Hello my friends....
This has been a whirlwind year for Parents and Children with Autism. This is the second year for the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism and an exciting year it was. The Blue Ribbon Commission sponsored 8 specific Bills that went on to be passed overwhelmingly in both the Senate and Assembly with bi-partisan support from the Democrats and Republicans. While four of the Bills were consequently signed into law by the Governor three were vetoed due to associated costs at a time of critical budget shortcomings. One, the insurance Bill, was vetoed due to an earlier mental health parity bill the Governor pointed out if used as it was intended it would hold insurance carriers accountable for autism services. This was exciting in that the Governor gave Children with Autism a road map to challenge the insurance industry's mantra of "not medically necessary". We will be teaching the insurance industry a new word "Parity".
While Education has been a hands off issue for the past year I feel the immunity card will fall victim to massive budget shortages.
Social services have been under a lot of pressures due to major losses of funding. Just last week The Central Valley Regional Center held a Legislative Breakfast inviting both the California and Federal Legislators to highlight the loss of services due to decreasing funding of their programs. Somehow or someway our elected leaders have to find a way to balance the needs of disabled children with the costs and the revenue available. The leaders may have to hear from their constituents regarding their responsibility in solving the problems and I don't mean on the backs of our Children. By the way, California is the only State that has a Regional Center program serving Developmentally Delayed Children.
The good news is that more and more service providers are coming into the Central Valley giving parents additional options for services for their precious children. Several State Colleges, including our own CSU Fresno, have expanded their programs on the B.S., M.S., and PhD. level to include ABA (Applied Behavior Analyst) and other autism training to be included in the Degree. Several sources are researching the possible opening of a center-based program to service children with disabilities (After School Center).
This past week has indeed been a busy week. Tuesday, FEAT-FMC held its Board Meeting at the Children's Hospital. Thursday, CVRC (Central Valley Regional Center) held a Legislative Breakfast at the CVRC multipurpose room. It was packed to capacity with Service Providers, Legislators, Advocates, and Parents. Friday 8 to 5 Fresno state held a Conference on ABA, that evening ASA held a fund raiser. Saturday ASA had a Conference. Barbara Firestone Co Chair of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism was the Key Note Speaker.
This month is not over yet. FEAT has invited ACES to present at the Parent Resource Meeting
FEAT-Fresno Madera Counties
Parent Resource Meeting
Tuesday November 25, 2008
Where: Children's Hospital, Central California
9300 Valley Children's Place
Madera, California
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Presenter: ACES (Autism Comprehensive Educational Services)
ACES was founded over 10 years ago in San Diego and currently has offices in San Diego,
Orange County, the Central Valley (Fresno), and the Bay Area. ACES is dedicated to enhancing the
quality of life for individuals and families impacted by Autism or other special needs. Our mission is
to provide comprehensive, professional services to maximize an individual's potential through their
lifespan in their home, school, and community. ACES is vendorized to provide services to families in
their homes through numerous Regional Centers, including the Central Valley Regional Center, and in
the school system through various school districts across California. Our staff, which consists of BCBA's,
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, OT's, Speech Therapists, and Master Degree Level Professionals, are trained and tested in Applied Behavior Analysis and therapeutic methodologies that have been researched and scientifically proven to be effective. These methodologies include Discrete
Trial Training, Behavior Modification Therapy, Visual Structure, Self-Help Skills, Play Therapies, PRT,
Skills Training, PECS, and Parent Training. ACES Central Valley is currently developing a Family Support Group
along with family counseling, OT, and speech therapy services.
I've been working with children with autism since 1994, first as a home Behavioral Therapist supervised by individuals
from the UCLA Lovaas Clinic, then as a classroom teacher for children with autism for 5 years in Virginia Beach, Virginia and
Escondido, CA, and I have also been with ACES for the last 10 years. I am currently the Clinical Director for the Central
Valley Office. I have a BA in psychology from UC Irvine, a General Education Teaching Credential, a Severely Handicapped
Special Education Teaching Credential, a Language Development Certificate, a Masters in Severely Handicapped Special
Education, and I will have completed all coursework for the BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst Certificate) this December.
Jessica Mitts, M.Ed.Clinical DirectorACES, Inc.
4201 W. Shaw Avenue, Suite 106
Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 275-0559
www.acesautism.com
ACES: Elevating the standards in the treatment of Autism
Dr. Barbara Firestone, Co Chair of the California Legislatative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism has authored a book titled "Heroes" and has donated a copy to FEAT. FEAT will be offering this book as a door prize at the November 25 Parent Resource Meeting. As an added bonus Hometown Buffet has also donated four children dinner tickets. Not only will you get valuable information on a local Autism Service Provider but someone will get a book and someone will get dinner gift certificates.
Parent participation is what fuels the need for FEAT resource meetings. These meetings are free and open to the public thanks to dedicated experts in the field of Autism. They provide professional advice and recommendations while they share their expertise and experiences. For questions or additional information, contact Chuck Genseal Ph# (559) 232-9094 or email at chuck@feat-fmc.org
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