Calendar of Commission Meetings and Meeting Materials

Autism Commission Events 2013

Autism Commission Report Release Event, March 27th, 2013, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM in the Gardner Auditorium of the State House, Boston, Mass. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or are a person with a disability who requires accommodation, please contact Faith Behum by March 20th at 617-770-7676 ext.107 or at Faith.behum@state.ma.us.

Schedule for Commission Meetings

In the event of inclement weather, please check www.mass.gov. If state offices are closed then the Autism Commission meeting will be canceled. Last minute concerns should be directed to faith.behum@state.ma.us.

• October 25, 2010
• December 20, 2010
• January 24, 2011
• February 28, 2011
• March 28, 2011
• April 25, 2011
• May 23, 2011
• June 13, 2011
• July 18, 2011
• August 15, 2011
• August 29, 2011
• September 19, 2011
  This meeting has been rescheduled to October 3, 2011 from 3PM to 5PM at the Shriver Center, 200 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452
• October 3, 2011
• October 18, 2011
  This meeting has been rescheduled to October 24, 2011 from 3PM to 5PM at the Shriver Center, 200 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452
• October 24, 2011
• November 21, 2011
• February 27, 2012 at the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, 1150 Hancock Street, Third Floor, Suite 300, Quincy, MA 02169
• March 26, 2012 on the 21st Floor of the McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA
• April 30, 2012 at the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, 1150 Hancock Street, Third Floor, Suite 300, Quincy, MA 02169
• May 21, 2012 at the State House, Room 437, Boston, MA
• August 28th, 2012 on the 21st Floor of the McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA
• September 24, 2012 on the 21st Floor of the McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA
• October 23, 2012 on the 21st Floor of the McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA
• January 28, 2013 on the 21st Floor of the McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA

All meetings will be held from 3 PM to 5 PM.

Meeting Agenda and Materials 2013

January 28, 2013

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from October 2012 Meeting
3. Presentation of the Final Autism Commission report: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
   • Legislation that has been filed
   • Budget line items relevant to the final report
   • Advocacy strategy
4. The Autism Commission Moving Forward
5. Adjournment

Meeting Agenda and Materials 2012

October 23, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L'Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from September 2012 Meeting
3. Review documents sent to Commission members prior to October 23, 2012 meeting.
4. Citizen Commission Member feedback
   • All citizen Commission members present or calling in will be encouraged to discuss their thoughts on recent Commission documents.
5. Next Steps
6. Adjournment

September 24, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from August 2012 Meeting
3. Status of final report
   • Review Commission Members’ edits on Commission document
4. Next Steps
5. Adjournment

August 28, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from May 2012 Meeting
3. New timeline for report
4. Review of Final Report Progress
   • New document structure
   • Connecting state agency reports to Commission findings
5. Adjournment

May 21, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from April 2012 Meeting
3. Review of Writing Group Progress
4. Adjournment

April 30, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from March 2012 Meeting
3. MassHealth presentation on the Group Adult Foster Care services available to individuals with autism
4. Vignette response update
5. Review of Writing Group Progress
6. Adjournment

March 26, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from February 27th meeting
3. Discussion of Writing Group Progress as of March 26th, 2012
   • Outline developed by the writing group for the final report will be reviewed.
   • Edited vignette form will be discussed including what languages members would like the form to be translated into, when the form should be made available to the public and the due date for completed forms.
4. Review of Second Draft of Problem Statements
   • Members will be asked to voice any concerns with the second draft of problem statements.
5. Adjournment

February 27, 2012

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
2. Approval of Minutes from November 21, 2011 meeting
3. Commission Discussion on Proposed Process for Development of the Report
4. Discussion of Writing Group Progress as of February 27th, 2012
5. Adjournment

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Meeting Agenda and Materials 2011

To request a copy of meeting minutes, contact Faith Behum at Faith.Behum@state.ma.us

November 21, 2011

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien
   • Please note, meetings have been scheduled for January 18th and January 30th. Both will take place from 3PM to 5PM on the 21st Floor of the McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA

Approval of Minutes from October 24, 2011 meeting

1. Discussion of Writing Group Progress as of November 21, 2011
   • The Writing Group’s outline will be displayed and discussed in detail.
   • The updated Vision statement and its proposed Guiding Principles, Goals, Problem Statements and Environmental Conditions will be discussed and members will be asked to give feedback on these.
   • Edits from the previous meeting have been incorporated into the “Accessibility of Services” problem statements and will be presented to members.
   • Progress made on the “Coordination of Services” problem statements will be presented. Members will be asked for feedback on these statements.
2. Adjournment

