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**Update 7:52PM PT - News story which gives further history on the S Sub HB 2160 and confirms that it will be going to the Senate Floor (and subject to any amendments and actions which might occur there).
Autism bill goes to Senate
By Barbara Hollingsworth
March 17, 2010 - 7:56pm
Topeka Capital-Journal cjonline.com
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The Autism Votes Facebook page reports that,
Senate Substitute for HB 2160: An act concerning insurance; providing coverage for autism spectrum disorder; amending K.S.A. 2009 Supp. 75-6501 and repealing the existing section. will be coming to the Kansas Senate Floor on Thursday, March 18, 2010.
Please see their memo posted on Facebook. They state that they will be posting an action alert later today.
The Senate calendar at the Kansas Legislature shows on page 6 for March 18, 2010
that S Sub HB 2160 is listed as "Under general orders". The Senate convenes at 2:30PM CT.
Information on S Sub HB 2160 is posted in a prior blogpost.
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
Wrightslaw, the special education web resource, made an announcement on their Facebook page on March 1, 2010 that
H.R. 4247:Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act is anticipated to come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives floor THIS WEEK.
The alert links to an info sheet prepared by Jessie Butler, Esq. of the the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA), advising stakeholders on the interpretation of H.R. 4247, and how to contact members of the U.S. Congress by phone or email.
In a similar action alert citing a behavior-analytic practice point of view, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) urged their members to also contact Congress and referred to,
APBA Position Statement on Restraint and Seclusion Support for APBA Position Statement on Restraint and Seclusion At the current time ABA International has convened a task force on restraint and seclusion which is developing a position statement; this statement would be, as with other ABA International position statements, subject to review and approval by vote of the ABA International Full members.
Progress of H.R. 4247 is dependent on what action is taken in the House, but it has been anticipated that if it passes in that chamber, that a conference committee would work to consolidate proposals within H.R. 4247 and those within S. 2860: Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act, which was introduced in the U.S. Senate and is currently in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
For further information:
H.R.4247: To prevent and reduce the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 12/9/2009) Cosponsors (40)
S.2860 : A bill to protect students from inappropriate seclusion and physical restraint, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 12/9/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Past blog post (with run-down on events to introduction and committee passage of H.R. 4247)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Federal Legislation: U.S. House Committee on Education & Labor passes bill to regulate use of restraint and seclusion in U.S. schools
Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 2 | On-line ISSN: 2151-4704
ABAI Practice Board
(About 3/4 of the way down the page.)
"Position Statements
The ABAI Council assembles task forces to study critical issues within the field and to develop white papers for submittal to the Association' s Full Members for input and votes. Most recently, a task force on seclusion and restraint has been formed, with joint participation of the Science and Practice Boards. The task force will develop and recommend a position statement on the appropriate use of seclusion and restraint for consideration by ABAI Full Members. Participants in the task force include Jon Bailey, Michael F. Dorsey, Louis P. Hagopian, Gregory P. Hanley, David B. Lennox, Mary M. Riordan, Scott Spreat, and Timothy R. Vollmer. "
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
On February 25, 2010, the South Carolina Legislature House Ways and Means Committee adopted a budget that would not only reduce the base budget by $42.3 million, but these reductions would lose the state matching Medicaid and other Federal funds which supply additional revenue for disability services at a ratio of 2:1 in Federal to state funds - resulting in an additional $110 million dollar shortfall.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs estimates that should the cuts not be restored, by necessity it must meet the needs of 4800 individuals in residential care; to accomplish that in the face of the proposed budget cuts would require elimination of service to 25,700 consumers being served under categories such as,
- autism,
- brain injury,
- mental retardation, and
- spinal cord injury,
and services including, but not limited to:
- early intervention,
- day programs,
- workshops,
- respite,
- family support,
- acute rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury,
- attendant care,
- the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) program,
- specialized therapies, and
- service coordination.
An estimated 3100 jobs would also be lost with the budget cut.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs sent a lettter dated February 26, 2010, to Daniel T. Cooper, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, informing him of the impact of the proposed cuts and requesting that funding be restored.
Carolina Autism, and many other groups, such as the South Carolina Autism Society, have issued alerts for stakeholders to contact their state legislators as well as a reminder of an especial need for face-to face advocacy at the already scheduled Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Disability Advocacy Day at the South Carolina Statehouse.
References and for more information
South Carolina Legislature
Information on Disability Advocacy Day,
including what needs to happen before showing up to the capitol, and directions and parking.
March 3, 2010, 9:00AM-2:00PM
South Carolina Autism Society
South Carolina Autism Society (more info on DDSN cuts)
South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
Disability Advocacy Day at State House on Wednesday
Indexjournal.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010 11:16 PM EST
Funding cuts may hammer Tri-Dev
Aikenstandard.com
3/1/2010 8:12 PM
Related blog post
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
State advocacy news - Autism New Jersey (formerly COSAC) needs your help to restore their funding and services
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
A shout to friends and supporters of Autism New Jersey (formerly COSAC), about a difficult situation facing this group that has served as a vital resource to those in New Jersey with developmental disorders and their families, and how you can help. Please share this news item and action alert. Thanks.
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Important Message about NJ State Budget Cuts
Dear Friends & Supporters:
On February 11, 2010, [New Jersey] Governor Chris Christie announced that he had signed an Executive Order cutting spending in 375 line items, via cuts, freezes, or elimination of existing programs across all aspects of State Government. The emergency spending reductions amount to over $2 billion during the remaining months of the current State Fiscal Year.
Unfortunately, one of the budget cuts was $155,000 in funding slated to be provided to Autism New Jersey under an existing, longstanding contract with the State's Division of Developmental Disabilities ("DDD").
As I recently wrote to Governor Christie,
"This contract has allowed the State to compassionately support and expertly guide parents at the frightening moment of initial diagnosis. It has helped families improve their children's behavior and access life-changing services. And when parents are no longer able, it has helped brothers and sisters navigate the complex human services system on behalf of a sibling with autism. Overall, it has directly benefited thousands of children and adults who struggle with the devastating impairments of autism every moment of their lives." Let there be no doubt. There will be a direct and substantial impact on families in need of support as a result of this cut. 1 in 94 individuals in New Jersey are diagnosed with autism.
The services we offer are available to as many as 80,000 children and adults with autism spectrum disorders in New Jersey.
We have planned more than twenty workshops for parents and professionals with close to 1,000 people expected to attend. And the funds allow us to offer a timely response to 4,500 individuals who reach us via telephone, and 2,000 individuals who receive printed support and guidance materials. Those are all in jeopardy today.
What you can do: While we are already doing -- and will continue to do --- everything in our power to continue to provide services, I am writing to ask for your personal involvement in making the case that this cut should be reversed.
We at Autism New Jersey recognize the enormous fiscal challenges facing Governor Christie, and our State as a whole. And we appreciate his commitment to setting our State on a strong course for the future. But we also believe that, in such trying times, it is all the more essential that limited resources be invested in unique, successful programs such as ours -- that make a tangible difference in people's day to day lives. That is what this grant allows us to do. Thank you for your continued support of Autism New Jersey and our mission.
Sincerely,
Linda S. Meyer, Ed.D., MPA, BCBA-D, CPT Executive Director
www.autismnj.org
Visit us on Facebook
Become an Autism New Jersey Member
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© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
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