Thanks Arnold!!!

SOME EFFORTS IN CALIFORNIA* LEGISLATIVE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION ON AUTISM - In California, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (Democrat - Oakland) authored SCR 51, which passed in 2005, that created a Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism to study issues including the early identification and intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorders and to also identify gaps in programs, services and funding related to the early identification, education and treatment and provide recommendations to close the identified gaps. The commission is required under SCR 51 to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than September 30, 2007. SCR 51 passed both houses of the Legislature overwhelmingly. In the State Senate it passed 39-0 with one senator absent or abstaining. In the Assembly it passed 75-1, with only Republican Assemblymember (now retired) Ray Haynes voting no. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS INITIATIVE - was expanded significantly as part of the 2006-2007 Budget by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger providing funding for training to clinicians and other professionals on already published best practices guidelines, developing and publishing "ASD Guidelines for Effective Interventions", establishing state and regional ASD Resource Centers, adding one ASD Clinical Specialist and one ASD Program Coordinator at each of the 21 regional centers and adding one clinical position at the Department of Developmental Services headquarters office to coordinate and facilitate the expansion of the Initiative. OTHER EFFORTS: * Various advocacy groups focusing on autism have been long active in promoting changes in interventions, supports and services, including Autism Education Network, Autism Society of California (and America), Families for Early Autism Treatment and many other groups (including family resource centers, empowerment centers, etc.. CDCAN will post website links to all these groups in the next few days. * Legislation by former Sen. Wes Chesbro (SB 1270) is seeking to find new ways for providing certain types of non-residential supports and services for people with developmental disabilities, with a report due to the Legislature and Governor by May this year. The work is being coordinated by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, with a meeting scheduled on February 22. Go their website for more information at http://www.scdd.ca.gov/SB1270.htm* The Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) recently held a conference in San Diego called a "New Day" looking at different ideas for programs and support services. * Other groups and organizations have come together to propose different or new ideas. * CDCAN (California Disability Community Action Network) has organized in the past and future series of townhall telemeetings focusing on accountability of the rights of people with disabilities covering a range of services and supports.