Alright, so if you follow national autism news then you probably heard this. I think it is sad that while millions of Autism families depend on this act – few have decided to just hijack it without offering alternatives.
—————————————————————————————————————-
CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
CDC:
Authorization Level…………………………… 22 22 22 22 22 110
Estimated Outlays…………………………….. 10 20 20 20 20 90
HRSA:
&
nbsp; Authorization Level…………………………… 48 48 48 48 48 240
Estimated Outlays…………………………….. 25 45 45 50 50 215
NIH:
Authorization Level…………………………… 190 190 190 190 190 950
Estimated Outlays…………………………….. 50 150 180 185 190 755
Total Changes:
Authorization Level……………………….. 260 260 260 260 260 1,300
Estimated Outlays…………………………. 85 215 245 255 260 1,060
The CDC currently administers several surveillance and
research programs directed at determining the prevalence of
autism and the risk factors for developing autism, as well as
raising awareness of the signs of autism for families, health
care providers, and childcare educators. Congress
appropriated approximately $22 million for those activities in
fiscal year 2014. The bill would authorize the appropriation of
$22 million annually over the 2015-2019 period for such
programs. CBO estimates that implementing those provisions
would cost $90 million over the 2015-2019 period.
HRSA currently operates several programs to train health
care providers in the delivery of care to children with autism
and other developmental disabilities. Congress appropriated
approximately $47 million for those activities in fiscal year
2014. The legislation would authorize the appropriation of $48
million for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 for HRSA to
continue such activities. CBO estimates that implementing those
provisions would cost $215 million over the 2015-2019 period.
H.R. 4631 also would reauthorize programs and activities
carried out by NIH to advance autism research and treatment
including the Autism Centers of Excellence program. The
Congress appropriated $190 million for those activities in
fiscal year 2014. The bill would authorize the appropriation of
$190 million for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 for NIH
to continue such activities. CBO estimates that implementing
those provisions would cost $755 million over the 2015-2019
period.
2 would require the Secretary to appoint an
existing official to oversee the activities related to autism
including the strategic plan and ensure the elimination of
unnecessary duplication in activities.
Section 4 would require that activities related to autism
early education, early detection, and intervention be
culturally competent. The bill also would provide for the
identification of evidence-based practices and the training of
respite caregivers.
Section 5. Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
Section 5 would require the IACC, as part of its
responsibilities, to include school and community-based
interventions in the summary of advances; monitor research,
services, and support activities across Federal departments and
agencies; and include a plan for the conduct of and support for
ASD research and services and supports for individuals with ASD
and their families in the strategic plan.
SEC. 399BB. AUTISM EDUCATION, EARLY DETECTION, AND INTERVENTION.
(a) * * *
(b) In General.–The Secretary shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, establish and evaluate
activities to–
(1) provide culturally competent information and
education on autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities to increase public awareness
of developmental milestones;
(f) Intervention.–The Secretary shall promote research,
through [grants or contracts, to determine the evidence-based
practices for interventions for individuals with] grants or
contracts, which may include grants or contracts to research
centers or networks, to determine the evidence-based practices
for interventions to improve the physical and behavioral health
of individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities, develop guidelines for those
interventions, and disseminate information related to such
research and guidelines.
(6) submit to Congress and the President–
(A) an annual update on the summary of
advances described in paragraph (2); and
(
an annual update to the strategic plan
described in paragraph (5), including any
progress made in achieving the goals outlined
in such strategic plan
(1) In general.–Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2014, the
Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of
Education and in collaboration with the Secretary of
Transportation, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development, and the Attorney
General, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House
of Representatives, a report concerning young adults
with autism spectrum disorder and the challenges
related to the transition from existing school-based
services to those services available during adulthood.
(2) Contents.–The report submitted under paragraph
(1) shall contain–
(A) demographic characteristics of youth
transitioning from school-based to community-
based supports;
(
an overview of policies and programs relevant to young adults with autism spectrum
disorder relating to post-secondary school
transitional services, including an
identification of existing Federal laws,
regulations, policies, research, and programs;
from existing school-based services to those
services available during adulthood,
including–
(i) services that increase access to,
and improve integration and completion
of, post-secondary education, peer
support, vocational training (as
defined in section 103 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
723)), rehabilitation, self-advocacy
skills, and competitive, integrated
employment;
(ii) community-based behavioral
supports and interventions;
(iii) community-based integrated
residential services, housing, and
transportation;
(iv) nutrition, health and wellness,
recreational, and social activities;
(v) personal safety services for
individuals with autism spectrum
disorder related to public safety
agencies or the criminal justice
system
you want to read the whole bill click here.