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Marty
Omoto - martyomoto@rcip.com
website: www.cdcan.us
Report #055-2008
- April 2, 2008 - Wednesday
Autism Awareness Month
* CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS UNVEIL AUTISM CRISIS
BILLS
* LEGISLATIVE AUTISM COMMISSION URGES PASSAGE
* Center on Disease Control Says Autism
"Public Health Crisis"
Studies Show Regional Centers Serve Only 20%
of Autism Cases
SACRAMENTO (CDCAN) - Under the shadow of an enormous budget deficit,
California legislative leaders marked Autism Awareness Month by
unveiling Wednesday morning (April 2) a package of 8 bills that they
hope will address what the US Centers on Disease Control and Prevention
calls a "national public health crisis".
The package of bills were a result of the findings of the Legislative
Blue Ribbon Autism Commission that was created by legislation in 2005 (SCR
55) by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (Democrat -Oakland) who at
the press conference observed that "virtually everyone in
California knows a family member, friend, co-worker or neighbor
struggling with challenges surrounding autism and its related
problems."
Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission Created in 2005
The Legislative Blue Ribbon Autism Commission consists of
health experts, family members, business leaders, educators and
researchers appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Perata and Assembly
Speaker Fabian Nunez (Democrat - Los Angeles).
The Commission is chaired by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (Democrat -
Sacramento), the new Senate leader who will be formally elected on
August 21 to succeed Perata as Senate President Pro Tem who said that
"..today this Legislature is responding strongly to the challenges
this disorder poses to the state."
Dr. Barbara Firestone, Commission Vice-Chair and President & CEO of
The Help Group said that the Commission's work and "broad
participation" of parents, families and others across the State
"...provides a momentous step in forging new directions for real
change".
The Commission, staffed by Sue North and Dr. Lou Vismara, a consultant
with the Senate Rules Committee and a parent of a child with
autism, held several public hearings and town hall meetings
throughout California, and released its findings and
recommendations in September 2007 to the Governor and Legislature in a
report titled "An Opportunity to Achieve Real Change for
Californians with Autism Spectrum Disorders". A copy of
the report is available on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us
Both Firestone and Vismara spoke to a large crowd of families, people
with disabilities and other advocates on March 14 at the 14th Annual
Area Board on Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum in Petaluma
and talked about the Commission report and findings and also the
legislative package of bills.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Effects 1 In Every 150 Children In US
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), commonly referred to as autism, are
brain based developmental disabilities characterized by language and
communication problems, impaired social interaction and repetitive rigid
behaviors and interests.
The disorder was once considered, as recently as the mid 1980's as rate,
is now the fastest growing serious developmental disability and now
effects 1 in every 150 children in the US and every 20 minutes another
child is diagnosed.
Both federal and state data report that cases of autism nationally
and in California has reached "epidemic proportions" and is
now more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and
pediatric AIDS combined.
Autism is four times more common in boys than girls and occurs in
children of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Nationally, the diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last
decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called
autism a national public health crisis. The economic impact of autism is
estimated to exceed $90 billion annually.
The Department of Developmental Services, which oversees the operations
of the 21 non-profit regional centers who in turn coordinate services
and supports provided by community-based organizations and individuals
for over 230,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities,
including those diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Due to various
reasons, including a narrowing of eligibility for services enacted in
2003 as a budget reduction measure, it is estimated that regional
centers serve only 20% of the people who are diagnosed somewhere on the
Autism spectrum.
Actor Gary Cole Says Bills Bring "Real Hope" Into
Lives of Families With Autism
Actor Gary Cole, who starred in the movie "Office Space" and
TV's Emmy award winning "West Wing", appeared at the press
conference with legislative leaders and spoke of the urgent need for
legislation, as a father of a child diagnosed with autism, said that
"...the Autism Commission has not only garnered enthusiastic
support from stakeholders and autism organizations, but today’s
California autism legislative package brings real hope into the lives of
individuals and families coping with autism throughout our state and
nation.".
