focused on helping our students and staff have the best experience possible. My role includes a little bit of everything- overall operations, Human Resources, fundraising and development, networking, building oversight, and even IT support.

What do you enjoy most about working at CCA?
What I enjoy most about CCA is our students and families. They are the heart of everything we do. I love that CCA is truly student and family centered, and that every decision is made with their needs in mind.

I’ve been in this field for 14 years, and this month marks my 6th anniversary at CCA. What has kept me here is seeing the genuine commitment to helping each student succeed and reach their full potential. I started my journey at CCA working directly with students, and even after moving into administration, I’ve always valued staying connected to them, celebrating their victories, supporting them through challenges, and sharing in their growth.

My favorite moments are the ones spent interacting with students and families. They are a daily reminder of why this work matters and why the behind-the-scenes efforts are so important. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey, and they inspire me more than they know.

If you could choose a superpower to help you in your role at CCA, what would it be and why?
I would have the ability to clone myself- so I could be in multiple places at once to help anywhere I am needed!

What is a fun or interesting fact about you that people might not know?
I love going to concerts and seeing live music- I go to at least 2 concerts every year. My favorite concerts have been Backstreet Boys, Taylor Swift (The Eras Tour) and Garth Brooks.

Describe CCA in one word.
Empowering

What makes being part of the CCA community special to you?
What makes being part of the CCA community special to me is the shared heart behind what we do. Our staff, students, and families all come together with the same goal: helping each student grow and succeed. There’s a genuine sense of support, teamwork, and care here that you don’t find everywhere, and it truly feels like a community that lifts each other up.