Submitted photos Donna Stewart, an Intervention Specialist at the Columbiana County Educational Opportunity School, successfully implemented her classroom-centered lemonade and snack stand after she won third place in the 2025 Autism Society of Mahoning Valley’s Teacher Mini-Grants Program.

Staff report

The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley is now accepting applications for its 2026 Teacher Mini-Grants Program, which provides funding to educators serving autistic students throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

Made possible by the support of Associated School Employees Credit Union, the Teacher Mini-Grants Program invests directly in local classrooms and educators who help students with autism and other special needs thrive. This year’s program will award grants of $750, $500 and $250 to support innovative classroom projects, including sensory resources, communication tools, life-skills programming, inclusive learning materials, and other initiatives that help students succeed.

Applications are due Aug. 1 and grant recipients will be recognized during a special all-educators Teacher Appreciation Night Aug. 12 hosted by Gorant Dessert Bar in Boardman.