Passionate Professionals and Dedicated Volunteers

Puzzle Navigation FAQ Board of Directors Mission & Vision

Our motivation stems from the lived experiences of our founders, who intimately understand the hurdles faced by caregivers. We are committed to principles of empathy, support, and empowerment, believing that every family deserves access to available resources and no person should ever feel invisible. We aim to create a nurturing community for all families affected by autism.
Our Board of Directors is well balanced with experience and diversification across several areas, including direct care, human services, and support management.

Our Mission

Care Sphere is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for severely developmentally disabled adults by providing comprehensive supports to their care providers and circle of support. We strive to alleviate the challenges faced by caregivers through our GiveABreak™ Program, targeted funding, guidance, and access to specialized products. Our mission is to foster compassion and community for caregivers, who are so frequently under high stress and with significantly limited resources. Improving the quality of life for those who provide care and ultimately, those high-need individuals whose lives rest in their hands.

Our Vision

Transforming Lives, Creating Inclusive Futures: CareSphere envisions a world where caregivers of severely autistic adults and others with significant I/DD experience unwavering support, and individuals with autism lead fulfilling lives with as much dignity and independence possible. We aspire to be a catalyst for positive change, fostering a society that embraces neurodiversity and provides a nurturing environment where every person, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Care Sphere serve?
Care Sphere is dedicated to supporting families and caregivers of profoundly autistic adults with behavioral challenges, making specialized care particularly challenging. Our services focus on this high-need, underserved population who often require lifelong care and have few viable housing, program, or respite options.
What are the minimum requirements for someone to qualify for Care Sphere’s programs?
To be eligible for support through our programs, individuals must:
– Be providing full-time care to nonverbal adult with a formal autism diagnosis who:
– Has significant behavioral challenges
– Lives with the parent or family caregiver who provides full-time support
– Is being served by one of the 21 Regional Centers in California
Why does Care Sphere focus on this specific population?
We serve this population because they are too often overlooked—by existing systems, by the public, and even within broader autism services. Care Sphere was founded to change that.
Why is there so little public awareness about this crisis?
– Nonverbal autistic adults with high care needs are often insulated from the public. In some cases this relates to safety issues and in other cases it’s to avoid making their already stressful lives even moreso.
– Families are exhausted and overwhelmed.
– Public awareness and funding often focus on higher-functioning individuals.
– This population challenges conventional narratives around disability and independence.
What programs does Care Sphere offer?
1. GiveABreak – Direct relief for caregivers in crisis, coordinating respite and services in an effort to promote self-care
2. G.R.A.P.E.S. – Giving Resources And Products to Essential Supporters. We receive new products generously donated to Care Sphere by businesses and individuals. While we can’t control what gets donated, when we are able to match a product with a family that needs it, we provide it directly to them. Products that aren’t a match still add value, and are a vital component for our fundraising efforts
3. Creative Space – Art and education programs that offer expression, respite, and inclusion. This program included educational workshops, community engagement, live performances, and more.
Does Care Sphere provide direct services, such as respite or in home care?
– No. These services already exist. On a case-by-case basis, we will fund special circumstances where there is a high need for respite and the consumer’s current services fall short on funding it.
– Our support is in no way to be considered “generic resources” or supplemental support or income. It is a philanthropic intervention.
– We will only fund services provided by agencies approveed and in good standing with one of the 21 California Regional Centers or IHSS.
Can the general public participate in Care Sphere programs?
Yes! Our Creative Space programs are at times open to the public via donation-based events and classes. This helps build inclusion and sustainability.
How is Care Sphere funded?
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by grants, private donations, fundraisers, and community sponsorships.
How can I support Care Sphere?
– Donate
– Volunteer
– Sponsor an event
– Share our mission
– Attend our events
Where is Care Sphere located?
We are based in California, with growing in-person and hybrid services available across the state.
Are there income limitations to receive support from Care Sphere?
No, there are no strict income limitations. However, we prioritize families with the least access to other support—including low-income households, single caregivers, and families without sufficient public services.

Board of Directors

Jason Shapiro

Board President

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Jason brings experience serving on boards of many nonprofits spanning the past 25 years. He currently serves as Care Sphere’s Board President and Executive Director. Jason founded Care Sphere out of firsthand experience, having navigated many of the same challenges the organization now works to ease for others.

Lea Rathbun

Treasurer

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Lea brings more than two decades of experience as a district coordinator for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, along with a deep commitment to underserved populations and a talent for crafting meaningful, lasting solutions.

Sixtus Aliriagwu

Secretary

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Sixtus brings a strong background in agency-based care, with a focus on supporting families impacted by profound autism. His experience centers on serving high-needs, nonverbal autistic adults with significant behavioral challenges, offering valuable insight into one of the most underserved populations.

Amy Turner

Member

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As the parent of a transitional-aged autistic son, Amy brings a deeply personal perspective to the board, along with a passionate commitment to improving support systems for individuals with profound autism and their families.

Tara Easton

Member

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Maria Gruning

Member

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As the owner of a care agency serving individuals in residential homes across New England, Maria brings firsthand insight into the complexities of delivering high-quality care in challenging circumstances—and the persistence required to navigate regulatory hurdles.

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