NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
AND
ASSEMBLY SUBCOMMITTEE ON AUTISM RETENTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SUBJECT:
Access to services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

PURPOSE:
To discuss issues surrounding access and any gaps thereof to services provided through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH) for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Thursday, February 10th, 2011
11:30am
Summit Educational Resources
150 Stahl Road
Getzville, NY 14068

New York State provides a system of services, supports, and treatment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) primary or secondary diagnosis. The Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH) contract with local voluntary providers to advance such system of services in order to meet the needs of certain individuals with an ASD. Access to these services however, can be hindered by various issues. In fact, in the 2010 report by the New York State Interagency Task Force on Autism, it was indicated that many families had a difficult time coordinating services for a loved one diagnosed with ASD.

The purpose of this public hearing is to examine the services, supports, and treatment options provided by OPWDD and OMH through local voluntaries; and identify any potential gaps in services, and potential improvements for access to services in order to better serve persons with ASD and their families.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz
Member of Assembly
Chairman
Assembly Standing Committee on
Mental Health, Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities
Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder
Member of the Assembly
Chairman
Assembly Subcommittee on
Autism Retention



PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on access to services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:

Katie L. Birchenough
Analyst
Assembly Committee on Mental Health,
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Room 520 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
Email: birchenoughk@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4371
Fax: (518) 455-4693
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I plan to attend the following public hearing on access to services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on February 10th, 2011.
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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing on February 10th, 2011. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.
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I will address my remarks to the following subjects:




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I do not plan to attend the above hearing.
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I would like to be added to the Committees' mailing list for notices and reports.
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I would like to be removed from the Committees' mailing list.
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I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:




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