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December 2, 2024 | Vol. MMXXVIII | Issue 98 |
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Budget and Appropriations and Autism CARES Act |
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On September 25, Congress passed a 3-month long Continuing Resolution (CR) that extends government funding through December 20—H.R. 9747. Congress is currently working on a plan to fund the federal government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2025, which they will have to accomplish by December 20. |
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Plain Language |
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Congress has passed a bill to keep the government funded through December 20. Now that Congress is back, they need to pass more legislation to keep the government funded before they leave again on December 20. |
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Action Steps |
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You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and educate them on the importance of increasing funding for programs for people with disabilities in FY 2025. |
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The Autism CARES Act |
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On November 22, the Senate unanimously passed the Autism CARES Act of 2024 (H.R. 7213) by voice vote. This bipartisan, bicameral bill is crucial to maintaining and improving the monitoring, training, and research programs throughout the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services focused on children and adults with autism, people with other neurodevelopmental disabilities, and their families.
The reauthorized CARES Act will expand research, increase public awareness and surveillance, and improve the capacity of the interdisciplinary health professional training programs including the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities Programs that support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. The CARES Act is sponsored in the Senate by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Susan Collins (R-ME). In the House of Representatives, the bill is sponsored by the co-chairs of the Autism Caucus, Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX).
The bill that the Senate voted on was originally from the House of Representatives. However, the Senate changed the date for expiration to the CARES Act, so now it has to go back to the House for a final vote. Once the bill passes the House of Representatives, it will go to President Biden for his signature. |
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Plain Language |
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The Senate has passed the Autism CARES Act. The bill will improve research and training focused on people with autism and some other types of developmental disabilities. Now the House needs to vote on the bill again because there were changes. After that, the bill will go to the President. |
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Action Steps |
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Call and educate your Members of House of Representatives on the importance of passing the bill when they return from recess.
You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. AUCD and the Autism Society of America have drafted this policy brief to help in outreach to offices.
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House Committee on Appropriations Holds Hearing on Social Security Administration |
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On November 20, the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley testified about the constraints of stagnant funding at the agency, the progress the agency has made to facilitate and streamline how beneficiaries receive benefits or enroll in benefits, and the work the agency is doing to reduce wait times for disability benefits. |
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Plain Language |
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The committee in the House of Representatives that deals with money for the rest of the government is called the Appropriations Committee. This committee held a hearing where they heard from Martin O’Malley, who is in charge of the Social Security Administration. He talked about the Social Security Administration and how to improve it. |
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Action Steps |
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Watch the hearing. |
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U.S. Department of Education Provides Guidance to Help Support Students Through Functional Behavioral Assessments |
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On November 20, the U.S. Department of Education released guidance to help schools and early childhood programs better support students’ behavioral needs. The guidance, “Using Functional Behavioral Assessments to Create Supportive Learning Environments,” was developed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) and provides examples of practices to support students whose behavior interferes with learning. It provides educators and families with information, tools, and resources to support functional behavioral assessment (FBA) use for students with and without disabilities.
This guidance is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s work to examine and end exclusionary discipline and better understand how peer pressure, poverty, social media, discrimination, and trauma may impact behaviors that interfere with learning in the classroom. As the guidance notes, “when students are removed from their learning environments, students miss critical opportunities to receive the academic and behavior support they need. Exclusionary discipline can have long-lasting negative impacts for students and their parents; and can lead to decreased academic achievement, absenteeism, not finishing high school, increased involvement in the juvenile justice system, and family stress.” |
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Plain Language |
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The U.S. Department of Education wants to help support students who have behavior issues in class and in early education settings. They provided some information and resources to help families and teachers support these students and help to better understand why students act out in class. This information is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s goals to decrease how much students are separated from class. |
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Action Steps |
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National Institutes of Health to Host Town Hall on Strategic Plan for Disability Research |
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On Tuesday, December 3 from 2:30-3:30 PM ET, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will host a town hall as they begin developing the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Research. The strategic plan will “identify scientific themes and develop operational goals and objectives to advance research activities that promote the health and well-being of people with disabilities.” Members of the disability community are encouraged to participate in this step of the planning process. The town hall will include a presentation on NIH disability efforts, a discussion about the planning process, and a Q&A session with the audience. |
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Plain Language |
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The National Institutes of Health is a government agency that is in charge of health and does a lot of research. They are starting to make a plan about disability research that will affect people with disabilities. There is a town hall on December 3 where people can learn more about this plan and ask questions. People with disabilities should participate in this event to make sure their voices are heard. |
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Action Steps |
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Register for the town hall. |
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Register for the White House Office of Public Engagement Aging and Disability Communities Call |
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The White House Office of Public Engagement regularly hosts calls to discuss any federal updates that will affect older adults and people with disabilities. The next call is December 12 at 2:00 PM ET. Register. |
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Check out the latest episode of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All" |
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“Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All” is a YouTube video series highlighting current issues and hot topics in disability policy. Past guests of Tuesdays with Liz include U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, agency officials, AUCD leadership, and key members of the disability community.
Liz Weintraub is AUCD's Senior Advocacy Specialist and the host of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All."
Liz has extensive experience practicing leadership in self-advocacy and has held many board and advisory positions at state and national organizations, including the Council on Quality & Leadership (CQL) and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.
Find the full playlist on YouTube or check out the latest episode featuring Kayla McKeon, Registered Lobbyist and Manager of Grassroots Advocacy at the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). |
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