MARSHALL — In southwest Minnesota, there is a need for support services for people with autism. But it’s not always easy for families to find the support they need, Dr. Amber Bruns said. Bruns, the clinical director of behavioral health services at the READY Clinic, said organizers of an upcoming conference hope to help make some of those connections.

The READY to Shine Conference will be held in Marshall on April 23. The regional conference will bring together speakers on different topics impacting people with autism through different stages of life. Featured speakers will include health care providers, autism service providers, representatives of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and parent advocates.

Along with the conference, there will also be a resource fair featuring area organizations and support service providers.

“We are going to have different resources for families that have children with special needs,” Bruns said.

Bruns said this will be the second annual READY to Shine event, by the READY Clinic and Southwest West Central Service Cooperative. The READY Clinic, which provides early intensive developmental and behavioral interventions for children with autism, has locations in Marshall, Montevideo and Cosmos.

“There is a really big need for services in our area,” Bruns said. But in rural communities, it can be a challenge for parents of children on the autism spectrum to find and access those services.

Last year, the READY to Shine event was geared toward raising awareness of the READY Clinic, Bruns said. This year, the idea is for the conference and resource fair to help bring support service providers and area families together.

The READY to Shine Conference and READY to Connect Resource Fair will be open to the public, Bruns said. The conference will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on April 23, at The Upper Room in Marshall. The resource fair will follow, from 4:15 to 6.

More information about the conference, and links to registration, can be found online at https://www.swwc.org/schools/readyclinic/ready-to-shine.

Bruns said support service providers are also welcome to share their information or be part of the resource fair.