Bills Cover Health Care, Outreach and Improved Coordination
of Services
The Autism legislative package includes the following bills. With
the budget deficit that still amounts to over $8 to $9 billion, it is
not clear how many of the bills tdealing with autism will survive the
legislative process or the receive approval from the Governor that
costs the state money:
SB 527 - AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: SCREENING
AUTHOR: Sen. Darrell Steinberg (Democrat - Sacramento, 6th District)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
* Would require pediatricians and primary care physicians
to routinely evaluate children under age five for symptoms of
autism spectrum disorders and to inform parents regarding
developmental disabilities and potential treatment.
* Would direct the Department of Developmental Services to
implement autistic diagnostic guidelines to the degree practicable.
LATEST ACTION 06/07/07: To Assembly Health Committee and Assembly Human Service Committee.
LATEST ACTION 06/07/07: To Assembly Health Committee and Assembly Human Service Committee.
CDCAN COMMENT: Would improve the early identification and
intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder.
SB 1563 - PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
AUTHOR: Sen. Don Perata (Democrat - Oakland, 9th District)
SUMMARY:
* Would require the Department of Managed Health Care and the
Department of Insurance to work in conjunction to review the standards
and best practice guidelines adopted by the Department of
Developmental Services on the screening, diagnosis, assessment,
intervention, and treatment of autism and pervasive developmental
disorders (including autism) and to develop recommendations on
ensuring that health care service plans and health insurers provide
appropriate and equitable coverage for those illnesses.
appropriate and equitable coverage for those illnesses.
* Would require those departments to submit those recommendations to
the Legislature no later than October 1, 2009.
LATEST ACTION 04/01/08: Set for hearing 04/16/08 Senate Health Committee.
LATEST ACTION 04/01/08: Set for hearing 04/16/08 Senate Health Committee.
CDCAN COMMENT: Would provide appropriate and equitable coverage for persons
with autism spectrum disorder, by private health plans and
insurers
SB 1175 - DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: REGIONAL CENTER FUNDED HOUSING
AUTHOR: Sen. Darrell Steinberg (Democrat - Sacramento, 6th District)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
* Would allow the Department of Developmental Services to approve
proposals from any regional for leasing housing and adds
"residential facility for persons with developmental
disabilities" to the definition of facilities that can be
financed by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority.
LATEST ACTION 03/26/08: Passed Senate Human Services Committee (vote 5 to 0). Referred to Senate Appropriations Committee. Set for hearing April 14.
CDCAN COMMENT: Expands potentially housing and independent living choices for all persons with developmental disabilities, but also for the growing population of children with autism that will soon reach adulthood.
LATEST ACTION 03/26/08: Passed Senate Human Services Committee (vote 5 to 0). Referred to Senate Appropriations Committee. Set for hearing April 14.
CDCAN COMMENT: Expands potentially housing and independent living choices for all persons with developmental disabilities, but also for the growing population of children with autism that will soon reach adulthood.
SB 1475 - AUTISM PILOT PROJECT
AUTHOR: Sen. Tom Torlakson (Democrat - Antioch, 7th District)
CDCAN SUMMARY
Would direct the Department of Developmental Services to use an advisory
body to identify best practices in providing a smooth transition
for young children with autism spectrum disorders and their families
when the children change programs provided through regional centers to
programs operated by the public schools.
CDCAN COMMENT: Improves the coordination of autism spectrum disorder
services and programs between regional centers and school districts
for children from birth to five years of age
SB 1364 - AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AUTHOR: Sen. Gil Cedillo (Democrat - Los Angeles, 22nd District)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
* Would require by January 1, 2010, the Department of Public
Health to establish the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Council
composed of 18 members, with 6 members each to be appointed by the
Senate Committee on Rules, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the
Governor.
* Would require the council to provide recommendations to the
Department of Public Health to enable it to deal more
effectively with the public health crisis of autism spectrum
disorders.
