Blue Envelope Program, now in dozens of Illinois cities, helps police better support residents with autism

ELGIN, Ill. - April marks Autism Awareness Month — a time to celebrate understanding and inclusion for individuals on the spectrum.

The Autism Hero Project, an Illinois nonprofit, is turning that mission into action through a life-changing partnership with Elgin police and its Blue Envelope Program. 

What to know:

From traffic stops to everyday community interactions, the Autism Hero Project is working to change how police respond — setting both officers and individuals with autism up for success.

Traffic stops can be stressful for any driver. For individuals on the autism spectrum, those moments can be even more challenging.

"So often our families feel like they're in isolation and that they're doing this journey alone," said Tamika Lecheé Morales, founder & executive director of the Autism Hero Project. 

Morales, whose son Maximillian is on the autism spectrum, founded the organization nearly a decade ago to help families navigate insurance and therapy, provide scholarships, and offer support.

More recently, she added another initiative to the toolbox. 

In cities enrolled in the Blue Envelope Program, police are trained on how to respond when someone hands them a blue envelope. It contains identification, insurance, and emergency contacts — information that can be particularly helpful if the person communicates non-verbally or may need extra time to respond.

"It just really changes from a place of fear to a place that, I understand you, you understand me, and it builds that bridge," Morales said. 

Dig deeper:

The Elgin Police Department was the first agency to partner with Morales, launching the Blue Envelope Program last April. 

"Peace of mind," said Det. Chad Benavidez with the Elgin Police Department. "It's just an envelope with some paperwork in it, but at the end of the day, it can be the difference between saving someone's life."

This month, Elgin police also partnered with The Autism Hero Project to unveil what's described as a first-of-its-kind "Autism Interactive Vehicle."

The vehicle is built to serve as both a response tool during real police calls and a learning space where people with autism can practice everyday interactions, like traffic stops, in a controlled environment.

Inside, the vehicle includes tools to support communication and self-regulation. These features include breathing exercises, counting prompts, and options for non-speaking communication, such as picture systems and speller boards. 

Plus, prompts inside the vehicle guide officers to ask questions about comfort, such as whether someone is hungry, in pain or needs help.

"We can actually use this car to communicate. So there's bunch of different pictures on it, they can point to it, and it allows them to help them get their needs across," Benavidez said. 

According to the Autism Hero Project, the plan is to bring the vehicle to schools, community events and gatherings across Elgin, offering hands-on experiences.

Meanwhile, the Bartlett Police Department is one of the latest suburban agencies to enroll in the Blue Envelope Program. 

"What the whole goal of this is, it's aimed to be a better, smoother, safer interaction for both the driver and the officer," said Sgt. Christopher Johnson with the Bartlett Police Department. 

For Sgt. Johnson, his inspiration is his own son, 5-year-old Christopher, who is autistic.

"I want to know that when he's able to drive, that there are programs and initiatives out there like this — that I know he's safe. And I know there's officers out there that are treating my son with dignity and respect and understanding," Johnson said. "The goal is to have the family members also understand that hey, we're out there, we are here to learn, we're here to treat everybody with dignity and respect and also understand that we are supportive of you."

What's next:

Morales is now spearheading bipartisan legislation to support the program through House Bill 4472. It unanimously passed the Illinois House and now advances to the Senate.

If approved, the program would expand statewide in partnership with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office.

"Never in my wildest dreams could I have dreamed this up to be as beautiful and as large as it has become," Morales said. "It just keeps getting better and stronger, and as more police departments come on with more questions, we're growing with them."

To find out if your local police department participates in the Blue Envelope Program, inquire with them directly or email autismheroproject@gmail.com. 

ElginNews