State of the State WASHINGTON Act Early Summit - Region X February 4 & 5, 2010 Seattle Maria Nardella CSHCN Program Department of Health
Current State System State Agency Collaboration/Fragmentation Department of Health CSHCN Program Department of Social & Health Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Part C Early Intervention Program State Medicaid Program Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Department of Early Learning
Current State System Prevalence of Children with Special Health Care Needs and ASD There are about 211,000 children with special health care needs in Washington state. Out of all children with special health care needs, an estimated 5.4% may have an ASD. An estimated 11,400 children in Washington may have ASD.
Key: Northwest Southwest Central East October 2000 Ferry Lincoln Adams Pend Oreille Stevens Spokane Whitman Whatcom Skagit Snohomish King Clallam Jefferson Mason Kitsap Grays Harbor Pacific Klickitat Skamania Pierce Thurston Lewis Cowlitz Clark San Juan Island Wahkiakum Garfield Columbia Asotin Douglas Chelan Kittitas Yakima Grant Franklin Benton Walla Walla Okanogan Washington Counties
Current State System Inconsistent Screening & Identification Delayed Diagnosis Delays to Appropriate Intervention Insurance Challenges
Current Diagnostic Challenge
Department of Health
Governor s Autism Task Force In 2005, Governor Gregoire signed into law Senate Bill 5311 Created the Caring for Washington Individuals with Autism Task Force (ATF). DOH was assigned to staff the ATF. Over a two year period, the ATF: Studied and researched how to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state. In December 2006, reported 31 recommendations to improve care and outcomes across systems of infrastructure, treatment, training, and funding.
Task Force Recommendations In December 2007, the ATF determined six priorities: Ensure all individuals with ASD receive comprehensive health services and coverage within a Medical Home. Create and enhance existing Regional Coalition Hubs. Screen all children in Washington State for ASD before the age of three years, ideally by 18 months. Provide family preservation services and strategies to help families of individuals with ASD stay together. Establish a minimum of one trained autism technical assistance specialist in each of the nine ESDs to provide support to teachers. Develop an Autism Services Guidebook.
Autism Initiatives & Resources Federal Autism Grants The National Combating Autism Act authorized $920 million in federal funding to fight autism through research, surveillance, awareness and early identification. Continuing the work of the ATF, the DOH-CSHCN Program applied for and was awarded one of the first six federal grants. The three goals of the Autism Awareness - Partnership for Change Grant focus on: Awareness Training Policies UW LEND was also awarded a federal expansion grant and is partnering with DOH.
Combating Autism Advisory Council Through the work of the four subcommittees Access, Family Involvement, Public Policy and Training, the Council: Guides the work of the State and LEND Grants. Spreads awareness on the importance of early identification and intervention. Involves parents, family members, and support organizations in raising autism awareness. Advocates for systems change. Assesses community resources and promotes training opportunities.
Current Collaborations
CAAC Members Represent Autism Centers Hospitals & Neurodevelopmental Centers Family Support Organizations State Agencies Parents & Family Members Education Service Districts State Legislators University Research
Advocacy Groups Autism Outreach Project Autism Society of Washington Family Voices of Washington Office of the Education Ombudsman Special Education Support Center Washington Autism Advocacy Autism Speaks Fathers Network Parent to Parent Washington PAVE
Tiers to Diagnosis
Current Diagnostic Challenge
Current Diagnostic Challenge
Tiers to Diagnosis and Referral of Other Disorders
Community Outreach Autism Society of Washington Local Chapters Community Health Centers CSHCN Coordinators in each County Health Department Educational Service Districts Family Resources Coordinators Family Support Organizations Local Autism Coalitions Local Autism Work Groups Local Medical Home Sites Neurodevelopmental Centers School Nurses
Current Legislative Activities Developmental Screening Education & Training Insurance Reform Reimbursement Services
For More Information Washington State Department of Health Maria Nardella State Autism Awareness Grant Manager (360) 236-3573 maria.nardella@doh.wa.gov University of Washington LEND Program Dr. Jeff McLaughlin LEND Autism Grant Manager (206) 685-1350 jfmcl@u.washington.edu