Building strong partnerships for greater impact.

In September 2026, Straight From The Heart International, Inc. (SFTH) entered into a Technical Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (TPCA) with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Liberia, marking an important step toward strengthening national support systems for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Liberia.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Health formally recognizes SFTH as a civil society technical partner with experience in Autism and IDD programming, stakeholder engagement, research, and community-based initiatives. SFTH will provide technical support to develop, implement, and strengthen national initiatives related to ASD and IDD, including policy dialogue, training, community engagement, and program development.

The partnership focuses on several priority areas, including early identification and screening, strengthened referral pathways, caregiver and family support training, inclusive education, community-led stigma reduction, workforce capacity building, and stronger national policies and systems for Autism and IDD services. The agreement also provides for collaboration with health facilities, community health workers, education authorities, caregivers, civil society organizations, and community leaders.

A Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG), chaired by the Ministry of Health and co-chaired by SFTH, will help coordinate implementation, review progress, address challenges, and facilitate engagement among relevant stakeholders.

This partnership marks an important step in SFTH International’s mission to help build a Liberia where autistic individuals and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have greater access to early identification, appropriate support, education, inclusion, dignity, and opportunities to thrive. Together, we are moving from awareness to action—building sustainable support systems for Autism and IDD across Liberia.

Regional Director Ibrahim B. Dukuly signed the Technical Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on behalf of SFTH International, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Catherine Cooper signed it on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

Straight From The Heart International, Inc. and The Amos Claudius Sawyer Foundation formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 16, 2026.

Areas of collaboration include caregiver training, professional capacity building, early identification and diagnostic capacity, inclusive education, research and policy engagement, healthcare and social protection advocacy, and resource mobilization.

SFTH contributes technical expertise in neurodevelopmental disabilities, training, program development, monitoring and evaluation. The Amos Claudius Sawyer Foundation supports policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, government relations, and coordination with national and regional partners.

Together, we are advancing inclusion, strengthening systems, and improving opportunities for children, adults and families affected by autism and other developmental disabilities across Liberia and West Africa.

Straight From The Heart International, Inc. is proud to collaborate with St. Claire’s Nursery / St. Claire’s Neurodiverse Girls Initiative in Nigeria through a Memorandum of Understanding established in September 2026.

The partnership focuses on developing and expanding caregiver education and neurodiversity support through the Bridges of Hope Training Center. Training is designed to improve support for children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

SFTH serves as the lead technical partner, providing curriculum development, quality assurance, trainer preparation, monitoring and evaluation, and technical guidance. St. Claire’s serves as the local implementing partner in Nigeria.

Together, we are strengthening caregiver skills, supporting neurodiverse children and families, promoting evidence-based practices, and expanding inclusive support across Africa.

Together, we are working to strengthen early screening and referral pathways for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities, train community workers and educators, and promote inclusive education.

The partnership begins with a pilot in six Monrovia communities, with plans for expansion based on the pilot’s results.