Crist Extends Autism Task Force on World Autism Awareness Day

> *Crist Extends Autism Task Force on World Autism Awareness Day*
>
> *Task Force co-chair Dan Marino joins Governor for Executive Order signing
> extending task force until January 5, 2011. *
>
> *Thursday April 2nd, 2009*
>
> *
>
http://www.fosterfollynews.com/news/2009April2CristExtendsAutismTaskForceonWorld\
AutismAwarenessDay.php
> *
>
> TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 09-82,
> extending the Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders until January 5, 2011.
> Governor Crist was joined at the signing, taking place on World Autism
> Awareness Day, by task force co-chair Dan Marino, Hall of Fame quarterback
> for the Miami Dolphins. Governor Crist also highlighted legislation approved
> in 2008 that increases health care coverage for services for autism.
>
> “By raising autism awareness and encouraging new research, we are helping
> Florida’s most treasured resource, our children, to live healthier and more
> empowered lives,” said Governor Crist. “Extending the work of the task force
> provides more opportunity for successes and understanding, improving the
> lives of all Floridians affected by autism spectrum disorders.”
>
> Beginning April 1, 2009, Senate Bill 2654 requires group health insurance
> policies to cover screening and therapies for autism. For children diagnosed
> before age 8 with autism spectrum disorders – specifically autistic
> disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not
> otherwise specified – coverage includes up to $36,000 a year for therapies,
> up to $200,000 in total lifetime benefits. Additionally, insurers cannot
> deny coverage due to diagnosis of a developmental disability, and coverage
> must continue until the child’s 18th birthday or until no longer enrolled in
> high school.
>
> Governor Crist has also signed a proclamation observing April 2, 2009, as
> World Autism Awareness Day in Florida. Autism is a complex developmental
> disability that typically appears during the first three years of life.
> Statistics show that one in every 150 children develops an autism spectrum
> disorder. The disability, while more prevalent in boys, knows no racial,
> ethnic or social boundaries.
>
> *Task Force 2009 Report Highlights*
>
> During its first year, the Governor’s Task Force on Autism Spectrum
> Disorders recommended a unified and coordinated agenda for addressing autism
> in Florida. Highlights of the report, under consideration for the Governor,
> include:
>
> - The creation and maintenance of a Statewide Autism Website in order
> to increase awareness of existing technology and resources.
> - Developing and implementing targeted outreach campaigns for
> individuals with autism and their families, in addition to the general
> public.
> - Additional research on prevalence, causes and links to autism.
> - Increased awareness of early signs of autism and autism screenings.
> - Expansion of Take Me Home program throughout Florida and increased
> safety precautions.
> - Exploration of cost-saving opportunities for families maneuvering
> through the medical payment and reimbursement system.
>
> *Governor’s Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders*
>
> Governor Crist signed Executive Order 08-36 creating the Task Force on
> Autism Spectrum Disorders on March 7, 2008. The task force works to advance
> public policy for the research, screening, education, and treatment of
> autism; to assess the availability of insurance coverage for appropriate
> treatment of autism; and to recommend a unified and coordinated agenda for
> addressing autism in Florida. The 25 members of the Task Force include
> health care practitioners, autism advocates, representatives from private
> and public organizations that address autism, state and local government
> representatives, family members of persons with autism spectrum disorders,
> and an individual with an autism spectrum disorder.
>
> STATE OF FLORIDA
>
> *OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR*
>
> *EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 09-82*
>
> *(Extension of Executive Order 08-36)*
>
> WHEREAS, the Governor’s Taskforce on Autism Spectrum Disorders (the “Task
> Force”) was established by Executive Order 08-36 to advance public policy
> for the research, screening, education, and treatment of autism, to assess
> the availability of insurance coverage for appropriate treatment of autism,
> and to recommend a unified and coordinated agenda for addressing autism in
> Florida; and
>
> WHEREAS, it is in the interest of Florida’s families facing autism and the
> public as a whole that the Task Force continue in existence beyond the
> termination date specified in Executive Order 08-36.
