ALERT

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are not getting the services they need

Massachusetts promised to spend $2 million on the Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver program so that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can get the help they need so they can live at home and are less likely to need to be sent to an institution. Massachusetts state law requires Massachusetts to apply to the federal government for the money by April 5, 2006

Massachusetts did not apply to the federal government for the Medicaid Waiver in time and now the state can not keep its $2 million promise to these children and their families.

The Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver

The Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver is a way for the federal government to pay Massachusetts 1/2 the cost of intensive in-home services (such as ABA and DIR/floor-time) and other services that support children with ASD in their homes and communities, and lessen the chances that children will need institutional care.

There is not enough money for the Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver to help all the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the state. At first, the waiver program will be small. Once we show that providing intensive in-home services works, we hope the legislature will be willing to increase the budget and the number of children served. (Keep in mind that the federal government is paying for 1/2 the program!) We think that the state may choose to limit the waiver program to children from low-income families, who need help most, at the beginning of this program. The Department of Mental Retardation is developing the state's waiver.

The legislature has shown that they know and care about children with ASD. They enacted and funded the Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver law very quickly. It is important for parents throughout the Commonwealthto tell  lawmakers that programs for children with ASD make a difference and that parents will ensure accountability. For more information on the waiver please visit our website at www.massadvocates.org.

We need you to act now!

What you can do:

1. Call or write your state senator or representative

Find out who your state senator and representative is and how to phone or email him or her by going to wheredoivotema.com or call the state house at 617-722-2000.

2. Call or email governor-elect Deval Patrick with "attn: Joan Wallace-Benjamin, Chief of Staff - re: Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver" in the subject, or call 617-367-2006.
   1. Tell them you are a parent (relative, friend) of a child with ASD, explain why in-home intensive services are so important
   2. Ask them to ask the Department of Mental Retardation to apply to the federal government for the Children's Autism Medicaid Waiver right away.

For more information, contact Ann Guay or visit www.massadvocates.org.