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PROJECT LIFESAVER

BRINGING LOVED ONES HOME

Project Lifesaver International program helps bridge the gap for protection and safety to locate loved ones of all ages who wander due to Autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's, dementia or other cognitive conditions.  To apply for the ASEC Scholarship program please click the 'Download Application' button,  print and complete the document.  To submit the application  via email, please scan and send to PLI@asecfl.com, or mail to P.O. Box 1786, Niceville FL 32588.  If you have any questions please contact Mr. Brad Burnette at 850-496-3062.

THE NEED

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released figures that indicate the growing prevalence of autism in this country is approximately 1 in 68 for school aged children (1 in 42 for boys and 1 in 189 for girls) having an autism diagnosis. Some of these children are fearless in wandering to new places and can be unaware of their surroundings and the dangers involved.

 

Once a child is separated from their family or lost, time is of the essence. Local civilian and military personnel and volunteers typically conduct these costly and time consuming rescue operations. These personnel may not all be trained in how to deal with autistic children. The rescue success rate can varies and even a successful rescue comes with stress and consternation.

THE SOLUTION

REGISTRATION

The Project Lifesaver International wristband is a one-ounce battery-operated radio transmitter with a 30+ day battery life that emits a trackable signal every second, 24 hours a day. The signal is tracked on the ground or in the air over several miles. Each wristband has a unique radio frequency allowing the Project Lifesaver International search team to positively locate and identify the person who has wandered.

There are two ways to enroll your family member into the Okaloosa / Walton counties PLI Program, ASEC Sponsorship or Private Party Pay, for those not qualifying for the scholarship.

 

ASEC Sponsorship: Families may apply for sponsorship of their family member  who has been diagnosed by a physician or medical professional as being on the autism spectrum.  To be eligible for the ASEC sponsorship families must have a ASEC paid  membership.   

 

ASEC provides a limited number of paid sponsorships each year. Sponsorships will be awarded on a first come first served basis.  ASEC will purchase the PLI bracelet and accessories.  Applicants will be responsible for the cost of the monthly maintenance fee of $10.

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Download and complete  the Scholarship Packet to begin enrollment into the PLI program. Printed copies of the registration packet may also be obtained by request by emailing PLI@asecfl.com.  

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Completed Scholarship applications may be mailed to ASEC at P.O. Box 1786, Niceville, FL 32588.  Applications can also be scanned and emailed to PLI@asecfl.com. All applications will be reviewed and approved/disapproved by the ASEC Board of Directors.

 

Private Party Pay:  Any adult family member or caregiver may register an Applicant in the Okaloosa / Walton counties PLI Program.  Individual Private Party Pay Applicants may purchase their bracelets directly from Covenant Alzheimer's Services , phone: 850-478-7790 and will be covered by the Okaloosa  / Walton PLI search program. 

PLI PROGRAM REGISTRATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Once you have completed your scholarship application packet and submitted it, ASEC will begin to process your packet.  At monthly meetings (usually conducted on the first Monday evening of each month) the Board of Directors will review all the

completed scholarship application packets that have been submitted.  Each packet is individually considered and scored to determine the ranking of the request.  Completed scholarship applications will be approved on a first come / first serve basis. ASEC conducts fundraisers to fund our Project Lifesaver International scholarships. Due to financial limitations, a scholarship packet requesting financial assistance can only be approved if the Applicant need is extreme and ASEC funds are available.
 

When any packet is approved, the applicant family /caregiver will be notified of their selection.  ASEC will schedule an initial bracelet/transmitter issue and training appointment. 

PLI PROGRAM INITIAL BRACELET ISSUE AND TRAINING

After approved registration in the Project LifeSaver International Program, Applicants and their caregivers or family members are required to receive initial training in the use of the bracelets and associated accessories.  Applicants will meet with a representative selected by ASEC at the scheduled time and place. ASEC will supply the bracelet, transmitter, initial batteries, transmitter tester, daily inspection sheet, and training for registered Applicants.  The Applicant will need to be present with the family member or caregiver to receive the PLI bracelet and instructions.
 

After the PLI bracelet is issued, a monthly meeting date will be scheduled for each Applicant and their responsible family member / caregiver.  The purpose of the required monthly meeting is to replace the battery in the bracelet, confirm the PLI bracelet operation, collect the daily inspection sheet for the previous month, issue a new daily inspection sheet, explain any changes in the Program or PL system operations, and to collect the monthly ASEC PLI maintenance fee.  Family member(s) or caregivers must be aware of their continuing responsibilities to keep track of the monthly date.  The interval is about 30 days.  Adult family members or caregivers agree as part of their contract to abide by the monthly meetings with the PLI bracelet battery and service appointments and must agree to have the Applicant present at each of the monthly meetings.  Monthly meetings will also review rescue procedures and transmitter number and frequency.
 

Bracelets, transmitters, and accessories (except Private Party Pay status) are on loan to Applicants while registered in the ASEC Project Lifesaver International program.  Bracelets, transmitters, and accessories remain the property of the ASEC and must be returned if the Applicant is leaving the area or when requested by ASEC.

PLI PROGRAM CONTRACT COSTS

There are two ways to enroll your family member into the Okaloosa / Walton counties PLI Program, ASEC Sponsorship or Private Party Pay, for those not qualifying for the scholarship.
 

Sponsorship: ASEC provides a limited number of paid sponsorships each year. ASEC will accept completed registration requests with Financial Aid Applications and Personal Data Questionnaire forms for potential enrollment into ASEC Project Lifesaver International. The ASEC Board of Directors will review each application.  Applicant applications with financial need not selected for sponsorship will be placed on a waiting list. Applicants on the waiting list will be funded when and if more funds become available. ASEC will purchase the PLI bracelet, transmitter and accessories (except monthly batteries and maintenance fee) for the Applicants selected for the sponsorship contract method. Applicants selected under the ASEC sponsorship contract will be responsible for the monthly maintenance fee of $10.
 

Sponsorships are for a one calendar year period. Annually sponsorships are reviewed and assessed to determine if the Applicant’s need or family financial need is as pressing as when the initial registration was submitted. If so, the sponsorship may be renewed for another calendar year. If not reapproved at the annual review, the Applicant will return their bracelet, transmitter and accessories and be placed on a waiting list until more ASEC funds or transmitters are available. The Applicant for family / caregiver may also opt to transition to private pay.
 

Private Party Pay: Any adult family member or caregiver may apply to register an Applicant in the Okaloosa or Walton PLI database and rescue effort. This includes Applicants who are on the waiting list for sponsorship. Individual Private Party Pay Applicants may purchase their bracelets directly from Covenant Alzheimer's Services , phone: 850-478-7790 and will be covered by the Okaloosa  / Walton PLI search program. The cost of bracelets will vary (approximately $300).  Registration procedures, monthly maintenance appointments, monthly service fee applicant missing reporting procedures, and rescue efforts are the same for sponsored or private pay applicants.

USE OF THE PLI SYSTEM

Once the registered individual is discovered missing he family / caregiver should search no more than 10 minutes for the potential wanderer/missing Applicant before they notify 911. The following information will required by the 911 Operator to activate search personnel.

 

  • Missing person’s name

  • Missing person’s Applicant number

  • Missing person’s transmitter number

  • Missing person’s transmitting frequency

  • Last known whereabouts 
     

The call to 911 will activate the search efforts. Depending upon the last known location of the wandering Applicant, search agencies from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties can be alerted. The time from the 911 call to the time the missing applicant can be located will vary.  Personnel who will conduct the searches have already received training to serve as electronic search specialists.

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