Hearing addresses coordination of services
for youth with autism, behavior disorders
Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and behavioral problems often don’t receive the care they need because of the way the care delivery system in New York State is set up.
Different departments, such as the Department of Health, Office of Mental Health, Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Office of Child and Family Services, Juvenile Justice System and the State Education Department often don’t—and can’t—coordinate services. Instead of getting appropriate care at the right time, affected youth are getting passed among various mental health, health, social services and educational systems.
Youth with dual diagnoses (such as a mental health disorder and a developmental disability including autism spectrum disorders) who require services from two agencies often receive services from only one because of the way the system is structured.
How to improve the delivery of care was the topic of a hearing held Dec. 9 at Erie Community College South Campus. It was hosted by State Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder, chair of the New York State Assembly Subcommittee on Autism.
The moderator was Steven Dubovsky, M.D., of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Department of Psychiatry. He credited Mark Smith, Managed Care director at New Directions Youth and Family Services, with organizing the process that led to the hearing.
Legislation is being drafted to address the issue of coordination of care.
A second focus of the proposed legislation would create a “passport” system so that medical records and other records could quickly move with the child from one service provider to another in order to reduce delays.
A third focus would require general education teachers as well as special education teachers to have training in autism spectrum disorders.
Another hearing will be held Dec. 18 in Albany.
Other panelists at the Dec. 9 hearing were Michael Cummings, M.D., of the Erie County Medical Center Corp.; Stephen Anderson, Ph.D., of Summit Educational Resources; Tara Karoleski, MSCRC, LMHC, of the Erie County Department of Mental Health; Kristy D’Angelo, LMHC, of Crisis Services, Inc.; Max Donatelli of Baker-Victory Services; Carl Letson of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and Christine Hoff, president of the Parent-Child Connection.
More information on the topic is available at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/engage/childrens_plan.pdf
Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder, left, chair of the New York State Assembly Subcommittee on Autism, speaks at a hearing Dec. 9 on the Erie Community College South Campus to discuss ways to help children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and behavioral disorders get the help they need. Panelists included, from left, Stephen Anderson, Ph.D., of Summit Educational Resources (partially obscured by the microphone); Max Donatelli of Baker-Victory Services; Kristy D’Angelo, LMHC, of Crisis Services, Inc.; Michael Cummings, M.D., of the Erie County Medical Center Corp.; Christine Hoff, president of the Parent-Child Connection; Mark Smith, Managed Care director at New Directions Youth and Family Services; Tara Karoleski, MSCRC, LMHC, of the Erie County Department of Mental Health, and Carl Letson of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Posted Dec. 10, 2008