October 24th, 2011

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien

   • Progress made by the Writing Group will be summarized by the Chairperson, Barbara L’Italien.
2. Approval of Minutes from October 3rd, 2011 meeting

3. Discussion of the Outline and Vision statement developed by the Writing Group

   • Members of the Commission will be asked to provide feedback on the Outline and Vision statement developed by the writing group.
4. Review and accept problem statements developed by the Writing Group.
5. Adjournment

October 3, 2011

Agenda

3 – 3:15: Welcome & Overview of the Meeting: Chairperson Barbara L’Italien

Review of Commission Schedule & Plans for Completion of the Report:

• October 20: submission of next draft to Commission for review
  - “vision” statement and overarching goals for each area of discussion of proposed action steps for each goal area
• MEETING - October 24:
  oreview & endorsement of “vision” statement and overarching goals for each priority area
  - discussion of action steps
• November 16: submission of sections of the draft report to Commission for review
• MEETING - November 21:
  - continued discussion of the action steps
• December 14: submission of next draft to Commission for review
• MEETING - December 19:
  ofinal review & discussion of the report draft
• January 16: final report submitted to Commissioners
• MEETING - January (Date to be Determined):
  - approval of final report

Approval of Minutes for August meeting

3:15 – 4:15: Goals & Priorities Exercise/Discussion
- final endorsement of general goal areas and related priorities & recommendations

4:15 – 4:45:Brainstorming on Vision Statement & Goal Statements for Each Area

4:45 – 5:00:Discussion of a Proposal on the Sustainability of the Commission

Adjournment

August 29th, 20ll

Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the meeting: Chairperson Barbara L'Italien
2. Approval of the Minutes for July & August meetings
3. Sub-Committee Reports
4. Review of the Priorities Identified in the Working Session, August 15, 2011
5. Small Group Exercise
6. Small Group Report Out & Discussion of Next Steps
7. Adjournment

August 15, 2011
Working Session

10:00 - 10:20: Welcome: Chairperson Barbara L'Italien

• Introductions
• Review of Objectives for the Working Session
• Other Business

10:20 - 10:30: Review of Agenda & Process for Today's Session
Jay Kaufman, Executive Director, Program in Leadership & Public Life, Northeastern University, School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs

10:30 - 11:15: Small Group Exercise

11:15 - 11:45: Group Discussion & Feedback

11:45 - Noon: Summary by Facilitator

Noon - 12:30 Break; Lunch provided

12:30 - 1:30 Full Group Exercise

1:30 - 1:45 Summary by Facilitator

1:45 - 2:00: Closing Remarks/Next Steps - Barbara L'Italien

Evaluation forms will be distributed, please complete them & give back to Faith Behum before you leave today. Thank you.

REMINDER: Next Commission Meeting: August 29th, 3 -5 pm.

July 18, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome and Overview of meeting: Chairperson Barbara L'Italien
2. Approval of the Minutes for June 13, 2011
3. Updates from Subcommittees
4. Commission Discussion: Survey Results, Identified Issues and Next Steps
5. Audience Feedback on Commission Discussion
6. Adjournment

June 13, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the meeting: Chairperson Barbara L'Italien.
2. Approval of the Minutes for May 23, 2011.
3. Updates from Subcommittees.
4. Commission Discussion on Identified Issues and Next Steps
   The Commission discussed the document A Summary of Key Issues/Recommendations/Action Steps given to all Commissioners before the meeting. This document was created based on the discussions the Autism Commission had since October and is in no way a final product.
   A Summary of Key Issues/Recommendations/Action Steps (DOC)  .
5. Audience Feedback on Commission Discussion.
   Catherine Boyle from Autism Housing Pathways presented on her working document, Statement of Shared Principles. This document was created by Catherine Boyle based on the input she received through a Facebook group dedicated to finding shared principles in the autism community. It is a separate activity from the Commission's work. This is not a Commission document; it has been prepared and shared by a constituent for the Commission's information only.
   Statement of Shared Principles (DOC) 
6. Adjournment.

