Legislative and Budgetary Priorities:

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM), the Commonwealth's autism community's grassroots advocacy organization announces new budget and legislative priorities for the coming legislative session. In 2007, AFAM will continue its collaborative work with the Statewide Autism Coalition and our other Founding Organizations to vigorously advocate for the adoption of these priorities by our State government.

We are buoyed by the successes we have seen in our first year, including the establishment of the new Division of Autism within the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation, the passage of the Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver legislation and increased funding for family support and the DOE/DMR program. We thank all who advocate on behalf of our families and friends who have been affected by an autism spectrum disorder, from legislators,dedicated professionals and administrators, and the passionate parents and self-advocates who are raising and addressing the concerns of our families. This year our budget and legislative priorities are as follows:

AFAM BUDGETARY PRIORITIES

• $5,000,000 of Increased Funding for Family Support, DMR Line Item 5920-3000:
  The dramatic growth in the number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is resulting in a greater demand for Family Support allocations. Providing flexible family supports to 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 this increased funding, 1,700 additional individuals with disabilities and their families could
  be served
  
  
• Increased Funding for the Division of Autism (Including Children's Medicaid Waiver), DMR Line Item 5920-3010
  The two-year old 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. Once approved by the federal government, the waiver program will provide qualifying young children with ASD with intensive in-home services that support children in their homes and communities (services include ABA, floor time, etc…). The Commonwealth will be reimbursed 50% of the total costs of these services and will be able to provide more children with essential in-home services
  
  
• Increased Funding for Turning 22, DMR Line Item 5920-5000
  There is a dramatic increase in young people with severe disabilities "Turning 22" and
  moving from the locally funded school systems into the state funded DMR each year (historically 450; estimated at 580-600 for 2008). It is speculated that increased rates of autism are contributing to this increased need. AFAM requests an increase in funding
  for the Turning 22 account from $8,500,000 for FY 2007 to 10,500,000 for FY 2008
  
  
• 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 autism spectrum disorder. Currently there is almost a two year waiting list for this cost-effective program. Additional funding would reduce the number of children on the waiting list
  

AFAM LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

• 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 (including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (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.
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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
  
  
• An Act Establishing a Pilot Employment Program for Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism (House Docket No. 4060; bill No. not yet assigned)
  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