Government Affairs
Important News
No More Budget Cuts
To join us in the opposition of these cuts, click here to take action
Once again it appears that funding for services to people with autism and developmental disabilities may be targeted for further cuts. All services are at risk.
In the May 12, 2009 edition of the Providence Journal regarding the huge short fall in state revenue for the coming fiscal year, it is reported that House Finance Committee Chairman Steven Costantino said he “would not rule out sweeping cuts to human service programs for the elderly and disabled….”
In the past, your action and advocacy for the funding of services has proven extremely effective. While we can all appreciate the hard economic times our state faces, the people we support have endured enough cuts in their funding.
We are again asking you to become involved in advocating for your family members services. We have attached a letter you can edit and send to your elected official with a very clear message – NO MORE CUTS.
To join us in the opposition of these cuts, click here to take action. We need hundreds of people to demonstrate that our interests cannot be ignored.
This is the first in a series of activities we will be promoting in an effort to inform our legislators of the need to preserve services for people with autism and developmental disabilities.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Lee Beliveau at 401-274-6310, ext. 1230, or by e-mail at lbeliveau@grodencenter.org. Thank you for your support.
Autism Costly to Families: Survey Finds Heavy Burden on Jobs, Finances
By Lindsey Tanner, Associated Press
More than half a million U.S. children have autism with costly health care needs that often put an unprecedented financial strain on their families, national data show.
Compared with parents whose youngsters have chronic health care needs but not autism, those with autistic children are three times more likely to have to quit their jobs or reduce work hours to care for their kids. They pay more for their kids' health needs, spend more time providing or arranging for that care, and are more likely to have money difficulties, the study found.
"This is the first national survey that looked at the impact on families of having kids with special health care needs," said lead author Michael Kogan, a researcher with the government's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
The results are from a nationally representative 2005-06 survey of nearly 40,000 children with special health care needs. These children have a broad range of chronic conditions, including physical and mental illness, requiring more extensive medical care than usual.
A total of 2,088 children with special health needs had autism, which translates to about 535,000 kids aged 3 to 17 nationwide, the study authors said.
Autism typically involves poor verbal communication, repetitive behaviors such as head-banging, and avoidance of physical or eye contact. Affected children often need many more types of treatment than kids with other chronic conditions, including speech and behavior therapy and sometimes medication.
Kogan said that may explain the disproportionate strain on their families.Jacquie Mace, whose 12-year-old son, Austin, has autism, said the study presents a "very realistic" picture of the challenges affected families face.Mace said she spends "easily $15,000 to $20,000 out of pocket" yearly on supplies for behavior treatment she provides for her son.She's still working to pay off a $7,000 bill for dental work Austin had last year. He has to be sedated and hospitalized for dental care because he can't sit still in a chair, Mace explained. Austin's health insurance doesn't cover any of it, she said.
Some states require insurers to cover certain autism treatments. Rhode Island does not.
Similar requirements have been proposed and are being considered in other states.
Visit the Action Center and help fight proposed FY 2009 Budget cuts!
Today, services for young people with autism and developmental disabilities are confronted with challenges that were unimaginable only two years ago. Real threats exist to the continuation of programs that families, staff, volunteers and citizens of good will have taken decades to build.
All of us at the Groden Network see daily the challenges so many of our families and consumers confront. We believe it is critical to work together to support and expand services for people with autism and developmental disabilities.
We need you to join us in reaching out to our community, policy-makers and legislators to share the important story as to why services are critically needed.
Please join us as we "Call to Action" our families, friends and staff to save our children's funding.
For more information on how you can become an advocate, contact Lisa Rego, Parent Liaison, at lrego@grodencenter.org or 401-274-6310, ext. 1111.
We look forward to working with you to improve the lives of people with autism and developmental disabilities.