May 23, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the meeting
2. Approval of the Minutes for April 25th
3. Presentation on "Autism Insurance in Massachusetts (ARICA) - the first 100 days" by Amy Weinstock, Director, Autism Insurance Resource Center, The Shriver Center
   Weinstock ARICA Presentation for the Autism Commission (PPT)  file size 2MB
   ARICA Factsheet Autism Insurance Resource Center (PDF) 
4. Commission Discussion on Presentation
5. Commission Discussion on Identified Issues and Next Steps
6. Audience Feedback on Commission Discussion
7. Adjournment

April 25, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the meeting
2. Approval of the Minutes for March 28, 2011
3. Presentation on Improving the Commonwealth's Services for Children & Families: Marilyn Chase, Assistant Secretary, Children, Youth and Families EOHHS
4. Updates from the Subcommittees & Commission Feedback
5. Presentation on Children's Behavioral Health Initiative: Emily Sherwood, Director of Children's Behavioral Health Interagency Initiatives, EOHHS
   • CBHI Presentation Autism Commission Meeting 4.25.2011 (PPT)  file size 1MB 2MB | RTF 
6. Commission Discussion
7. Adjournment

March 28, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the meeting
2. Approval of the Minutes for February 28, 2011
3. Issues in Behavioral Health: Ann M. Neumeyer, MD, Medical Director, Lurie Family Autism Center / LADDERS
   • Commission Member Respondents:
   • Karen Levine
   • Rita Gardner
   • Susan Loring
   • Dan Rosenn
   • Dr. Ann M. Neumeyer Presentation 3.28.2011 (PPT)  file size 1MB
4. Commission Discussion
5. Updates from the Subcommittees & Commission Feedback
6. Summary & Adjournment

February 28, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome & Overview of the Meeting
2. Minutes Review & Approval
3. Presentation on Services for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Enrolled in Public Community College Campuses
   • Shelley Tinkham, Director for Academic, K-16 and Veterans Policy, Dept. of Higher Education
   • Wayne Burton, President, North Shore Community College
   • Molly Boyle, Institute for Community Inclusion
4. Commission Discussion of Higher Education Presentation
5. Presentation by the Sub-committee Chairs
   • Birth - 5 Subcommitte (PPT) 
   • School Age Subcommittee (PPT)  file size 2MB
   • Transition Age Subcommittee (PPT) 
   • Adult Services Subcommittee (PPT) 
6. Commission Discussion on Goals for its Work
7. Adjournment

January 24, 2011
Agenda

1. Welcome
2. Minutes review & approval
3. Agency Presentations - Adult Services (hyperlink to each of these PPT presentations)
   1. Department of Mental Health:
      Laurie Hutcheson, Assistant Commissioner, Quality Management & Policy
      Department of Mental Health (PPT) 
   2. Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission:
      Charles Carr, Commissioner
      Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (PPT) 
   3. Executive Office of Elder Affairs, MassHealth Office of Long Term Care:
      Lisa McDowell, Director of Institutional, Residential, and Day Programs
      Office of Long Term Care (PPT) 
   4. Department of Developmental Services:
      Janet George, Asst. Commissioner, Policy Planning & Children's Services
      Department of Developmental Services - Adult Services (PPT) 
4. Commission Member Discussion on Presentations
5. Discussion on the Work of the Commission & the Subcommittees:
6. Wrap Up & Adjournment

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Meeting Agenda and Materials 2010

December 20, 2010
Agenda

• Welcome: Rep. Barbara L'Italien, Chair of the Commission
• Introductions of the Commissioners
• Overview of services and supports for children on the autism spectrum and their families :
  • Department of Public Health, Early Intervention:
    Ron Benham, Director, Bureau of Family Health & Nutrition
  • Tracy Osbahr, Director, Office of Specialty Service
    Department of Public Health, Early Intervention: (PPT)  Division of Early Education & Care
  • Evelyn Nellum, Policy Analyst, Special Education
    Division of Early Education & Care (PPT)  Department of Elementary & Secondary Education:
  • Marcia Mittnacht, State Director of Special Education
    Department of Elementary & Secondary Education: (PPT)  Department of Children & Families:
  • Jan Nisenbaum, Deputy Commissioner for Clinical & Program Services
    Department of Children & Families: (PPT)  Department of Developmental Services:
  • Janet George, Asst. Commissioner, Policy Planning & Children's Services
    Department of Developmental Services: (PPT) 

• Commission Discussion
• Stakeholder Feedback & Questions
• Next Steps - Introduction of Subcommittees: Rep. Barbara L'Italien
• Adjournment

Stakeholder Meeting - October 25, 2010
Agenda

• Welcome: Rep. Barbara L'Italien, Chair of the Commission
• Introduction of all Legislators and State Agency designees serving on the Commission
• Overview of services and supports currently provided by the State : Assistant Secretary Jean McGuire, Exec. Office of Health & Human Services, Office of Disability Policies & Programs
  Autism Services in Massachusetts (PPT) 
• Overview of the Mission, Structure & Work of the Commission : Representative Barbara L'Italien
• Stakeholder Feedback
• Adjournment

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This information is provided by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.