HOUSE MEMORIAL 82

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Danice Picraux

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND DISABILITY TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS OF THE UNMET NEEDS OF ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico health sciences center hosts the center for development and disability, a university center for excellence in developmental disabilities education, research and service; and

     WHEREAS, the center for development and disability is one of sixty-seven such centers in the United States, and these centers are authorized by the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; and  

     WHEREAS, the stated purpose of these centers is to build capacity in states and communities to respond to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders; and

     WHEREAS, the center for development and disability in New Mexico offers numerous programs and projects, including specific programs for children with autism, funded by a variety of federal and state agencies and private partners; and

     WHEREAS, the need for adult-focused autism services and programs in New Mexico is growing exponentially; and

     WHEREAS, the autism programs and all other programs at the center are intended to foster and support innovative, collaborative and interdisciplinary education, distance learning, applied research and analysis, dissemination of information, direct client services and individual and family support; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of the center is to support "full inclusion of people with disabilities and their families in their communities by engaging individuals in making life choices"; and

     WHEREAS, this mission is to be accomplished through partnerships with communities to build resources and improve systems of care; and

     WHEREAS, the mission, expertise and accomplishments of the center make it the ideal setting to look at the state's system of care for adults with autism;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico center for development and disability be requested to conduct an analysis of the unmet needs of adults with autism spectrum disorders; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the center, using the findings of the analysis, make recommendations for appropriate medical, educational, vocational and treatment services and for enhanced individual, family and provider training to promote independent living for these individuals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the center coordinate the analysis with the department of health, the public education department, the higher education department, the developmental disabilities planning council and others that partner in serving the educational and services needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of the findings and recommendations of this analysis be presented to the legislative health and human services committee no later than October 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of public education, higher education and health, the director of the developmental disabilities planning council and the director of the university of New Mexico center for development and disability.

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