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Budget
The House Labor-HHS-Ed Appropriations Subcommittee released their spending report for Fiscal Year 2020, which starts October 1, 2019; as expected there is much positive news to share.
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDDs)
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FY17
(in millions)
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FY18
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FY19
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AUCD FY20 Ask
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House Labor-HHS-Ed
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$39.0
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$40.6
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$40.6
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$43.5
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$41.6
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Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND)
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FY17
(in millions)
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FY18
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FY19
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AUCD FY20 Ask
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House Labor-HHS-Ed
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$31.3
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$32.0
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$33.5
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$35,245,159
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$35,245,000
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Projects of National Significance (PNS)
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FY17
(in millions)
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FY18
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FY19
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AUCD FY20 Ask
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House Labor-HHS-Ed
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$10.0
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$12.0
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$12.0
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$14.0
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$13.0
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Additional details of other programs can be found in AUCD's first look. As a reminder of process, the Senate appropriations process is still in front of us. In short, these numbers should not be viewed as final; instead they are a positive step.
Action Steps:
- Thank your Representative for their support of critical programs
Administration for Community Living
A planned reorganization within the Administration for Community living (ACL) was noticed in the Federal Register on May 9th. The goals of the reorganization are to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the organization; strengthen infrastructure; and improve the connections between the organization and its stakeholders, grantees and consumers at the national, state and local levels. AUCD and other members of the disability community have engaged in efforts to learn more and understand the possible impacts. Several groups have shared their questions, suggestions and input:
Action Steps:
There is not an official public comment process of this reorganization and it does not require Congressional approval. However, ACL's vision statement includes a commitment to collaboration with partners; sharing your questions and input may help to convey implications from the point of view of local communities.
Talking points:
- The importance of collaboration and coordination between the three DD Act partners
- The value of clear leadership focused on Independent Living
- The unique knowledge that exists in the NIDLR grant oversite structure
Autism CARES 2019
The Autism CARES Act - which has expanded research and coordination, increased public awareness and surveillance, and expanded interdisciplinary health professional training, including LENDs, to identify and support children and youth with Autism and their families - will sunset (expire) in 154 day on September 30, 2019, without a successful reauthorization. Bills to reauthorize the Act have been introduced and need co-sponsors (HR. 1058, S. 427). Currently 22 Senators and 76 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors.
Action Steps:
Contact your Congressional delegation and make sure they are engaged in the reauthorization.
- Check the House List and if your Representative has not yet co-sponsored call them and ask them to do so. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121; (voice) 202 224-3091 (TTY)
Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to support and co-sponsor H.R: 1058."
- Check the Senate List and if one or both of your Senators has not yet co-sponsored call them and ask them to do so. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121; (voice) 202 224-3091 (TTY)
Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to support and co-sponsor H.R: 1058."
Campaign 2020
The following notable candidates are running for president. Your voice is needed to ensure that disability policy is part of the campaign.
Action Steps:
- For candidates who are currently in office, share and elevate their position on key disability legislation as noted below. Tip: You can and should ask them to support bills of importance.
- Check out the campaign website of each candidate (links below); use the sites to ask questions about disability policy.
Current Members of Congress
Other Candidates
Joe Biden (D), Former Vice President
Bill Weld (R), Former Governor of Massachusetts
Jay Inslee (D), Governor of Washington state
Pete Buttigieg (D), Mayor of South Bend, Indiana
Julian Castro (D), former U.S. Secretary of HUD
Andrew Yang (D), entrepreneur and venture capitalist
John Delaney (D), former U.S. Representative from Maryland
Donald Trump (R), sitting President
Tuesdays with Liz: Right to Communicate with Mary Schuh and Ken Capone
Liz chats with Mary Schuh and Ken Capone about what the 'right to communicate' means in the context of disability and why it is so important.
For more from AUCD, follow @AUCDNews and like AUCD on Facebook
For updates from our Executive Director Andy Imparato, follow @AndyAUCD.
For definitions of terms used in In Brief, please see AUCD's Glossary of Legislative Terms
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