Alright – so, it is the end of the state legislative session and as usual, most autism families and almost all Somali EIDBI agencies are sleeping. Ugh, so sad and depressing. At any rate, I sent my written testimony and will try to orally testify on 4.9.25. I urge autism families and EIDBI agencies to do the same. Speak from your heart and perspective. Noor is the co-chair in this committee, it is important to note – his district has the highest autism rate in the state and arguably in the nation.
Minnesota House
Human Services Finance & Policy
Chairs: Noor and Schomacker
4.9.2025
Re: HF 2434 Opposing the Gov’s Autism Language for EIDBI
Co-Chairs Noor and Schomacker, my name is Idil Abdull, I am a Somali Autism Mom and retired advocate. I also advocated for EIDBI back when it passed as a 1915i waiver on 5.16.13 on a rainy Thursday night. I feverishly oppose the language of this bill for many reasons.
1. There were not robust and engaging conversations with autism families nor EIDBI agencies when DHS produced these self-serving rules.
2. DHS refuses to provide EIDBI training that is person-centered to autism families and agencies.
3. We have been asking Chair Noor since 2023 to add EIDBI training which he has not done thus far.
4. DHS wants to act the prosecutor, the judge, and the jury in autism services under EIDBI without any rights for us to appeal administratively to an objective person and/or agency. How is that exactly right?
5. I would propose adding EIDBI training for both the families and agencies to ensure they understand the policy and statute.
6. I would decrease EIDBI staff from 3 to 1, that is waste of time since they mostly do not do anything meaningful – ever.
7. I would add the ability to appeal to an administrative judge if/when DHS closes an agency wrongly and unjustly.
8. I would add the new OIG office to audit and oversee DHS’ programs, especially EIDBI, to ensure fairness and objectivity.
9. I would put a moratorium on EIDBI until current ones know what they are doing and do it correctly in a manner that helps the children and families.
10. I would ask DHS to send you and the public the answers to the many questions you asked the last time they were on this committee explaining EIDBI. There were a lot of questions they were not able to answer. DHS should come prepared.
Sincerely,
Idil Abdull – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate
The above words do not represent any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil Abdull