Advocate for the Autism Community

Community Resources for People with Autism believes in educating and empowering families to advocate for themselves as well as the autism community as a whole.  It is our hope that families increase their understanding of their rights under the laws, develop advocacy skills, and keep informed of the most current government issues that will impact them directly.

Community Resources for People with Autism is one of the founding organizations of the grassroots program, AFAM.  This advocacy group addresses the need for full-time representation of our families in western Massachusetts on Beacon Hill.

www.afamaction.org

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) was formed to address the need for full-time representation to give families a voice on Beacon Hill.

AFAM's Mission
Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts will strive to assure the human and civil rights of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and the availability of essential supports so that they may live life fully and enjoy the same opportunities as others throughout the Commonwealth. AFAM will educate and advocate vigorously within the Massachusetts community and its governmental entities to enhance the lives of people with ASD and their families.

How You Can Help
As concerned individuals, we ask you to join us. By giving a voice to your concerns, your membership fee will help provide an ongoing presence on Beacon Hill.  Additionally, as an AFAM member, you will receive periodic legislative alerts to keep you informed of critical issues impacting our families and how you can take action with your legislators.  Become involved!  To learn more about Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, please visit  www.afamaction.org or call (781) 891-6270; to download a membership form, click here.

AFAM
217 South Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-891-6270, ext. 102

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AFAM BUDGETARY PRIORITIES

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• Increased Funding for the Division of Autism (Including Children's Medicaid Waiver) DMR Line Item 5920-3010
The 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. The Waiver program will provide eighty low income young children with ASD with intensive in-home services that support children in their homes and communities (services include ABA, Floor Time and respite).  The Commonwealth will be reimbursed 50% of the total costs of these services by the federal government.  During the eleven day enrollment period in November, more than 1,100 Massachusetts children with ASD applied for the Waiver.    Additional funding will allow for more children to enroll in this waiver program and receive the intensives services they need. It will also allow for the expansion of other services to families of children with ASD through the Division of Autism.
 
• $5,000,000 of Increased Funding for Family Support, DMR Line Item 5920-3000
The dramatic growth in the number of children with ASD is resulting in a greater demand for Family Support allocations. Providing flexible family supports to a 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 an increase in funding, 1,700 additional individuals with disabilities and their families could be assisted.

• Increased Funding for Turning 22, DMR Line Item 5920-5000
There has been a dramatic increase in young people with severe disabilities "Turning 22" and moving from the locally funded school programs into the state funded DMR system each year.   It is speculated that the rising rates of autism are contributing to this increased need.

• 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 ASD. Currently, there is a two year waiting list for this cost-effective program. Additional funding would reduce the number of children on the waiting list and help children with ASD.

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AFAM LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

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• 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 who are nonverbal or have limited speech (including children with 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 Establishing a Pilot Employment Program for Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism (House 3838)
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.

• 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.