Founded in 2005, the Florida Autism Center serves the Florida Panhandle, Central Florida, and Florida’s Central East Coast. Owned and operated by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, the center provides treatment for children based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, which uses techniques and principles to foster meaningful and positive behavioral change.
In 2011, the center relocated its headquarters from Central Florida to Tallahassee. In June 2012, Florida Autism approached the FSBDC at Florida A&M University (FAMU) looking to strategically expand its operations while improving its operating efficiencies. At the time, the center had two locations in Central Florida and one in Tallahassee with a reported sales level of approximately $780,000. Since that time, with the guidance and support of the FSBDC at FAMU, the center has achieved exceptional growth. The center now has four locations, 58 employees, and, in 2014, reported sales of nearly 3 million dollars.
The company’s leadership team continues to train and equip its personnel to meet the growing needs of their clientele. In 2014, the center started a Leadership Development Series to promote potential leaders from within the organization and provided tuition assistance to more employees than ever before.
The Florida Autism Center attributes part of its success to the assistance provided by the FSBDC at FAMU.
“Working with [the consultants at] the [FSBDC] has been a great experience for us at the Florida Autism Center,” said Executive Director Chrystin Bullock. “Through their guidance, we have been able to make smart and timely decisions that [have had a] tremendous effect on our business. They provided [valuable market research and other information] that we would not be able to cull independently, especially in a timely manner to make decisions. They provide us with ideas, knowledge, [and resources] for sound and smart growth."
