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Autism Work Group 2007 Activities

Autism Work Group 2007 Activities. Presentation to Virginia Disability Commission August 13, 2007. Kim Snead Executive Director. Joint Commission on Health Care. Current JCHC Members. Delegate Phillip A. Hamilton, Chairman Senator Stephen H. Martin, Vice-Chairman

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Autism Work Group 2007 Activities

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  1. Autism Work Group2007 Activities Presentation to Virginia Disability Commission August 13, 2007 Kim Snead Executive Director Joint Commission on Health Care

  2. Current JCHC Members Delegate Phillip A. Hamilton, Chairman Senator Stephen H. Martin, Vice-Chairman Delegate Clifford L. Athey, Jr. Senator J. Brandon Bell, II Delegate Robert H. Brink Senator Harry B. Blevins Delegate Benjamin L. Cline Senator R. Edward Houck Delegate Franklin P. Hall Senator Benjamin J. Lambert, III Delegate Kenneth R. Melvin Senator Linda T. Puller Delegate Harvey B. Morgan Senator Nick Rerras Delegate David A. Nutter Senator William C. Wampler, Jr. Delegate John M. O’Bannon, III Delegate John J. Welch, III The Honorable Marilyn B. Tavenner Secretary of Health and Human Resources

  3. Background • JCHC’s Behavioral Health Care Subcommittee has studied issues related to autism for the past 2 years • Last November, the BHC Subcommittee voted to continue its review related to autism in its 2007 work plan including convening a work group to recommend a primary agency for developing, coordinating, and overseeing autism services. • Last January, Delegate McQuigg sent a letter on behalf of the Virginia Disability Commission endorsing the BHC Subcommittee work plan. • House Resolution 60 (Delegate Shannon) commended JCHC on “its study of autism and its efforts to recommend a state agency to be designated as the lead agency on autism services for the Commonwealth.”

  4. Work Group Activities & Process • Work group was convened • Email listing of nearly 80 interested parties invited to attend and participate in meetings • Endeavored to be inclusive in identifying and inviting family members, interested association contacts, and State agency representatives. • Meetings were held on June 26th and July 13th • More than 30 individuals attended each meeting. • Final meeting will be held August 20th. • Report (including legislative Options) will be presented to the BHC Subcommittee during its September 19th meeting (1:00 p.m. in Senate Room A). • BHC Subcommittee and JCHC members will vote on legislative Options during meetings on November 8th (beginning at 10:15 in Senate Room A).

  5. Concerns of Work Group Participants • Issues discussed as being important to consider in deciding on an agency: • Ability to establish a single point of entry and develop an inclusive service system that is not diagnostically focused. • Consideration of differences in home and community based waivers for persons with mental retardation vs. persons with developmental disabilities. • Provision or coordination of multiple types of services across the life span such as early intervention, education, health care and therapeutic interventions, and transition from secondary school to post-secondary education and/or employment.

  6. Concerns of Work Group Participants • Issues discussed as being important to consider in deciding on an agency: • Funding for needed services. • Adequate staff training for the agency that will assume the new responsibilities. • Maintenance and expansion of public/private partnerships. • Effective utilization of resources and best practices in service delivery for persons with developmental disabilities.

  7. Recommendation Made by Work Group During July 13th Meeting • The work group participants voted unanimously to recommend for JCHC consideration a request that the Secretary of Health and Human Resources complete a feasibility assessment of expanding, “reformulating” and renaming the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to serve current clients and individuals with developmental disabilities • Form of request would be a budget amendment and/or joint resolution with language specifying stakeholders to be included in completing the assessment.

  8. Contacts Following July Meeting • In August, a representative of Parents of Autistic Children – Northern Virginia (POAC – NOVA) contacted me to indicate that his Board voted to support establishing a separate agency for autism. • The president of POAC – NOVA will attend the August 20th work group meeting, the agenda of which will include: • Further discussion of work group recommendations for Options to be presented to BHC Subcommittee and JCHC • Option recommended in July for the Secretary to review the feasibility of reformulating DMHMRSAS. • Alternative Options including asking the Secretary to consider the concerns of those who prefer a separate agency for autism in determining if there is a more appropriate means of serving individuals with autism and/or with developmental disabilities.

  9. Internet Address Joint Commission on Health Care website http://jchc.state.va.us Contact Information ksnead@leg.state.va.us 900 East Main Street, 1st Floor West P O Box 1322 Richmond, VA 23218 804-786-5445 Fax 804-786-5538

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