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 83 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors. Maine is now the first state with its entire Congressional delegation 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 S.427"
If you are in Maine or in a district where you members are already co-sponsors, educate members of your social circle who live in other areas and ask them to call. Your story and ask can help others become engaged.
Administration for Community Living
A planned reorganization within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) was noticed in the Federal Register on May 9th. The stated 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. AUCD - together with our partners - shared questions, suggestions and input in a DD Partners Letter to Secretary Azar.
Learn more about the Developmental Disability Act and how the partnership between the State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (Councils), University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs), and Protection & Advocacy Systems (P&As) serves people with disabilities and their families in this week's Tuesday's With Liz.
Share how the UCEDD, Council and P&A touch your life and lives in your state.
Share how the UCEDDs, Councils and P&A coordinate in your state.
Share how the federal funding for UCEDDs, Councils and P&A touches the lives of people with disabilities in your state
Budget and Appropriations
The House Labor-HHS-Ed Appropriations Subcommittee approved its fiscal year 2020 draft bill, the first of twelve appropriations bills to make it out of committee. House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey has stated her intent to approve all those bills out of committee over the next few weeks, as House leaders aim to pass the full dozen on the floor by the end of June. In the Senate, however, appropriations efforts remain stalled until a deal to raise the discretionary spending caps is reached. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have agreed to begin negotiations on a two-year deal to lift stiff budget caps. Talks are expected to begin next week.
Action Steps:
Thank your Representative for their support of critical programs
The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act of 2019 (HR 873 / S 260) was introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA). It provides an approach to phasing out Section 14(c) subminimum wage over a six-year period while providing the funding, supports and training necessary to change the infrastructure of outdated business models.
Action Steps:
Call your Representative and Senatorsand ask them to support the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (HR 873 / S 260).
Script:I am [Name] from [State]. Please cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act (HR 873/S260). This bill will help address barriers to employment of people with disabilities. It provides funding and technical assistance to states and providers to expand capacity for competitive integrated employment while carefully phasing out over six years the ability of businesses to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage - often pennies on the dollar - under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill will help businesses using 14(c) certificates transform into competitive, integrated workplaces where people with disabilities work alongside people without disabilities and get paid equal pay for equal work. Just like everyone else, people with disabilities want to work, live independently and be self-sufficient. Please support the Transformation Act to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Family to Family Health Information Centers
Authorization for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers will sunset (expire) on September 30th without action. H.R.2822 - which would reauthorize the centers - was introduced by Rep. Sherrill [D-NJ] and Rep. Upton [R-MI].
Share the work that the F2F is doing in your state. Ask your Representative to join HR.2822 as a co-sponsor.
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.
Tuesday's With Liz: The Developmental Disabilities Act
Passed in 1963 (not 1960), the Developmental Disabilities (DD) act plays a vital role in ensuring Americans with disabilities are able to participate in the community. Liz outlines what branches compose the DD Act and what they do.
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
