What is the "Code Joshua" autism emergency alert registry?

The "Code Joshua" registry, launched by Kerry Rich and Mizpah Brown-Rich's nonprofit, allows families to voluntarily provide details about their autistic loved one's triggers and calming techniques to local police, so officers can respond appropriately in an emergency.

How many police officers have Kerry Rich and Mizpah Brown-Rich trained on autism awareness?

The couple has trained over 3,000 officers, from local law enforcement to the Department of Justice, on how to communicate sensitively with people on the autism spectrum.

Why did Kerry Rich and Mizpah Brown-Rich start their nonprofit Joshua's Gift?

The couple was inspired to start the nonprofit after a frightening encounter in 2023, when an officer nearly misinterpreted their son Joshua's behavior at a police station, nearly drawing his gun.

Home / Health / Fremont Couple's Nonprofit Trains 3,000+ Police to Protect Autistic Community

Fremont Couple's Nonprofit Trains 3,000+ Police to Protect Autistic Community

13 Nov

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Summary

1 in 5 autistic people stopped by police by age 21
Couple founded nonprofit to support families and educate first responders
Launched "Code Joshua" autism emergency alert registry with Fremont police

Fremont Couple's Nonprofit Trains 3,000+ Police to Protect Autistic Community

In 2025, a Fremont couple is leading the charge to improve interactions between law enforcement and the autistic community. Kerry Rich and Mizpah Brown-Rich founded the nonprofit Joshua's Gift in 2017 to support families living with intellectual and developmental challenges.

The couple's mission took on new urgency after a troubling incident in 2023, when Brown-Rich was at a police station and her son Joshua, then 19, was nearly misinterpreted by an officer. This prompted the couple to start educating first responders on how to communicate sensitively with people on the autism spectrum.

With community support, including from the Golden State Warriors, the nonprofit has now trained over 3,000 officers, from local law enforcement to the Department of Justice. They've also teamed up with Fremont police to launch "Code Joshua," a first-of-its-kind autism emergency alert registry. Families can voluntarily provide details about their loved one's triggers and calming techniques, so officers can respond appropriately in an emergency.