| Alabama Autism Task Force Birmingham 2008 |
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Cam Ward State Representative- District 49
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2008 For More Information, contact: www.camward.com (205) 664-1066 (205) 566-6746
ALABAMA AUTISM TASK FORCE TO RELEASE RECOMMENDATIONS AT BIRMINGHAM MEETING ON JANUARY 23RD
The Alabama Autism Task Force will meet in Birmingham on January 23, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Hill Center Alumni Auditorium located on University Boulevard.
The Alabama Autism Task Force, created by an act of the Alabama Legislature, is charged with bringing recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for the 2008 Regular Session regarding autism and mapping out a plan on how to help those families who have loved ones on the Autism Spectrum. The task force has been meeting at autism treatment centers, universities and public schools throughout the state to raise awareness and collect public input on ways to improve autism services in Alabama.
So far, the Autism Task Force has held more than two dozen meetings to develop its suggestions for the next legislative session. Recent meetings have taken place in Montgomery, Huntsville, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Spanish Fort, and Birmingham. A comprehensive needs assessment study was recently completed by the task force and will be presented at this meeting. In addition to the findings in the needs assessment, the task force will vote on some recommendations that will be presented to the legislature in February.
At the Birmingham meeting on January 23, the Task Force will hold a public hearing where Autism support groups, non-profit organizations providing Autism services, and parents from the Birmingham area will have the opportunity to speak about issues facing Autism in Alabama. Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr., who co-sponsored the original resolution creating the task force will make the opening address to the meeting. Several other local and state officials will also be on hand to hear from the organizations pushing for autism service improvements in Alabama and also hear about the legislative agenda for autism in the upcoming legislative session.
For more information on the work of the Alabama Autism Task Force, please visit www.camward.com or www.autism-alabama.org.
### Autism Society of Alabama |