Today, Phoenix-area community leaders and autism-impacted families gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the state’s first primary care clinic specifically designed to serve children and young adults with autism. Known as Arizona Autism Family Medicine: A Valle del Sol Clinic, the facility is co-located on the Phoenix Campus of Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS). The clinic is being operated by Valle del Sol and was made possible by a generous financial contribution from Mercy Care.
“Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony is truly the culmination of everything envisioned by my wife, AZACS founder Diana Diaz-Harrison. Just as she created Arizona Autism Charter Schools to ensure our son and other children with autism have a specialized place to attend school, she wanted to develop an autism-informed medical clinic to support the unique needs of patients with autism and their families, ” said AZACS co-founder and CEO Ron Harrison. “The opening of Arizona Autism Family Medicine is a huge step toward ensuring autistic children and young adults in our community have convenient access to outstanding, specialized primary care. We’re grateful for our partnership with Valle del Sol and Mercy Care for making this trailblazing clinic a reality.”
Arizona Autism Family Medicine is co-located with AZACS’ main Phoenix campus, providing easy access to over 1,200 AZACS students and their families. The clinic will also be open to members of the community seeking quality, autism-informed care, and will be operated by Valle del Sol, a trusted community healthcare provider with over 50 years of experience.
“Every child deserves access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare that meets them where they are,” said Mike Renaud, President & CEO of Valle del Sol. “This clinic is about removing barriers for families and creating a healthcare experience where children with autism and developmental differences can feel understood, supported, and cared for. We’re proud to partner with Arizona Autism Charter Schools, with generous support from Mercy Care, to bring this model to the community, and we’re excited to open these doors to families across the Valley.”
Arizona Autism Family Medicine is made possible by a $355,000 Community Reinvestment Grant issued in 2025 by Mercy Care. The funding was distributed as part of the organization’s Mercy C.A.R.E.S. philanthropic program[PS1], which supports strategic initiatives that expand access to behavioral health services, strengthen housing stability, and promote wellness for vulnerable populations.
“Arizona Autism Family Medicine will fill a critical gap in our community by providing integrated, compassionate medical and behavioral health tailored to the needs of children and young adults with autism,” said Debbie Hillman Toll, Chief Administrative Officer with Mercy Care. “Mercy Care is proud to support these and other efforts to better our community, and has invested nearly $45 million in the past decade to build basic needs, increase health access, manage chronic conditions, and support mental health and well-being.”
Arizona Autism Family Medicine is staffed with bilingual professionals trained to support patients across the autism spectrum, including high-needs individuals who may experience co-occurring conditions such as seizure disorders, gastrointestinal issues or anxiety. The facility offers preventative care, health education, peer-support groups and wraparound services, and key features include: a state-of-the-art sensory room, extended appointment times, and a care team equipped to provide a more comfortable and supportive health care experience for children and young adults with autism.
Arizona Autism Family Medicine is located at 1430 E. Indian School Road, in Phoenix.
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About Valle del Sol
Valle del Sol is a community-based health organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and families across Arizona. Through integrated primary care, behavioral health services, and community-based programs, Valle del Sol provides high-quality, culturally responsive care that meets patients where they are. By expanding access to care and addressing the broader factors that impact health, Valle del Sol works every day to build healthier communities.
Learn more or schedule an appointment at www.valledelsol.com.
About Arizona Autism Charter Schools
The mission of Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS) is to educate students with autism and other neurodiversity challenges using evidence-based strategies grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). AZACS’ vision is to empower students to reach their full potential in motivating, compassionate environments using individualized programs so that every child gains the skills to integrate into the community and become a fulfilled, productive citizen. Learn more at www.autismcharter.org.
About Mercy Care
Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.