* Would also permit the Department of Public Health, in
partnership with the council, the Department of Developmental
Services, the Department of Education, and other appropriate state and
local agencies to establish a pilot project in 3 or more counties that
will provide a voluntary centralized registry for individuals with
autism
spectrum disorders.
spectrum disorders.
* Would require the Department of Public Health on or before June
1, 2012, to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature with
recommendations from the council, including findings and
recommendations about implementing a voluntary centralized registry
for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
* Would make its provisions inoperative on July 1, 2012, and
repeal them on January 1, 2013.
CDCAN COMMENT: Would improve community awareness and
outreach efforts on autism spectrum disorder by the
Department of Public Health
SB 1531 - PEACE OFFICER TRAINING: PERSONS WITH AUTISM
AUTHOR: Sen. Lou Correa (Democrat - Santa Ana, 34th District)
CDCAN SUMMARY:
* Would make available on DVD and electronically a course on how
to recognize and interact with persons with autism spectrum disorder.
* The course shall be designed for, and made available to, first
responders, as defined, to emergency situations.
LATEST ACTION 04/01/08: Set for hearing April 8 - Senate Public Safety
Committee
CDCAN COMMENT: Would improve the training and knowledge of
autism spectrum disorder among law enforcement officers.
AB 2302 - TEACHER CREDENTIALING: SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL - STUDENTS
WITH AUTISM
AUTHOR: Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass (Democrat - Los Angeles,
47th District)
CDCAN SUMMARY
* Would authorize a local educational agency or school to
assign a teacher who holds
a level 1 education specialist credential or a previously issued credential, that authorizes him or her to provide instruction to individuals with mild and moderate disabilities to provide instruction to pupils with autism, as defined , if the teacher consents to the assignment and satisfies certain criteria, as determined by the local educational agency or school.
a level 1 education specialist credential or a previously issued credential, that authorizes him or her to provide instruction to individuals with mild and moderate disabilities to provide instruction to pupils with autism, as defined , if the teacher consents to the assignment and satisfies certain criteria, as determined by the local educational agency or school.
* Local educational agencies and schools that assign teachers to
provide instruction to pupils with autism pursuant to the bill would
be required to report teacher assignments made pursuant to that
authority as part of their annual assignment monitoring pursuant to a
specified statutory provision.
* These provisions would become inoperative 2 years after the
commission adopts regulations to implement the recommended
modifications regarding specialist credentials, or on August 31, 2011,
whichever occurs first, and would be repealed on January 1,
2012
CDCAN COMMENT: Would expand the credentials that would
qualify teachers to educate students with autism spectrum disorder.
AB 1872 - SPECIAL EDUCATION: AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
CLEARINGHOUSE
AUTHOR: Assemblymember Joe Coto
CDCAN SUMMARY:
Would establish the California Autism Spectrum Disorder Clearinghouse
within the California Department of Education to provide
evidence-based and recommended information and practices
regarding the education of pupils with autism spectrum disorders.
LATEST ACTION 04/02/08: PASSED Assembly Education Committee. Referred
to Assembly Human Services Committee. Set for hearing April 15, at
1:30 PM.
CDCAN COMMENT: Would establish a state clearinghouse for the education of students with autism spectrum disorder.
CDCAN COMMENT: Would establish a state clearinghouse for the education of students with autism spectrum disorder.
Other Important Bills Not Part of Official Autism Package
Not part of the official package of autism related bills are several
other bills that are moving through the legislative process that have
potential significant impact on children or adults with autism,
including:
* AB 131 by Assemblymember Jim Beall (Democrat - San Jose, 24th
District) that deals with preschool programs for children with
exceptional needs, is currently waiting for hearing in Senate
Education Committee.
* AB 1768 by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (Democrat - Santa Rosa)
dealing with Special Education Due Process Hearings (referred to as
"stay put") that passed out of Assembly Education Committee
today (April 2) and will be set for hearing on April 15 before the
Assembly Human Services Committee at 1:30 PM.
