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Governor Officially Announces
Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders
September 18, 2008
From the Missouri Governor's Website:
Link to Governor's Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY -
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's office today officially announced his appointments to the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The
newly forming statewide commission is a result of a recommendation from the Missouri Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism, appointed by President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate Mike Gibbons in 2007.
Link to Senator Gibbons Autism Panel announcement
Establishing a
state autism commission was Recommendation #1 of the
Blue Ribbon Panel's report. Senate Bill 768, which established the ASD Commission, was sponsored by Senator Scott Rupp, who served as
chairman of the Missouri Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism.
Link to Blue Ribbon Panel Report
Link to the Autism Commission Bill (SB 768)
The ASD Commission is tasked with developing a statewide plan to help Missourians facing the challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
The commission will make preliminary recommendations by July 1, 2009, as specified in statute, and has a tentative first meeting date of October 22, 2008 in Jefferson City.
Governor Blunt appointed the following to serve on the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders:
(Family and ASD individual representation listed first):
Dr. David P. Crowe: Cape Girardeau, orthodontist and president of The Tailor Institute
Tiffany L. Daniels: Nixa, state alternate on the Missouri Advisory Committee on Autism for the Missouri Autism Projects.
Julie R. Keathley: Dexter
Christopher A. Norton: Jefferson City, Missouri State Library, Missouri Secretary of State
Anne M. Roux: Ballwin, speech pathologist / executive director of Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment, is also a parent of a child on the autism spectrum
(Other representatives from itemized categories per SB 768):
Paula F. Baker: Joplin, CEO of the Ozark Center
Janet E. Farmer: Columbia, founding director of the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Sarah A. Feldmiller: Kansas City, coordinator and lead therapist at ABCn'D Autism Center
Connie L. Hebert: Cape Girardeau, interim director of the Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Michele G. Kilo: Kansas City, chief of Section of Developmental & Behavioral Sciences at Children's Mercy Hospital
Dr. John F. Mantovani: Clayton, vice chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at St. John's Mercy Medical Center
Vicki L. McCarrell: Pilot Grove, executive director of Unlimited Opportunities, Inc.
Donald J. McCary: St. Peters, director of special education from the St. Louis Special School District
Two members who will serve on the new ASD Commission also served on the Missouri Blue Ribbon Panel on Autism.
Senator Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville, recently appointed by Senate Leader Mike Gibbons, R-KIrkwood.
Heidi Atkins Lieberman, Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Special Education for the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.
Other General Assembly and state agency designees include:
Senator Jeff Smith (D-St. Louis)
Representative Dwight Scharnhorst (R-Manchester)
Representative Sue Schoemehl (R-St. Louis)
Bernie Simons: Dept. of Mental Health, Director of MRDD Division
Gary Harbison: Dept. Health & Senior Services, Bureau of Special Health Care Needs
Sandy Rempe: Dept. of Public Safety, Public Safety Manager
Robert Stein: Dept. of Higher Education, Commissioner (Heather Fabian named as backup)
Dr. Ian McCaslin: Dept. of Social Services, Director of MO HealthNet
Molly White: Department of Insurance, insurance regulatory manager and health care specialist for the Missouri Department of Insurance.
Appointee Anne Roux, who fills a professional slot through her background as a speech pathologist, brings a unique blend of professional and personal experience to the Commission, as the executive director of Mo-FEAT and a parent. She offered this comment: "Timely access to evaluations and intervention; readily available resources and supports; and meaningful, individualized opportunities for community inclusion will be vital objectives for this commission to address."
Julie Keathley, parent appointee, is the widow of Mike Keathley, former Director of the Office of Administration, who will be remembered as a true champion for autism initiatives in Missouri. Mrs. Keathley had these words to share: "Our health care providers and educators should know exactly what to do if they think they may have a child on the spectrum. This is currently not the case."
For followup information regarding the Missouri Commission on ASD, watch for Missouri Autism Coaltion email updates or visit the website!
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| About Missouri Autism Coalition
The Missouri Autism Coalition is an alliance focused on uniting all autism-related organization and service providers. We are a non-compete coalition, dedicated to bringing these groups together in support of common goals. The Missouri Autism Coalition does not intend to replace or overshadow any existing groups, favor any autism-related topic or group over another, or endorse any specific political agenda or candidate.
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MAIL: Missouri Autism Coalition
P.O. Box 1431
Jefferson City, MO 65102
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Missouri Autism Coalition
EMAIL: missouriautism@gmail.com
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