Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating CouncilLaura L. Garrett MSN, FNP-C

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

Identification and Description of the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council: History and Strategic Plan

Description of Experiences and Interaction with Mentor

Processes Used by the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council to Promulgate its Purpose

Discussion of Opportunities for the General Public to Interact and Influence Autism Public Health Policy

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Purpose of the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council: Purpose, Duties, and Authority

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Summary Layout

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

• This PowerPoint is in partial fulfillment of a project for NUR 740 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

• As the name implies, the AIACC coordinates the many agencies in Alabama which work to advocate for and implement progress and policies for those with ASD and their families.

Identification and Description

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

History of AIACC• In 2007 Representative Cam Ward and Lieutenant Governor Jim

Folsom formed the Alabama Autism Task Force (AATF) to evaluate the state response to the increasing incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

• The AATF was comprised of 27 appointed members, including:• advocates,• state officials,• educators,• physicians, and• members of the academic community (AIACC, 2014)

Having an Impact on State Health Policy

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

• Representative Ward and Lt. Governor Folsom served as chairmen for the AATF. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a personal issue to both of the men. Rep. Ward is a parent to a child with ASD.

• A state needs assessment was conducted between September 2007 and May 2008 with grant money provided by the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities.

History Continued

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

• The AATF was organized into eight subcommittees in order to thoroughly review data received from the Alabama Autism Needs Assessment. The subcommittees included:• Diagnosis and early screening, • Intervention services (ages 0-5), • Intervention services (ages 5-21),• Intervention services (adult),• Health care, • Ad Hoc (Regional Center Development)• Systems of Care (SOC), and• Financial impact (AIACC, 2014).

History Continued

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

• The AATF was dissolved in 2009 and the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (AIACC) was formed to carry out the work of the AATF and find solutions to the issues discovered during the needs assessment.

• The AIACC membership is made up of Governor appointed members, including a Senate appointee and a House appointee, and representatives of a variety of state agencies that deal with the care of those with ASD.

History Continued

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

• Identification of barriers, such as duplicative or fragmented policies which may require modification;

• Development of a coordinated program of services;• Implement a comprehensive fiscal review, analysis, and

recommendations for state spending on programs and services for ASD; and

• Identification of annual action steps toward implementation (AIACC, 2014, p. 6).

Strategic Plan

Description of Experiences and Interaction with Mentor

• Personal interactions consisted of emails, exchanges of information, and face-to-face meetings with my mentors Bama Folsom Hager , PhD and Anna McConnell, LCSW, MPH.

• Bama Folsom Hager is mother to a son with ASD. She is Co-Chairperson of AIACC and policy, advocacy. and community advisor for Autism Society of Alabama (ASA). Being from a political family Ms. Folsom-Hager has been able to use her experiences and family background to advance community awareness and policy issues in regards to ASD.

• Anna McConnell is State Autism Coordinator for AIACC. She has an extensive background in working with policymakers and legislators and has brought her experience and skills to work for AIACC.

Personal Interactions and Experiences

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council

• The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council was created to carry out the work of the AATF which dissolved in 2009.

• The AIACC is charged with meeting the urgent and substantial need to develop a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system of care (SOC) for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families (AIACC, 2014).

Purpose

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill PurposeProcesses Used by the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council to Promulgate its Purpose• The processes used by the Alabama Interagency Autism

Coordinating Council to promulgate its purpose of developing the system of care (SOC) are:• Political Leadership, Professional Partnerships, and

Collaboration • Public Awareness• Funding • Accountability

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill Purpose

• Develop and maintain a relationship with the Governor’s office and legislature and establishment of an avenue of communication amongst the AIACC Executive Committee and the legislature.

• Cultivate professional and research partnerships; develop talking points for recruitment; and recruit partnership leaders, agencies, organizations, stakeholders, and researchers.

• Create and maintain collaborative relationships between people living with ASD and their families and those agencies, organizations, and professionals which serve them (AIACC, 2014).

