At "Voices Of California" Town Hall, Angelides Vows To Restore Hope For Autistic Children And Their Families

PALM SPRINGS, CA - Joined by medical experts, patients and their families at a "Voices of California" town hall meeting, California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today said that restoring hope for autistic children and their families will be a priority for him as California's Governor.
"Since Day One of his administration, Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen to protect the wealthy while demonstrating a disturbing willingness to cut needed services for the disabled, including children with autism and other developmental disabilities," said Angelides.  "As Governor, I will be on the side of children and families, not powerful special interests." 

In his remarks, Angelides unveiled a four-point initiative to confront autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) early in a child's life and to restore hope for autistic children - and the parents and families of children with autism.  Angelides' plan will:

Expand early childhood diagnosis:

• By fully funding Healthy Families, which means 800,000 uninsured children can be screened;
• Working with physician groups on their Continuing Medical Education to strengthen physician skills at detecting autism;
• Working to change insurance formulas so that doctors are adequately reimbursed for autism screening;
• Improving curriculum for early childhood caregivers and educators. 

Increase early intervention:

• By setting a goal that every regional center will treat all parts of the ASD spectrum by the end of the first term;
• Building on AB 2513 by Assemblymember Pavley to ensure that school districts throughout the state are up to date on the latest and best strategies for educating our autistic children. 

Empower parents:

• By working with special needs parent groups to expand awareness of early screening for all parents;
• Exploring changes to the Ed Code to place a special needs parent as a voting member on the state's Special Education Local Planning Area boards;
• By working with parents to ensure that the 80% of the autistic community that is under 17 years of age will continue to have critical services - geared toward the needs of adults - as their children reach adulthood;
• Supporting community intervention training for all state public safety officials.

Expanding Research

• Supporting efforts to expand research so that the root causes of autism and cures are understood.

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders effect one in every 165 children born in the US. ASD is a condition that affects behavior, communication, and socialization. 
 
The Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act declared the state's responsibility and obligation to provide care and education for people with developmental disabilities.  Governor Schwarzenegger proposed suspending the Lanterman Act in one of his first acts in office.  He later rescinded the proposal thanks to the strong advocacy of the disability community.  Governor Schwarzenegger also proposed cutting the IHSS program which funds care for autistic children and respite care for families.

"Today, the Governor admits he has no plan to balance the $4.5 billion hole in next year's budget," said Angelides.  "So once again, the developmentally disabled will be in the Governor's crosshairs.  My budget and economic plan balances the budget, and will allow for common sense investments to protect our most vulnerable citizens, including children with developmental disabilities."

For more information, please visit www.Angelides.com.

For policy inquiries, please contact:
Drew Schreiber
Deputy Policy Director
(916) 448-1998

For news media inquiries, please contact:
Brian Brokaw
(916) 448-1998