ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CLEARS BILL TO CREATE AN ADVOCATE FOR AUTISTIC NEW JERSEYANS

Part of Second Wave of Autism Support Measures Would Establish the Office of the Advocate for Persons with Autism

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee today released legislation Assembly members Joan Voss, Vincent Prieto and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. sponsored to establish an Office of the Advocate for Persons with Autism (OAPA).

The measure is part of the second wave of landmark autism support measures introduced in February that complement the historic seven-bill autism awareness package Assembly Speaker Roberts championed into law last session.

"We must continue to clear the way to enable families to better face autism by pairing them with the educational, health, and support services that they desperately need," said Roberts (D-Camden).  "Our efforts can drastically improve the quality of life for families living with autism while promoting better understanding and support for residents facing this complex disorder."

"We must give a voice to the thousands of families of autistic New Jerseyans who are not always aware of the services available to them," said Voss (D-Essex), whose son has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism.  "This advocate will help to better protect the rights of the growing autistic community and ensure that families and loved ones do not face this baffling disorder alone."

The measure (A-2256) would establish an advocate for autistic New Jerseyans within the state Division of Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled in the Department of the Public Advocate.

"By establishing an advocate dedicated to the concerns of the autistic community, New Jersey would be making the well-being of its autistic residents a top priority," said Prieto (D-Hudson).  "Our efforts could help families struggling to care for a loved one with autism find services to vastly improve the quality of their lives.  We must continue to proactively reach out and help New Jersey families struggling to tackle this complex disorder."

Among its responsibilities, the OAPA office would:

• Provide leadership within the autism community in New Jersey;
• Work with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services to promote policies that support the integration of autistic residents into the community;
• Assist families that have a loved one with autism streamline needed services provided by multiple agencies of government;
• Promote greater awareness and education among the general public concerning the characteristics and needs of individuals with autism;
• Assist in the development of support networks for families with a loved one with autism through public and private entities; and
• Work with the business community to facilitate the accommodation of individuals with autism and their families in public places.

The committee released the measure by a vote of 10 to 0.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker who decides when and if to post it for a floor vote.

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