Political Leadership, Professional Partnerships, and Collaboration

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill Purpose

Act 298 Autism Insurance Reform Act.Act 298 was very controversial because the initial bill 298 (The Riley Ward Insurance Reform Act of 2012) named after Rep. Cam Ward’s son was amended beyond what certain agencies, such as Autism Speaks (who pulled their support of the bill), aim to achieve for individual states. It only allows for Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBA) to be reimbursed for certain therapies,but there is no licensing method for BCBAs in Alabama. Link to view Act 298 http://www.aldoi.gov/PDF/Legal/SB0283%20ACT12-0298.pdf

Political Leadership: AIACC legislative review

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill Purpose

Still Just a BillSB305 proposed to create a BCBA licensing method, so BCBA providers can be reimbursed for the therapies detailed in Act 298. SB 305 was not passed but is expected to be reintroduced later in 2014.SB 373 proposed to allow persons with ASD to have it displayed on their driver’s licenses. SB 373 was not passed in 2013 but is expected to be reintroduced later in 2014.

Political Leadership: AIACC legislative review

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill PurposePolitical Leadership: Legislative Day

AIACC supports Alabama’s Annual Legislative Day which is usually in March every year and allows people to discuss autism legislation, meet with families impacted by ASD, meet with legislators, and tell personal stories of life with ASD. Legislative Day is a great opportunity for the general public to get involved, gain better insight into ASD the impact it has on families, and meet legislators

• Act Early CampaignAIACC modified CDC materials “Learn the Signs. Act Early” and used public service announcements in order to get information to “caregivers, early intervention professionals, pediatricians, and other primary care professionals” to promote early diagnosis and early intervention of ASD (CDC, 2011).

• Alabama Lifespan Resource Tree and Online Directory

An online directory of resources so those living with ASD and their families can more easily contact and gain much needed information and resources.

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill PurposePublic Awareness-Implement awareness campaigns

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill Purpose

AIACC is involved in increasing public awareness in many ways, including:• distributing learning materials regarding ASD to schools,

provider offices, and affiliates,• support of autism awareness and fund raising walks,• support of creation of autism awareness month in Alabama,• support of online autism resource directory,• development of a community-based awareness campaign called

“Autism Friendly”,• development of regional autism centers to better serve the many regions throughout Alabama (AIACC, 2014).

Public Awareness Continued

• Identify funding opportunities for the AIACC

• Support the Alabama Autism Coordinator in the development of grant funding

• Invite private funding for the support of AIACC goals

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill PurposeFunding

Processes used by the AIACC to Fulfill PurposeAccountabilityThrough accountability AIACC maintains high integrity and support of evidence-based practices which is a beneficial process to fulfilling their purpose. When an organization maintains accountability it is easier to recruit partnerships, obtain funding, and gain the interest of legislators. AIACC “supports evidence-based, high-quality, cost-effective models and best practices that provide supports to persons with ASD and their families” (AIACC, 2014).

Opportunities for the General Public to Interact and Influence Autism Public Health Policy

There are many ways that the general public can get involved • The general public is invited and welcome at the annual Autism Legislative Day which allows one to interact with people with ASD and their families, hear their stories, and interact with state leaders and legislators. • There are over 15 autism walks scheduled, through the month of April in Alabama, to raise awareness and funding. Anyone can participate. • Get involved during April’s autism awareness activities to bring awareness to friends, neighbors, colleagues, such as light it up blue (use blue light bulbs in your outdoor light fixtures).• Write emails or letters to your state representatives regarding autism funding and legislation

References:

Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council. (2014). Annual Report 2013.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Partner spotlight-Alabama. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/partners/spotlight-archives/spotlight_alabama.html

Mulvihill, B.A. (2011). Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council: Strategic Plan. http://autism.alabama.gov/Documents/AIACC_Strategic_Plan.pdf