New Hampshire State of the State Presentation Act Early Regional Summit April 26 th & 27 th 2010 Providence, RI
New Hampshire State Systems New Hampshire s Screening & Referral System Division of Public Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Section Watch Me Grow Initiative (screen early, screen often!) ASQ + M CHAT; Born Learning materials for parent education Collaboration with: child care, home care, preschool, Head Start, and other community organizations (e.g., library, dentist) Other Child Find Activities Age 2, name/address sent to school district Kindergarten screening typically done in Spring Some schools doing universal screening Part C: Family Centered Early Supports & Services (ESS) Department of Health & Human Services, Bureau of Developmental Services 10 regional Area Agencies Intensive Supports (Autism Proposals) Additional funding allocated through the Part C grant to support children under 3 yrs old
New Hampshire State System Child Development Clinics: 6 clinics across the state Some funded by Special Medical Services (Title V) Other clinics (Easter Seals, LEND supported) Clinics under development in collaboration with ESS NH Council Human Services group Regional Hubs (planning stage) Creation of Resource/Diagnostic list Autism Registry New diagnoses Statewide Nutrition Feeding & Swallowing (SMS Title V) Child Care Resource and Referral Network
Other Statewide Resources / Collaborations Interagency Coordinating Committee ESS Directors, Parents, University Faculty, State level personnel Early Education & Intervention Network (EEIN) Preschool Technical Assistance Network (P TAN) Family Resource Connection (State Library) NH Family Voices Family Resource Centers
Statewide Autism Initiatives 2002 NH Task Force on ASD 2007 NH Commission on ASD 2008 Report of Recommendations & Findings 2009 NH Council on ASD Early Screening & Diagnosis Education Human Resources Data Collection Insurance Issues Public Awareness Safety Independent Living & Employment Annual Report (April 2009; July 2010)
NH Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Putting the Pieces Together Parent; Self Advocate (governor appointed) Autism Society of NH NH Association of Special Education Administrators NH Psychological Association NH Medical Society Department of Education; Career Technology & Adult Learning Department of Health and Human Services; Bureau of Developmental Services; Bureau of Behavioral Health; Division of Public Health Services Community Support Network NH Council on Developmental Disabilities Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire (UCED)
Screening Initiatives Statewide Initiatives / Resources Open Forum, Pediatric Society Trainings (awareness) Watch Me Grow (ASQ + M CHAT) ASD Leading & Learning Collaborative (M CHAT within Primary Care Practices) Universal Screening, Technical Assistance ARRA Initiatives related to ASD Screening Initiatives Innovative Evaluation & Intervention Initiatives Autism Family Center Support for NH Council on ASD Administration Professional Development Initiatives / Certificate Programs NH Technical Institute Autism Early Intervention Specialist Certificate (Associate s Level) University of New Hampshire Graduate Certificate in ASD; Advanced ASD Fellowship (LEND) Plymouth State University Certificate in Neurodevelopmental Approaches to Teaching; Certificate in Early Intervention Antioch University Graduate Certificate in ASD
Resource Link for Families (NH Council on ASD) Calendar of Events Topics Red Flags Getting Started Special Education Transition Resource Maps: Developmental Services Child Development Clinics Community Mental Health Special Education Private Providers
Data Collection Education data Area Agency data SMS (Title V) data from child development clinics NH Registry for ASD Voluntary Initiated November 2008 First Report November 2009
Current Legislative Activities Health Insurance Reform: HB 569, Connor s Law An act clarifying insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders in NH. Aligns coverage with AAP Guidelines Framed within NH mental health parity Makes behavior based therapy a covered service up to $50,000/year ages 0 8; $36,000 thereafter Prohibits coverage decline based on habilitation Supported by NH House January 6, 2010 Supported by Senate Committee, April 15, 2010 Voted upon by the NH Senate, April 21, 2010
Current Challenges and Gaps Access to diagnostic evaluation services Sustained family support Family care coordination across systems Understanding of ASD across systems Effective funding models Qualified providers Lack of certification or recognized level of training Differs from region to region Geographic challenges Lack of resources in rural areas, esp. north country Transportation (no good statewide system) Cultural diversity in core areas of the state; need for translators
Looking Towards the Future All New Hampshire children will be screened for ASD before age two. All children suspected of having ASD will be referred immediately for early supports and services and undergo a diagnostic evaluation within 45 days. All children with a diagnosis of ASD will have begun a robust program of evidence based intervention and treatment within 45 days of diagnosis. Early supports & services, school based services, family support, community support, care coordination ~ NH Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders: Findings & Recommendations, 2008