An action alert issued by the Jewish Federations of North America calls for amendments to the Combating Autism Act of 2006, which is due to expire on September 30, 2011. Legislation that has been introduced in the Senate to reauthorize the act would make no changes.
As discussed in the JFNA’s action alert and in the recently posted ASAN action alert, the legislation is missing important amendments that are needed to (1) ensure self-advocates are full partners in the research, planning and service-provision processes; (2) focus more funding on services-research and services-focused initiatives; and (3) focus on life-span oriented research and initiatives.
The JFNA expressed concern that the length of the proposed reauthorization, three years, would prevent improvements that were critical for individuals on the autism spectrum to gain access to more innovative and comprehensive services.
Therefore, the JFNA has asked the public to contact members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, as well as Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), either by phone or by e-mail, as soon as possible and urge them to include these proposed amendments to the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act. You can find find contact information for these key Senators in the JFNA action alert.