Our History
Quest Autism Programs was founded in 2000 by a group of parents who were on a mission to ensure lifelong quality services for their teenage children with autism. The program began with after-school and weekend recreation activities. During this period, the founding families worked with professionals to develop a long term plan to create a full service day program for their children when they entered adulthood at age 21.
After five years of intensive planning, fundraising, the establishment of a 501(c)(3) Foundation and a unique partnership with the Wyckoff Family YMCA, the Quest Autism Adult Day Program opened its doors to serve its first participants in July of 2005.
By 2012, Quest expanded to two sites, one at the Wyckoff Family YMCA and a rental space in Ridgewood to accommodate the growth of the program. In 2016, Quest purchased its own building in Midland Park where it is located today at 159 Godwin Ave. in MidlandPark.
Mission
After 21 years old, adults with autism can typically sit at home for years waiting for an adult program and or funding while their parents navigate through a complex service system. In NewJersey alone, there are thousands of adults with developmental disabilities waiting for services and or funding.
The mission and vision of Quest that began 26 years ago holds true today - to promote and provide services to individuals with autism, including but not limited to vocational, residential, and recreational services that meet the needs of adults with autism throughout their lifespan.
The scarce number of agencies who have highly specialized programs for adults with autism is limited.Inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates and resulting low salaries for job coaches cause high staff turnover rates. Providing quality services is a daily struggle. Agencies report a constant stream of calls from parents literally crying out for help for their child.
When a family can no longer care for their adult child at home due to a death of a parent or caretaker, illness or old age, the developmentally disabled adult can regress both physically and psychologically. As negative behaviors escalate, the use of drugs increases and not uncommonly physical restraints are used.
The Quest AutismFoundation’s goal is to not only create a model for establishing and managing adult day programs, but to contribute to the state and national dialogue addressing the severe shortage of adult services.
Funding & Admissions
Funding
Quest is an approved Medicaid service provider and is licensed by the New Jersey Division of DevelopmentalDisabilities (DDD). Funding is received through the state’s waiver program, that may cover all or a portion of the services of participants.
To close the gap between public funding and the cost to deliver a higher quality of services, Quest also receives annual grants through the Quest Autism Foundation, a 501(c)(3)charitable organization that is dedicated to raising money to support programsthat support adult services.
Admissions
If your loved one or someone you know is in need of these services there’s great news - Admissions is now open! Interested candidates must be Medicaid eligible and have active coverage.
Contact: Admissions@questnj.orgfor more details!
Leadership
Michelle Matics, MHA LNHA CALA CDP - Executive Director
Ralph Auriemma, BA -Program Director
Melissa Packowski, MA, BCBA- Clinical Manager
Bryan Schwartz, BA -Program Manager
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