>
> NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the
> authority vested in me by the laws and Constitution of the State of Florida,
> issue the following Executive Order, effective immediately:
>
> *Section 1.*
>
> The Governor’s Taskforce on Autism Spectrum Disorders (the “Task Force”)
> shall continue in existence until January 5, 2011, unless extended by
> further Executive Order of the Governor.
>
>
>
> *Section 2.*
>
> The responsibilities of the Task Force shall include, but shall not be
> limited to:
>
> a. developing a strategy for early diagnosis and intervention by
> working with medical experts and organizations to determine how best to
> encourage screenings for autism as part of routine pediatric visits;
>
> b. reviewing the coordination and efforts of state agencies and
> organizations relating to the provision of treatment to individuals with
> autism and resources available to their families and other caregivers;
>
> c. developing a plan to implement a comprehensive Florida autism Web
> site to help families, educators, and health care providers sort through
> information and quickly identify resources;
>
> d. identifying and recommending methods to remove barriers to the
> education and awareness of parents, teachers, medical professionals and
> other caregivers of young children to facilitate early diagnosis and
> intervention;
>
> e. identifying and recommending methods to encourage public-private
> partnerships and resource sharing in support of autism and developmental
> disabilities research and services;
>
> f. partnering with agencies and organizations serving the autism
> community to facilitate collaborative efforts consistent with the purposes
> of the Task Force;
>
> g. developing strategy to gauge the prevalence of autism in Florida;
>
> h. assessing short-term and long-term financial and societal impact of
> autism to families and the state and making recommendations for cost-saving
> measures;
>
> i. developing long-term recommendations as to the education,
> integration, care, employment, and coverage of persons with autism;
>
> j. developing strategy to increase community awareness of autism,
> with special attention to communities with evidenced economic need or health
> disparities;
>
> k. developing recommendations to ensure the safety of persons with
> autism;
>
> l. exploring options for health coverage of individualized autism
> treatment, including, but not limited to, speech therapy, occupational
> therapy, mental health, and alternative therapies;
>
> m. exploring methods of identifying and addressing quality of life
> concerns of individuals with autism and their families;
>
> *n. developing recommendations for the zero-tolerance policy that
> reflect the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders;*
>
> *o. developing recommendations for positive behavior supports in lieu
> of restraint and seclusion that reflect the safety and behavioral needs of
> individuals with autism spectrum* *disorders;*
>
> p. developing regional-level collaboratives for autism spectrum
> disorders through the Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) as
> central points for information sharing, gap reduction, collaborative
> planning, and service delivery;
>
> q. developing recommendations for transitional life periods,
> employment, and independent living support of persons with autism spectrum
> disorders;
>
> r. developing recommendations for the dental care of individuals with
> autism spectrum disorders;
>
> s. reviewing and recommending assistive technology/technology options
> for individuals with autism spectrum disorders; and
>
> t. maintaining and periodically reviewing autism-specific cost data.
>
>
>
> *Section 3.*
>
> The Task Force shall prepare a second annual report to the Governor no
> later than March 20, 2010, which shall include, but need not be limited to,
> the issues described in Section 3 of Executive Order 08-36.
>
>
>
> *Section 4.*
>
> The Task Force shall consist of 18 to 25 members appointed by the
> Governor. Membership of the Task Force shall reflect a broad spectrum of
> interested parties, including, but not limited to:
>
> a. Self-advocates with autism spectrum disorders;
>
> b. Health care practitioners;
>
> c. Advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorders;
>
> d. Representatives from private and public organizations that address
> autism;
>
> e. State and local government representatives; and
>
> f. Family members of persons with autism spectrum disorders.
>
>
>
> IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal
> of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol this 2nd
> day of April, 2009.
>
> Charlie Crist
>
> GOVERNOR
>
> ATTEST:
>
> Kurt Browning
>
> SECRETARY OF STATE