Editorial - PA (Autism Speaks....Watchdog)

[Guest guest]

(Many of you don't like to hear some of " watchdog " stories that I

write in my editorials. I'm sorry, but I can't just blow sunshine and

roses while watching wasteful spending and political back scratching.

I think people have the right to know exactly what is going on with

their tax and donation dollars. If this offends some of you, I

apologize. I personally believe that people have a right to know.

Utopia isn't all its cracked up to be, and...there's always that

" delete " button.

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare announced

that it granted $250,000 to the University of Pittsburgh and Dr.!

Minshew in Pittsburgh for the establishment of an Autism Speaks

Treatment Network Site.

The Department of Public Welfare, so " distraught " and " overburdened "

by children with autism that they are screaming for funds is giving

1/4 of a million dollars to establish an Autism Treatment Network

site?? Something that already exists within several organizations

already?? ( Institute, Community Psychiatric Centers, Pressley

Ridge, Wesley Spectrum Services).

So, I'm confused. But not really. Let me tell you what's really

going on.

Many parents have been yelling that Autism Speaks doesn't do anything

locally and they've lost quite a bit of donation money because of just

that. This is hurting their bottom line.

Autism Speaks scratched the back of the DPW and certain members of the

legislature by helpin! g them with HB1150 by providing highly-paid

lobbyists and running radi o commercial spots to help in the passage

of HB1150. (A good thing.)

DPW is now scratching the back of Autism Speaks by providing them with

$250K to start this treatment network so they can say " Look! We're

doing something locally! " You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

My question is -- with all of the parents clamoring about horrible

services, unqualified TSS, high turnover and the like -- why isn't the

DPW putting money into raising the wages and reimbursement rates for

providers so that they can attract QUALITY EMPLOYEES? The rates of

reimbursement for TSS and BSC haven't changed in well over 10 years.

No wonder there is high turnover and lousy quality. TSS is hard work!

Particularly after UPMC and Dr. Minshew were just awarded $9.1

million from the National Institutes of Health.

Am I the only person sitting here scratching my head at this logic??

Because really, tell me ! if I am. I just don't get it.

Waeltermann

Director, AutismLink