Dear _____________________:

I would like to ask for your support for the Priorities endorsed by Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts ("AFAM"). AFAM's programs and legislative initiatives are critical to individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families.

With 1 in 122 children now being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), chances are you may know someone affected by this disorder or will know someone in the near future. More kids will be diagnosed with ASD this year than AIDS, Cancer and Diabetes combined. This is why I am asking you to support the Priorities endorsed by Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM). AFAM's program priorities and legislative initiatives are critical to individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families.

• Increased Funding for the Division of Autism (Including Children's Medicaid Waiver) DMR Line Item 5920-3010
  The Division of Autism needs additional funding to expand services to the dramatically increasing number of children with ASD. The Division is also implementing the Children's Medicaid Waiver Program. The Waiver program will provide eighty low income young children with ASD with intensive in-home services that support children in their homes and communities (services include ABA, Floor Time and respite).  The Commonwealth will be reimbursed 50% of the total costs of these services by the federal government.  During the eleven day enrollment period in November, more than 1,100 Massachusetts children with ASD applied for the Waiver.    Additional funding will allow for more children to enroll in this waiver program and receive the intensives services they need. It will also allow for the expansion of other services to families of children with ASD through the Division of Autism. 
  
  
• STATUS:  Governor Patrick has allocated $3,287,118 for the Division of Autism in his budget for FY2009.  AFAM requests an increase in funding for the Division of Autism.
  
  
• $5,000,000 of Increased Funding for Family Support, DMR Line Item 5920-3000
  The dramatic growth in the number of children with ASD is resulting in a greater demand for Family Support allocations. Providing flexible family supports to a family with a child with ASD is one the most cost effective programs in the Commonwealth. Other than a $500,000 increase in FY'06, this program has been level funded for nine years. It serves 14,000 individuals with disabilities and their families. With an increase in funding, 1,700 additional individuals with disabilities and their families could be assisted.
• STATUS:  Governor Patrick’s proposed budget for Family Support for FY 2009 is level funded at $55,044.228, well below the funding necessary to serve families of children with ASD.  There is currently a long wait-list for families seeking this funding.  AFAM seeks an increase in funding for the Family Support Program from $55,044,228 for FY 2008 to $60,044,228 for FY 2009.
• Increased Funding for Turning 22, DMR Line Item 5920-5000
  There has been a dramatic increase in young people with severe disabilities "Turning 22" and moving from the locally funded school programs into the state funded DMR system each year.   It is speculated that the rising rates of autism are contributing to this increased need.
• STATUS: Despite an increase in the number of individuals turning 22, Governor Patrick has allocated $6.1 million for the Turning 22 program in his budget for FY2009, a decrease of $1.6 million from last year.  AFAM requests an increase in funding for the Turning 22 account from $7.7 million for FY 2008 to 10.5 million, for FY 2009.
• Increased Funding for DOE/DMR Collaboration, DMR Line Item 5948-0012
  Funding assists families in need of intensive supports to allow their children with disabilities to live at home, and avoid costly residential placements. Many of the children who receive these services have ASD. Currently, there is a two year waiting list for this cost-effective program. Additional funding would reduce the number of children on the waiting list and help children with ASD remain home with their families. 
• STATUS: Despite the growing wait list of parents seeking funding, Governor Patrick has level funded the program and allocated $8 million for the DOE/DMR Collaboration in his budget for FY2009.  AFAM requests an increase in funding of $1million for the DOE/DMR Collaboration from $8 million for FY2008 to $9 million for FY2009.
  
  
• An Act to Improve Teacher Training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (S. 278)
  This bill will help to ensure that teachers receive training in augmentative and alternative communication methods necessary to educate children with disabilities who are nonverbal or who have limited speech. Thousands of children who are nonverbal or have limited speech (including children with ASD)) rely on augmentative and alternative communication methods to interact with others, and many students are now being included in regular education. The bill directs the Board of Education to revise regulations for educator licensure so that all teachers are adequately prepared in methods of communication other than speech to facilitate interaction and inclusion and to ensure access to the general education curriculum.
  
  
• STATUS:  A public hearing was held by the Joint Committee on Education on October 16, 2007.  The bill was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Education and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 21, 2008.  Please urge Chairman Panagiotakos of the Senate Ways and Means Committee to release this bill so that it may be brought up for consideration before the full Senate
  
  
• An Act Relative to Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver/Intensive In-Home Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (H. 493, S. 281)
  This bill addresses the need to increase the number of qualified providers of intensive in-home intervention services for children with ASD, especially in light of the services to be provided by the new autism waiver legislation
• STATUS:  The bills were referred to the Joint Education Committee.  They were discharged by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on April 12, 2007.  A public hearing was held on May 9, 2007.  The House bill was reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and referred to the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.  On August, 20, 2007, the House bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.  Please urge Chairman DeLeo of the House Ways and Means Committee to release this bill so that it may be brought up for consideration before the full House.
• An Act Establishing a Pilot Employment Program for Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism (House 3838)
  This bill would require the commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to establish a two year pilot program for 25 adults with Asperger's syndrome or other ASD without mental retardation to provide services that will lead to paid, customized, sustainable employment, including post-employment and re-employment support, as needed. The program will supplement existing commission funding for individuals with Asperger's syndrome. Supports may also include but are not limited to: career assessment and counseling; job development; job placement; job coaching; employment training; on-the-job support; case management and funding to purchase adjunct supports and services.
  
  
• STATUS:  A public hearing was held on June 27, 2007 before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.  It was referred to the House Committee on Joint Rules on November 7, 2007.  On January 8, 2008, it was recommended that it ought to pass and referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.  Please urge Committee Chairs Senator Moore and Representative Walrath of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing to report this bill out favorably. 
  
  
• An Act to Provide Access to Information for Parent Evaluations (H.391)
  This bill would amend the state's special education law to ensure that parents or independent evaluators are provided access to observe the student's current or proposed special education programs. Although state regulations currently provide parents the right to observe the school district's proposed program, school districts often place unreasonable obstacles in the way of parents' observations. This bill will help parents obtain the information they need to fully and effectively participate in the development of appropriate IEPs for their child. The bill will help to avoid litigation, encourage settlement, and requires no appropriation.
• STATUS:  A public hearing was held by the Joint Education Committee on October 16, 2007.It now sits in the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading.  Please urge Chairman Golden of the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading to move the bill out of the committee. 
  

Thank you very much for your help with these priorities.

Sincerely,