August
2000 Newsletter
Corvallis
PDD/Autism Support Group
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August
2000 Newsletter |
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August 20, 2000 Hi, I hope this letter finds you and your family well. In my on-going effort to keep you informed on the latest events pertaining to autism, I am sending the enclosed packet of information. For those who don't remember, about 5 years ago many families met with State Senator Cliff Trow to have an informal chat about autism, our kids, and the issues they face daily. this led, in part, to him and other lawmakers passing a Senate Bill 765 which required a task force be formed to look at autism and the issues surrounding it - particularly education. The Autism Task Force has recently published their final report. You may obtain a copy by calling Marilyn Genes, head of the Autism Department with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Her number is: (503)378-3598 ext. 653. You may also find a version online at: http://www.ode.state.or.us/sped/spedareas/autism/autismtaskforce.htm Because myself and others are still not satisfied that this report and its recommendations is not enough to help our kids, we have been very busy this past month meeting weekly with Nancy Vanderpool (Autism Society of Oregon Board Member), State Senator Cliff Trow, Representative Lane Shetterly, and local District Representative Candidates Debra Ringold, Kelley Wirth, and Marilyn Slizesk. Our two main special projects are:
The Corvallis School District Presentation is scheduled September 6, 2000 at 7pm at the Corvallis School District Office next to the Western View Middle School. Please come and show your support. Corvallis has a new Special Education Director - Kim Finch. We will be meeting with her and the District's 504 representative, Ron Corbel. In addition, the Autism Task Force's report will be presented to the state Senate and House in September. This is open to the public and we are greatly encouraged to come and show our numbers. As I understand it from the powers to be, if we do not speak up, those who decide our children's future will figure we don't care! I know, I know. You are very busy and very tired. I should know - so am I. However, on the enclosed flier I have provided ways for your voice to be heard. Please, speak out. This is a critical turning point here in Oregon for people who have Autism Spectrum Disorders. I cannot stress that enough. If you cannot attend, there is a way for your voice to be heard. Send your message, story, concerns, and/or comments to:
If:
Speak up! If you are worried about your child's future, please say something. Those in power need to hear why families whose children have Autism Spectrum Disorders are moving out of Oregon, or home schooling their kids, or why kids go to private school, or why families have to seek legal action to get what their kids need. We have the opportunity to provide our lawmakers and governor with feedback on what our kids need. Let's seize this opportunity and speak out on our kid's behalf! REMINDER: The Autism Society of Oregon's Annual Meeting is Saturday, September 9th (see enclosed flier). I hope you can make it. Last, but not least I have been asked to remind you the CASCADE REGIONAL SERVICES (which historically provided Autism Specialists' "consultative" services to our kids) has been reabsorbed into the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Educational Service District (LBL- ESD) still located in Albany. The Autism Specialists have been distributed to the schools and Early Intervention Departments. LBL- ESD will not replace Lila Kuykendall, the former Director of Cascade Regional Autism Center. Lila has been moved to Benton County and now is the Director of Early Intervention. LBL- ESD has located Autism Services under Cindy Pedersen located in the Albany ESD building. Her email address is cindy_pedersen@lblesd.k12.or.us, her phone number is 967-8822 or 812-2600. Well, I guess that's all the news for now. I hope I see you in Salem for the House and Senate meetings, at the School District meeting, and at the ASO Annual Meeting all in September. Take care and call me sometime and let me know how things are going! MaryJo Weaver
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Inclusion of information about Autism organizations, providers, publications, services, programs and products on our web site does NOT constitute any agreement, sponsorship, endorsement or warranty of any kind by the Corvallis Autism Support Group. We offer this information as a helpful resource tool to families and professionals. |
