Training, Education and Research Institute Receives $150,000 Grant from The California Wellness Foundation for Primary and Preventive Dental Care for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

DANA POINT, CA, January 15, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Training, Education and Research Institute (TERI, Inc.), a San Diego-based private, non-profit center of excellence and social change for persons with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families, gratefully accepts a $150,000 grant award from The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). The grant will be paid out over a three-year period for primary and preventive dental care for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in San Diego County.

TERI, Inc's primary and preventive oral health services is being funded by a grant from The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). Created in 1992 as a private, independent foundation, TCWF's mission is to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness, education and disease prevention.

The National Health Interview Survey reports that the most prevalent unmet need for individuals with developmental disabilities is dental care, noting that certain disabilities hinder the skills needed to perform simple oral hygiene functions, increasing the possibility of tooth decay and gum disease. The grant award from TCWF will provide nurse case management and preventive and primary dental care services to a minimum of 20 individuals with developmental disabilities annually, restorative work to a minimum of three individuals annually, and documentation of the care provided and the impact of oral health services in this specific population.

"We are so grateful for The California Wellness Foundation recognizing the imminent need in our population and awarding the funding to institute proper care," said Cheryl Kilmer, founder and CEO of TERI, Inc. "In addition to the two-year, $175,000 grant given in 2009, the TWCF has again provided us the opportunity to continue our commitment to set new standards of life quality and establish model programs in health and fitness, among other areas."

To learn more about TERI or its various programs, please visit http://www.teriinc.org. For more information about The California Wellness Foundation, please visit http://www.calwellness.org/.

About Training, Education and Research Institute (TERI, Inc.):
Founded in 1980, TERI, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) California corporation. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities and learning disabilities, specializing in serving individuals who have needs which cannot be met by other existing programs. TERI looks to the future by continuing its commitment to set new standards through establishing model programs, conducting applied research in best practices and procedures and offering training and consultation to professionals, families, and community members. Recognized as a model program in the State of California for the quality of services it provides to its clients, TERI relies on donations from the community and foundations in order to continue to set the highest standards and ensure an uncompromised quality of life to its population. For more information, visit http://www.teriinc.org.