ACTION ALERT!!!
Contact Senate Education Committee
Regarding the LA Department of Education
Abolishing the Autism Supervisor Position
The Senate Education Committee postponed voting on HB 650, the bill regarding the reorganization of the LA Department of Education and the elimination of the position of Autism Supervisor as well as other special education positions. This bill and others will be heard at the next committee meeting which will likely be on Thursday, May 30th, possibly sooner. If you didn't have a chance to contact the Senate Education Committee members regarding HB 650, there is still time! Their contact information is at the bottom of this email and talking points are in the letter below from the Autism Society - Louisiana State Affiliate.
As soon we hear confirmation on the next meeting date for the Senate Education Committee, we will let you know. In the meantime, we are asking those who can attend the committee meeting in Baton Rouge to please do so. Your presence COUNTS!
If you wear a Walk for Hope t-shirt, your presence WILL be noticed!
When you attend the Senate Education Committee Meeting, you can sign cards in support of or against any bill. This is IMPORTANT! The legislators will take those cards, your calls, and your emails into account before they vote.
We will continue to keep you updated on this bill and others which may be of interest.
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(**from email sent by Autism Society-Louisiana State Chapter, Inc. We are forwarding this message as we believe it is of great interest to you,
our members.)
ACTION ALERT!!
RE: AUTISM SUPERVISOR POSITION
(Original Action Alert from Tuesday, May 21st)
We have been informed that the position of Autism Supervisor at the Louisiana Department of Education is being abolished. Thirty-four (34) employees, including many who had directly or indirectly assisted students receiving special education services for years, received notice that they were laid off under a restructuring plan for the Louisiana Department of Education proposed by Superintendent John White which must be approved by the LA Legislature. The majority of these positions were held by those employees whose salaries were paid with
federal dollars NOT state funds; yet the reason given for the lay-offs is that there is currently a deficit in the proposed state budget for 2013-2014.
The Department of Education had created the position of Autism Supervisor when they realized that autism, a spectrum disorder, often presented many challenges for local school districts. They also recognized the need for technical support and guidance in the areas of best practices for professionals and educators in the state and realized it was crucial to the educational success of students on the autism spectrum. Parents, family members, and professionals in the autism field, also advocated very strongly for this position to be created and held by individuals who could offer years of experience and expertise to help serve those affected with autism spectrum disorders in Louisiana.
We, as the Autism Society-Louisiana State Chapter, Inc., and the other local/regional affiliates of the national Autism Society, are strongly urging our families, friends, and supporters to contact the
Senate Education Committee. Those committee members will consider
HB 650 which includes the reorganization of the various divisions of the Louisiana Department of Education. This reorganization eliminates and abolishes the position of Autism Supervisor. The meeting will be held
TOMORROW, May 22, at 1:00 PM, in the John J. Hainkel Jr Room at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
We ask that you include the following talking points in your letters, emails, or during your phone conversations with legislators and others:
* With the rate of autism currently at 1 in 50, what is the justification for eliminating the position of Autism Supervisor at the Louisiana Department of Education?
* How does the LA Department of Education plan to provide technical assistance and support to local school districts and/or information and support to families who contact the Louisiana Department of Education in the future once the position of Autism Supervisor is eliminated?
* Why did the LA Department of Education ELIMINATE the State Autism Team? (The Autism Supervisor coordinated the meetings of the State Autism Team which included representatives of various state agencies serving those with autism and their families, other professionals and parents)?
* Who will coordinate the activities of LASARD (Louisiana Autism and Related Disorders) project, a joint effort between the Louisiana Department of Education and LSUHSC (Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) if there is no sole person at the Department in charge of handling autism-related initiatives?
If we as parents, family members, and supporters do not speak up NOW, there will be NO ONE with any level of expertise at the Louisiana Department of Education who can assist school districts who may need help with students who have autism spectrum disorders, not to mention families who contact the state department to get help and assistance.
We thank you for your time and prompt response to this Action Alert.
For more information or questions concerning this Action Alert, please contact Ms. Pat Giamanco, Administrative Assistant, Autism Society-Louisiana State Chapter, Inc, via phone, 1-800-955-3760, or by
email, or Ms. Donnica Strawder, President of Autism Society Greater New Orleans, via
email. Donnica Strawder is also the Louisiana representative to the Delegate Assembly for the national Autism Society.
Sincerely,
Autism Society-Louisiana State Chapter, Inc.P.O. Box 80162
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
(800) 955-3760, Phone
(225) 757-8890, Fax
Email
