RE: Hb 1696 Interagency Council on Autism and PDDs

[Guest guest]

On Moday, March 12th, 3 parents testified to the House Human Service

Committee supporting HB 1696 which calls for changes to the Interagency

Counicl on AUtism and PDD's that will hopefully allow the council to become

a useful tool in studying the needs of the autism community in Texas and

then making recommendations to state agencies and the legislature so

services can be improved and long term outcomes improved.

Testimony covered these issues:

-increased incidence

-no agency in the state of Texas is gathering numbers on the incidence

-none of the agencies that serve this population integrate their services

w/ one another or hold one another accountable. For Instance, if ECI does a

crummy job, the local ISD's or TEA is not gettng after ECi for appropriate

early intervention.

- the incredible run around families get trying to find services

- lack of information given out by the medical community if and when a

diagnosis is received

- how parents must become medical, educational and legal experts to get

appropriate services for their child.

My impression was that the committee was very supportive and this bill will

move on to the floor of the house. PLease be sure to contact Rep

hardcastle's office and thank him for sponsoring this bill (512)463-0526.

Also - a thanks to Time COle - IACAP chair, parent and District Attorney who

takes the time to be engaged on the council, push for changes, travel to

autism, and to try to make things better for ALL of our children.

Tomorrow, March 15th, it is my understanding the Senate version of this bill

will be heard. I encourage everyone to call or fax the memebrs of the senate

Health and HUman Services committee to support SB361:

NAME PHONE (512)

Mike Moncreif (Chair) 463-0112

Carona (vice chair)463-0116

mario Gallegos, Jr 463-0106

463-0110

madla 463-0119

Jane 463-0109

Eliot Shalpeigh 463-0129

Sibley 463-0122

Sorry _ I did not have fax numbers.

Re: Digest Number 310

Ronnie:

How did it go?

Peacefully,

Jeff Sell

(office)

281.686.SELL (v-mail)

JSell@...

jzsell@...

Autism Awareness Day Proclamation

> >

> > Hi Gang:

> > Rep. Harold Dutton, a long-time friend of mine, has a proclamation

in

> his hands that will make April 27th, 2001 " Autism Awareness Day " in Texas.

> He assured me that he'll " get it done with in the House and Senate " . Gov.

> will have no choice but to sign it. So, here's the plan. Call,

> e-mail or write to Rep. Dutton and Gov. and let them know how

> important it is that we have this day of recognition.

> > Rep. Harold Dutton (Calls work best!)

> > Peacefully,

> > Jeff Sell

> > (office)

> > 281.686.SELL (v-mail)

> > JSell@...

> > jzsell@...

> > jzsell@...

> > Jeff@...

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

This council may really turn out to be a meaningful

force. I am so glad that Tim Cole and others have

taken the initiative to get this ball rolling.

--- schleiss wrote:

> On Moday, March 12th, 3 parents testified to the

> House Human Service

> Committee supporting HB 1696 which calls for changes

> to the Interagency

> Counicl on AUtism and PDD's that will hopefully

> allow the council to become

> a useful tool in studying the needs of the autism

> community in Texas and

> then making recommendations to state agencies and

> the legislature so

> services can be improved and long term outcomes

> improved.

>

> Testimony covered these issues:

> -increased incidence

> -no agency in the state of Texas is gathering

> numbers on the incidence

> -none of the agencies that serve this population

> integrate their services

> w/ one another or hold one another accountable. For

> Instance, if ECI does a

> crummy job, the local ISD's or TEA is not gettng

> after ECi for appropriate

> early intervention.

> - the incredible run around families get trying to

> find services

> - lack of information given out by the medical

> community if and when a

> diagnosis is received

> - how parents must become medical, educational and

> legal experts to get

> appropriate services for their child.

>

> My impression was that the committee was very

> supportive and this bill will

> move on to the floor of the house. PLease be sure to

> contact Rep

> hardcastle's office and thank him for sponsoring

> this bill (512)463-0526.

> Also - a thanks to Time COle - IACAP chair, parent

> and District Attorney who

> takes the time to be engaged on the council, push

> for changes, travel to

> autism, and to try to make things better for ALL of

> our children.

>

> Tomorrow, March 15th, it is my understanding the

> Senate version of this bill

> will be heard. I encourage everyone to call or fax

> the memebrs of the senate

> Health and HUman Services committee to support

> SB361:

>

> NAME PHONE (512)

> Mike Moncreif (Chair) 463-0112

> Carona (vice chair)463-0116

> mario Gallegos, Jr 463-0106

> 463-0110

> madla 463-0119

> Jane 463-0109

> Eliot Shalpeigh 463-0129

> Sibley 463-0122

>

> Sorry _ I did not have fax numbers.

>

>

>

> Re: Digest Number

> 310

>

>

> Ronnie:

> How did it go?

> Peacefully,

> Jeff Sell

> (office)

> 281.686.SELL (v-mail)

> JSell@...

> jzsell@...

>

>

> Re: Digest Number

> 310

> >

> >

> > > Thanks Jeff for making us aware of this great

> piece of news. I called

> > Rep. Dutton's office and they were faxing the info

> over to the different

> > offices this morning. I then sent the following

> e-mail to Gov. at:

> > >

> > >

>

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/acgperry2001/e-mail.html

> > >

> > > Good Morning Gov. ,

> > >

> > > As the mother of a 14 year old autistic son, I'm

> thrilled to find out

> that

> > a proclamation is being presented by Rep. Dutton

> proclaiming April 27,

> 2001

> > as " Autism Awareness Day " . Rep. Dutton is

> presenting

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