Project Description:
South Carolina Act Early Team
A network of key stakeholders focused on Autism Spectrum Disorders
History In November 2008 the Center for Disability Resources (USC) joined a national effort organized by the Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) at Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to create a team in South Carolina focused on the many issues facing children with autism and their families. The Center for Disability Resources associate director collaborated with the South Carolina Autism Society executive director in formation of the SC Act Early Team.
The purpose of this team is to enhance collaboration among these key stakeholders to address the opportunities, challenges, and barriers for families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and related disabilities in early identification, assessment, diagnosis, early intervention, and family-friendly access to services.
Funding The SC Act Early team, following a regional planning summit in January 2009 (Nashville, TN and funded by the AUCD) applied for and received a mini-grant to support costs associated with in-person meetings of the team in Columbia. The amount of the award was $3,000. The team also applied for a training grant from the National Professional Development Center on Autism which was not funded. That grant would have provided training (no funds) for three school districts that agreed to participate in the training on evidence-based practices in autism education and intervention.
Composition The SC Act Early team includes a diverse membership with experience and expertise in most, if not all, areas relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Each member, represents a relevant constituency and not an ?individual membership?. Members include:
? Center for Disability Resources USC ? Associate Director and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Chair)
? South Carolina Autism Society ? Executive Director (co-chair)j and Vice President
? Medical University of South Carolina ? Developmental Pediatrician
? Greenville Hospital, Developmental Pediatrics ? Psychologist
? Winston?s Wish ? President and Founder
? South Carolina Chapter of American Academy on Pediatrics ? State Chair
? South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs ? Associate Director of Policy
? South Carolina Governor?s Council on Developmental Disabilities ? Executive Director
? First Steps ? Executive Director
? BabyNet - Part C Coordinator for South Carolina
? Family Connection ? Executive Director
? University of South Carolina ? College of Education/Special Education ? Professor
? South Carolina Department of Education ? Office of Exceptional Children, Education Associate for Autism
Activities to Date The SC Act Early Team, collaborating by teleconference and two in-person meetings, has focused on specific activities related to improving early identification, diagnosis, and intervention for children with autism. Activities have included grant submission (1 funded, 1 not funded), planning for ?master clinician? training for pediatricians to enhance their skills in autism screening for early identification, developing of a ?roadmap to services? to make it easier for families to learn about and access services, and discussion of needed enhancements to assessment, diagnosis, early intervention, education, and related supports for children with ASD and their families.
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
