On September 19, #AutismCARES passed in Congress!
AUCD applauds Congress' passage of the Autism Cares Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill to expand research and coordination, increase public awareness and surveillance, and expand interdisciplinary health professional training to identify and support individuals with autism and their families.
Read AUCD's full statement on the
Congressional passage of Autism CARES.
News
9/9/2019
Register Today for AUCD 2019!
Leading Change Together
Join us at AUCD 2019 as we come together to celebrate the many ways we lead change, as we work with diverse communities and people, create programming, conduct research, practice, and advocacy that impacts the broad spectrum of disability. We welcome network members, non-network organizational partners, experts from all across the disability field, individuals with disabilities, family members, and trainees to learn and grow together during this exciting event.
9/19/2019
Request for Application: Developing State-level Innovative Practice Groups
Deadline October 17, 5pmET
These practice groups, or communities of practice, will leverage experience in strategically working across and aligning early childhood sectors, to support parents of young children who may have behavioral concerns. An Informational Call will be held on October 2, 2019, 1pm ET.
9/18/2019
New U.S. Department of Education Guidance on IDEA and VR Funding for Postsecondary Students with ID
Joint Statement of AUCD, Autism Society and NDSC
The guidance clarifies that IDEA and VR funds may be used to support students with intellectual disability in postsecondary programs. It is an important step in the right direction. While IDEA, WIOA, and the Higher Education Act intend for such funding to be available, guidance from ED has sometimes been interpreted to deny services and funding.
9/16/2019
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) U54 Research Project Finalists Generating Multidisciplinary and Innovative Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Three pilot studies led by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) researchers are competing to serve as the signature project of the VKC Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC). The VKC's IDDRC grant is up for renewal in 2019, and a major component of the grant is the requirement of a research project. A successful grant proposal with acceptance from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development will provide five years of funding, continuing the promise and commitments of the VKC and springboarding the research agenda of the innovative competition winner.
AUCD Webinars
NEW EI/ECSE Standards- Why? When? Next Steps
Tuesday, September 24, 20193:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
The Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children is in the process of developing the first ever, stand alone, Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Personnel Preparation Standards. Learn more about the standards,what led to this important step forward for the EI/ECSE workforce and what it means to the Early Childhood Field/Systems. We will share opportunities to provide feedback to the DEC Standards Development Task Force.
Violence and Mental Illness: The Real Story
Thursday, September 26, 20192:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
The stigma associated with mental illness is based in lack of understanding and fear. It has persisted despite increased knowledge about the underlying nature of disorders. Recent events have led to further stigmatization by suggesting a direct link between mental illness and mass gun violence. This presentation will review history of stigma, describe facts on the relationship between mental illness and violence, identify underlying risk factors for gun violence, and suggest rational approaches to prevention.
2019 Welcome Webinar: Connect and Get Involved with AUCD!
Friday, September 27, 20192:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
Welcome to the AUCD network, 2019 -2020 Trainees! Join us on Friday, September 27th to learn more about how you can connect and get involved with the AUCD network. The two AUCD Emerging Leaders Interns, Meghan and Jazmin, are excited to actively engage with you all to share resources and opportunities to help you make the most out of your traineeship!
Aligning Apprenticeship Ecosystems with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Thursday, October 3, 20192:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
As part of an ongoing formal Alliance between AUCD and the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), AUCD is cohosting a webinar with ODEP and the Office on Apprenticeship at the Department of Labor on ODEPs new apprenticeship initiatives. AUCD is helping to share this information broadly and envisioning how this work can fit into other activities AUCD and its member network are engaged in including services to transition-aged youth, inclusive postsecondary, competitive integrated employment, interactions with employers, and employment research.
Public Policy
Tuesdays with Liz: Language Access Plan with Shante Dannil
AUCD�s 2019 summer Health Equity Fellow, Shante Dannil from the Youth Health Equity Model of Practice at US Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health, describes what a Language Access Plan is and how it can help people with disabilities and individuals with limited-English-proficiency.
Tuesdays with Liz: Chris Smith Explains the 'Sunset Provision' and Talks Advocacy
Congressman Chris Smith provides an overview of what a 'sunset provision' is and how it relates to the Autism CARES Act. He also shares with Liz why the advocacy she and other disability advocates do is so important in helping ensure disability issues and policy receive attention in the halls of Congress.
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The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act
The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act clearly supports that vision by phasing out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and thoughtfully provides the resources necessary to allow for the transition to a competitive integrated employment business model. This bill represents tangible, life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
Events
Division for Early Childhood's 35th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs and Their Families
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 - Friday, October 4, 2019Location: Dallas, TX
This year's conference, Dreaming of a Bigger Tomorrow: Building Our Future Through Collaboration and Partnerships, features foremost authorities in Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, and the related disciplines. We look forward to having you join us for four days of programming, three keynote sessions, hundreds of conference and poster sessions, daily opportunities to network and more, this October in Dallas, Texas.
National Organizational Change Forum: Sheltered Workshop Conversion to Community Employment
Monday, October 21, 2019 - Tuesday, October 22, 2019Location: Burlington, VT
This Forum is designed to be interactive and action oriented. Participate in lively discussions and planning related to policy and systems change, leadership, management, transition, career development, and integrated employment.
20th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-based Care
Thursday, October 24, 2019 - Friday, October 25, 2019Location: Online Broadcast
Each year, AUCD supports the live broadcast of Baylor College of Medicine's Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care. This is a unique and low-cost professional development and learning opportunity for faculty, staff, and trainees from LENDs, DBPs, UCEDDs, and IDDRCs. It can also be a great way to engage community partners, including leaders from self-advocacy and family organizations. CART captioning will be provided for all broadcast sessions.
