Denver, CO, September 19, 2024 – The Fedcap Group today announced that its Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) school, which is dedicated to job training for the neurodivergent community, was approved by the Colorado State Education department as the state’s first-ever Specialized Day School. 

The TACT program in Colorado was founded to address the high unemployment rates among individuals with autism by providing comprehensive trades, digital, and STEM training. The focus of the TACT program is on hands-on, practical vocational training for neurodivergent students, with employment and workforce development at the heart of the curriculum. 

“The TACT program has been life changing for so many neurodivergent young people and this designation will increase our positive impact for students and the Colorado workforce,” said Chris McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “TACT has proven how critical it is to integrate education with real-world skills for neurodivergent students, and TACT is at the forefront of making that integration a reality. We’re proud to help neurodivergent students build pathways to meaningful careers in high-demand industries.”

Danny Combs, Founder and President of TACT, said, “Becoming Colorado’s first Specialized Day School is a validation of the work we’ve been doing to empower neurodivergent individuals through vocational education. We’ve always believed that hands-on training in the trades is one of the best ways to create career opportunities for these young adults, and this designation allows us to reach even more students.”

TACT provides comprehensive trades, digital, and STEM training and creating meaningful employment opportunities—all fully accredited secondary and post-secondary through Cognia offering industry recognized certifications.  Upon completion, TACT has achieved success in placing individuals with autism into jobs, boasting an 83% placement rate in competitive, integrated employment which exceeds the national average of 10%.  

Judy Stirman, from the Colorado Department of Education Office of Facility Schools, said, “The approval of TACT as a Specialized Day School under SB 23-219 is a landmark achievement in Colorado’s education landscape. It not only addresses the growing need for specialized vocational training but also ensures that neurodivergent individuals are fully supported as they transition into adulthood and the workforce.”

The new designation will strengthen TACT’s connection to industries in need for a highly trained workforce. Companies like General Air, Weifield Electric, Sturgeon Electric, Groove Auto, Schomp Auto, and Jiffy Lube, partner with TACT, are excited about the new opportunities this designation provides. Corporate sponsors, including Miller Electric, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Subaru, have been instrumental in supporting TACT’s mission and are thrilled by the creativity, dedication, and leadership that paved the way for this groundbreaking achievement.

“This is a milestone for neurodivergent individuals seeking employment,” said Tiffany Feingold, from The Colorado Neurodiverse Chamber of Commerce. “Programs like TACT help break down barriers to employment by equipping students with real-world, applicable skills that industries desperately need.”

The new funding model under SB 23-219 will enable TACT to offer a tailored curriculum designed to meet the unique needs of its students, bridging the gap between education and employment and fostering long-term career success.

About The Fedcap Group

For nearly ninety years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training, and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term economic well-being. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

About TACT

TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) is a Denver-based nonprofit organization founded to encourage and empower the full spectrum of individuals with autism through skilled trades education and employment. Addressing the needs of the ASD community which experiences a 90% unemployment rate, TACT offers a strengths-based program developed specifically to provide training and create meaningful employment opportunities that are personally fulfilling to each individual student. For the autism community, TACT creates a future full of purpose and promise. For more information about TACT and its programs, please visit https://www.buildwithtact.org/.  

Contact:

Jim Malatras, 212-727-4200, (JMalatras@fedcap.org)