* AB 1825 by Assemblymember Jim Beall (Democrat - San Jose, 24th
District) that would establish procedures for the resolution of
disputes between a regional center and any other publicly funded
agency (such as schools or counties) over provisions of, or payment
for services that are contained in an individual family service plan
or individual program plan for any child under 6 years of age.
The bill passed out of Assembly Human Services Committee on April 1,
and is now waiting hearing in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
* AB 2424 by Assemblymember Jim Beall (Democrat - San Jose), titled
with "Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Education and
Employment" that would add and make changes to the existing
Government Code regarding people with developmental disabilities to
ensure coordination among various state agencies involved in the
transition process of 16 to 22 year olds with developmental
disabilities, including autism, who receive special education
services, and on April 2, passed out of Assembly Education Committee
and referred to Assembly Human Services Committee. Set for hearing
April 15, Tuesday at 1:30 PM.
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Advocacy
Without Borders - We Are ONE Community:
Connecting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors, Traumatic Brain & other injuries, People with MS & other health needs, including People of color, different languages, cultures, Families, Workers, Providers, & Organizations to Rights & Unified Action.
This report - and the CDCAN townhall telemeetings, and other events and projects are for all of them and for promoting advocacy without borders toward unified action. We are one community.
To respond to this report reply to: Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com CDCAN website: www.cdcan.us
To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports. sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues. Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):
CDCAN
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
Note: the paypal option on the CDCAN website is temporarily not working and will be fixed soon.
The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are partially funded by a small grant from the USC UCEDD, Grant #90DD0540 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (note: the opinions expressed or content in these reports do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the USC UCEDD.
MANY MANY THANKS to Alta California Regional Center, FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment), Friends of Children with Special Needs, Life Steps, Easter Seals California, Parents Helping Parents, UCP of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Work Training, Foothill Autism Alliance, Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, Manteca CAPS, Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, , Strategies To Empower People (STEP), Harbor Regional Center, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California
Connecting People With Disabilities, Mental Health Needs, Seniors, Traumatic Brain & other injuries, People with MS & other health needs, including People of color, different languages, cultures, Families, Workers, Providers, & Organizations to Rights & Unified Action.
This report - and the CDCAN townhall telemeetings, and other events and projects are for all of them and for promoting advocacy without borders toward unified action. We are one community.
To respond to this report reply to: Marty Omoto at martyomoto@rcip.com CDCAN website: www.cdcan.us
To continue the CDCAN website, the CDCAN News Reports. sent out and read by over 45,000 people and organizations, policy makers and media across California and to continue the CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings which since December 2003 have connected thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, mental health needs, people with MS and other disorders, people with traumatic brain and other injuries to public policy makers, legislators, and issues. Please send your contribution/donation (make payable to "CDCAN" or "California Disability Community Action Network):
CDCAN
1225 8th Street Suite 480
Sacramento, CA 95814
Note: the paypal option on the CDCAN website is temporarily not working and will be fixed soon.
The CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings are partially funded by a small grant from the USC UCEDD, Grant #90DD0540 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. (note: the opinions expressed or content in these reports do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the USC UCEDD.
MANY MANY THANKS to Alta California Regional Center, FEAT (Families for Early Autism Treatment), Friends of Children with Special Needs, Life Steps, Easter Seals California, Parents Helping Parents, UCP of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Work Training, Foothill Autism Alliance, Arc Contra Costa, Pause4Kids, Manteca CAPS, Training Toward Self Reliance, UCP, California NAELA, Californians for Disability Rights, Inc (CDR) including CDR chapters, CHANCE Inc, , Strategies To Empower People (STEP), Harbor Regional Center, Tri-Counties Regional Center, Asian American parents groups, Resources for Independent Living and many other Independent Living Centers, several regional centers, People First chapters, IHSS workers, other self advocacy and family support groups, developmental center families, adoption assistance program families and children, and others across California