Rising Stars: Meet Jen Coats + The LBC Hero Squad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Coats + The LBC Hero Squad.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
LBC Hero Squad is a part of the movement in Long Beach, CA. to make the city an Autism Certified City. This has only been done previously in Mesa, AZ. We are working with the organization International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to help families in our community that have members with LBC Hero Squad is a part of the movement in Long Beach, CA to make the city an Autism Certified City. This has only been done previously in Mesa, AZ. We are working with the organization International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to help families in our community that have members with autism and families that want safe and welcoming travel options as well.

The certification focuses on 6 areas:
1. Hospitality
2. Education
3. Healthcare
4. Inclusive Hiring + Workplace Neurodiversity
5. City Government + Public Safety
6. Entertainment

We are working with local city council members (Suzie Price, Stacy Mungo and Al Austin), The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and The Convention and Visitor’s bureau to coordinate this effort.

This is an amazing opportunity for Long Beach to provide safe, welcoming and inclusive places for people diagnosed with autism and their families. Restaurants, Hotels, Hospitals, Businesses, Police and Fire personnel, LBUSD, tourist destinations and more all have the opportunity to go through training on how to provide quality services for people with autism and other neurodivergent individuals. They are certified as an Autism Certified Center and added to IBCCES list of Autism friendly destinations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
People diagnosed with autism, as well as their families, face many obstacles and challenges. Quality and inclusive education options, healthcare options, caregiver options, job opportunities and overall support in general are often overlooked when it comes to the disabled community as a whole. Disability transcends every race, culture and socioeconomic class. Yet it is rarely included in most DEI discussions. Awareness and acceptance is key to providing inclusion and equity for all. LBC Hero Squad is committed to promoting a city-wide culture of kindness and acceptance, celebrating differences of all children.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Creating autism-friendly events in our community and schools. Spreading awareness and acceptance of autism. While promoting the importance of being kind to our neurodivergent friends.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
$262 billion dollars are spent on autism-related services in the US per year. 1 in 44 kids are diagnosed with ASD.
ASD is at a 600% increase and is the fastest-growing neurological disorder.

Marriott saw a 32% increase in first-time guests and a 50% increase in employee morale score in the first 2 months. Busiest media event of the year at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

Doubled out-of-region guests at Discovery Cove in the first three months.

400 families on opening day at Sesame Place.

Contact Info:

• Website: lbcherosquad.org
• Instagram: @lbcherosquad
• Facebook: @lbcherosquad
• Youtube: LBCHeroSquadVideos
• Other: e-commerce site: viberightclothing.com/collections/lbc