Autism Commission plans to meet report deadline

On April 2, 2009, members of the newly formed Autism Commission met for the second time in as many months since the Commonwealth Autism Act of 2008 became law.

The commission chairperson, Vince Merfalen, himself a parent of a child with autism, set the commission’s activities into motion with an immediate call to organize action teams.

These teams, said Merfalen, shall deploy into the different areas of the community to gather information; identify specific needs, issues, gaps in programs and services; evaluate possible solutions; and make recommendations for improvement.

With concurrence from a majority of its members, Merfalen insists that the commission produce a preliminary report to be widely disseminated throughout the CNMI as early as May this year.

The law requires the commission to develop a final, more comprehensive report no later than August 2010.

“Our implied tasks should include status or update reports to all relevant agencies in the CNMI throughout the initial 18-month life-span of the Commission,” Merfalen said.

In February 2009, with aggressive support from various members of the community, particularly parents of children with autism, the Autism Act was passed and the multi-member commission was created to develop a comprehensive plan for services to individuals of all ages with autism.

Specifically, the commission is tasked to explore options for and answer questions relating to:

(1) providing state-of-the-art clinical services;

(2) increasing capacity for services through training;

(3) increasing knowledge and awareness about autism in the community; and

(4) conducting research aimed at improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

In general, commission members share the mutual belief that input is essential and that without it, the panel would miss valuable insight and key elements for achieving its goals and objectives.

“As such, the commission welcomes any and all input from all members of the community and asks that anyone interested in offering insight to please call the Council on Developmental Disabilities at 664-7000 or the Northern Marianas Protection Advocacy Systems, Inc. or contact via the Internet at www.cnmicdd.com or www.nmpasi.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]