Bright Futures Learning Services recognized as U.S. SBA Woman-Owned Small Business of the year

Bright Futures Learning Services hosted several executives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Winfield today. SBA Regional Administrator, Michelle Christian, visited the Bright Futures facility to raise awareness of Autism Awareness Month and recognize local business owner, Jill Scarbro-McLaury.

Scarbro-McLaury founded Bright Futures in 2007. She recently expanded the practice and improved the facility with resource made possible by an SBA 504 loan. Bright Futures Learning Services provides behavioral treatment services to help improve the lives of children with autism.

Video of the visit available here.

The SBA West Virginia District recently named Bright Futures as the state’s 2019 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Scarbro-McLaury was nominated for the award by Doug Spaulding, a business coach with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC).

“Jill Scarbro-McLaury has an amazing success story. She is exactly the type of business owner who deserves to be recognized with this award,” said Debra Martin, WV SBDC state director. “Not only has she turned her passion for helping autistic children into a successful business, her advocacy work has been instrumental in changing public policy to create greater access to funding for these important services,” Martin said.

Bright Futures was one of the first providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. According to the Center for Autism, ABA helps those affected with autism improve social interactions, learn new skills, and maintain positive behaviors. The company also serves as a training facility for young professionals and has helped expand West Virginia’s number of certified ABA providers from 17 in 2011 to 65 as of 2018.

Scarbro-McLaury and winners in other small business categories will be honored during an event in Fairmont, May 8, as part of Small Business Week.

Related social media hashtag: #wvsbdc.