By Shannon Lukens.

 

Yampa Valley Autism is raising money for a permanent home in the Yampa Valley.

Executive Director Heidi Mendisco says it will allow Yampa Valley Autism to expand services and support more families in Routt, Moffat, and Grand counties after more than 20 years in the Yampa Valley.

“This really allows us to have a permanent home in the valley forever. The coolest thing is it will decrease our overhead costs by 60 percent which means we can serve more kids in the valley, which is really exciting.”

 

Yampa Valley Autism currently rents office space but they are under contract for a permanent home on Mid Valley Drive, which is near Walgreens in Steamboat. It is ADA accessible and on the bus line, and there are private offices for therapy sessions.

And the goal is to expand even further with offices in Moffat County.

 

“Eventually we can find a home in Moffat County and just be serving more kids.”

 

Yampa Valley Autism provides therapy, job training, and school support to individuals ages three to 21 with neurodiversity and developmental disabilities.

Their services increased 30 percent last year and that is expected to double next year.

The goal is to raise $400,000 in the Capital Campaign to move into the new space. Mendisco says they have a donor that will match that amount.

Find out more and donate at YampaValleyAutism.org

Yampa Valley Autism is under contract to purchase a new, permanent location for serving Routt, Moffat and Grand counties. They’ve started a fundraising campaign. Here’s more.

 

Press Release from Yampa Valley Autism; April 17, 2025

 

Yampa Valley Autism Program Expands Services, Launches Capital Campaign for Permanent Home

 

Steamboat Springs, CO — April is Autism Awareness Month, and the Yampa Valley Autism Program (YVAP) is excited to share some impactful updates on how we’re supporting neurodiverse individuals and families in our rural community.

 

YVAP has been serving neurodiverse individuals in the Yampa Valley for over 20 years. Founded by six local mothers who sought support for their children, our organization has grown to serve both Routt, Moffat and Grand Counties. We offer a wide range of services, including therapy, work readiness training, special activity supports, and community and school-based programming. We are proud to partner with all Yampa Valley school districts and work with individuals of all ages and diagnoses—52% of those we serve have a diagnosis other than autism.

Over the past year, demand for our services has surged. We saw a 30% increase in the number of individuals served, and we’re projecting a 57% increase for the coming year. This growth reflects both the need in our region and the trust that families place in YVAP.

 

One of the most significant milestones this past year was the launch of local diagnostic services. Thanks to a Yampa Valley Community Foundation Impact Grant, we now partner with Dr. Gau, who travels to our Steamboat Springs office every other month to provide on-site diagnostic evaluations. Before this, families faced waitlists of 18–24 months at Children’s Hospital Colorado and often had to travel long distances to the Front Range—creating emotional, logistical, and financial barriers. Early intervention is crucial, and we are proud to help families access timely evaluations and begin services sooner.

 

As one of our board members shared, when her son was diagnosed years ago, she was simply told he had autism and directed to call a local social worker when she returned home. She remembers feeling overwhelmed and alone. Today, YVAP is changing that story. Families now receive comprehensive support and guidance as they navigate the path forward.

 

In addition to launching diagnostic services, YVAP has expanded programming into Moffat County. And with our continued growth, we are thrilled to announce that we’ve identified a permanent home for our organization right here in Steamboat Springs.

 

We recently kicked off a Capital Campaign at our annual Masquerade Ball, with a goal of raising $400,000 to move into this new space. A permanent home will allow us to further expand our services, support more families, and create a lasting foundation for neurodiverse individuals in our community. We are actively seeking donors and supporters who want to be part of this important chapter in our story.

 

We would be honored if you would consider sharing YVAP’s journey—highlighting the challenges that rural families face in accessing autism services, and how local partnerships are creating real, lasting change. We’re happy to provide more information or connect you with families and team members who can share their stories firsthand.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration—and for helping us build a more inclusive, supportive future for all.