Published: 11-09-07
Austin Texas -- Sen. Florence Shapiro R-District 8 this week encourages autism service providers to submit grant applications through a new program she helped develop with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). The new grant program will be available to autism service providers to provide high quality services including Applied Behavioral Analysis for children with autism. This pilot project will call for providers to detail how to best provide services for these children.
"This pilot project is only a small step and no parents of children with autism should think the battle is over. It has only just begun." Shapiro said. "But hopefully this will be the first of many positive steps for Texas as we strive to provide appropriate support for this growing population of children."
If parents know of a high-quality or innovative autism services provider that uses a variety of services including Applied Behavioral Analysis they should encourage the provider to contact DARS at dars.autismprogram@dars.state.tx.us or to check the DARS website at http://www.dars.state.tx.us/business/grants.shtml after the Request for Applications is released on November 15 2007.
While only between one and five providers will be selected it is important that DARS receives a large number of quality applicants to ensure that the pilot program moves forward with the most innovative options available.
As many people will remember finding successful solutions and options for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder was a huge priority for Sen. Shapiro last session with her attempts to pass Senate Bill 1000 which would have given parents of children with autism greater access and control over how their children were educated. Unfortunately the Legislature was unable to pass that legislation but this program is one small step in the right direction toward helping these families.
"I would like to thank Governor Perry and the staff at DARS for the assistance in bringing this program to fruition" Shapiro said. "Most of all I would like to thank the parents for their tireless efforts on behalf of their children."
