This article was originally published in the June 2008 print version of the Motivations bulletin.
On March 14, 2008, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) met in Washington DC. The IACC is an advisory committee to the Federal government, authorized by the 2006 Combating Autism Act, to provide strategic planning to guide Federal autism spending. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) chairs the IACC, which includes all Federal agencies with autism programs, private foundations, advocacy groups and families. I was one of approximately 100 public observers.
On March 14, 2008, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) met in Washington DC. The IACC is an advisory committee to the Federal government, authorized by the 2006 Combating Autism Act, to provide strategic planning to guide Federal autism spending. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) chairs the IACC, which includes all Federal agencies with autism programs, private foundations, advocacy groups and families. I was one of approximately 100 public observers.
Lee Grossman, president of the national Autism Society of America (ASA), is on the committee and made the first presentation. He called for attention to service needs of families today, in addition to research for the future. He proposed the re-creation of a services sub-committee of the IACC. A similar group in 2003 had produced a Services Roadmap (available at: www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/iacc/index.shtml). Grossman said improving services today is “the primary consideration”-- we know enough about how to provide services, but we need to do better implementing what we know so quality services are accessible.
To prepare for this meeting, the IACC had requested public comments on autism priorities. Over half of the 542 responses had encouraged a focus on treatment and services. POAC of
Central Maryland submitted comments – see the Advocacy Resources page on http://www.poacofcentralmd.org/ for the full text of our response. Influenced by the public response, the IACC approved the services sub-committee, charging it to create an implementation plan for the existing Roadmap by the next meeting. While I am a member of national ASA, in the past I have been skeptical about their role, since they do not fund research or provide direct services. Listening to Mr. Grossman’s advocacy at this meeting impressed me.
Continue reading Pt. 2 below
Continue reading Pt. 2 below
No comments:
Post a Comment