HR 6282 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To increase housing, awareness, and navigation demonstration services (HANDS) for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

June 17, 2008CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. GRANGER (for herself, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, and Mr. HINOJOSA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To increase housing, awareness, and navigation demonstration services (HANDS) for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Helping Housing, Awareness, and Navigation Demonstration Services for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders Act of 2008’ or the ‘Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2008’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--AUTISM NAVIGATOR PROGRAMCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. AUTISM NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.

Part R of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 399DD the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 399DD-1. AUTISM NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.

‘(a) Authorization of Grant Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Education, shall establish a demonstration grant program to award grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop an autism navigator program to create a more efficient, effective, coordinated use of the health, housing, education, and social service systems for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- In this section, the term ‘eligible entity’ means an entity that has--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) not less than 2 years experience serving the autism community in an advocacy or service capacity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) a--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) behaviorist with at least a master’s degree on staff or in a consultation capacity who has experience in applied behavioral analysis;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) Board Certified Behavior Analyst on staff;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) special educator with training in autism spectrum disorders on staff;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(IV) rehabilitation professional with training in autism spectrum disorders on staff; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(V) master’s level professional with training in autism spectrum disorders on staff.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Secretary’S DETERMINATION- Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may determine who qualifies as an eligible entity under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Application for a Grant-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible entity that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner and form, and containing such information, agreements, and assurances as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) OUTREACH SERVICES- An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain an assurance that the applicant will provide ongoing outreach activities while receiving a grant under this section, in a manner that is culturally competent for the population served, to inform the public and the specific community that the autism navigator is serving, of the services under the grant.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Development of Autism Navigator Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AUTISM NAVIGATORS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall determine the functions of autism navigators under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) TYPES OF FUNCTIONS- The functions of an autism navigator under this section may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) with respect to an individual with an autism spectrum disorder and such individual’s family--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) coordinating and scheduling appointments and referrals, community outreach, assistance with transportation, housing or education arrangements, and assistance with insurance issues and other barriers to care;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) case management and psychosocial assessment and care or information and referral to such services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) contact and care coordination of health care, including psychosocial assessment and care, and other community services, provider referrals, financial support and service coordination, including transportation, housing, and education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(IV) determining coverage under health insurance and health plans for all services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(V) aiding with health insurance coverage issues; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(VI) ensuring the initiation, continuation, or sustained access to care prescribed by the individual’s health care providers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) facilitating partnerships within the health care and advocacy community to assist outreach to the underserved autism community;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) notifying individuals and their families as to autism clinical trials and, on request, facilitating enrollment of eligible individuals;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) anticipating, identifying, and helping individuals with an autism spectrum disorder overcome barriers in accessing and securing appropriate services in a timely manner;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) coordinating with State departments responsible for human services, education, health and senior services, housing, community affairs, and labor in providing services to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and their families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vi) identifying caregiver supports for those caring for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, including mentoring, support groups, community resources, and legal consultation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vii) identifying, mentoring, and supporting culturally sensitive caregivers of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(viii) serving as a reliable, expert resource for advice, support, and direction to access early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), health insurance (public or private), housing programs, financial security programs, Medicare services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and Medicaid services under title XIX of the Social Security Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall develop an autism navigator program that will recruit, employ, train, assign, and supervise autism navigators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DURATION OF GRANTS- A grant provided under this section shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) for a period of not more than 5 years; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) subject to annual approval by the Secretary and subject to the availability of appropriations for the fiscal year involved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) NO LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF GRANTS- Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the number of grants that may be made to an eligible entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) OUTREACH- An autism navigator program developed under paragraph (2) shall reach out to appropriate doctor’s offices and treatment centers to encourage such doctors and centers to refer individuals with an autism spectrum disorder to such program, which will offer autism navigation services described in this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) TRAINING AND PREPARATION- An autism navigator program developed under paragraph (2) shall train and prepare autism navigators as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Autism navigators shall have direct knowledge of the communities they serve and provide services to such communities in a culturally competent manner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Autism navigators shall be informed about health insurance systems and other community services, and be able to aid individuals in resolving access issues.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Autism navigators shall have direct knowledge of the unique needs of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and the current evidence-based practices that are available to such individuals through Federal programs and in the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) MANAGING CARE- An autism navigator program developed under paragraph (2) shall assign autism navigators, in accordance with applicable criteria of the Secretary, for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) managing the care of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) assisting such individuals and families with navigating the life service continuum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) CENTRALIZED ACCESS- An autism navigator program developed under paragraph (2) shall provide centralized access for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder to multiple Federal and State activities and programs related to autism spectrum disorders, including such activities and programs carried out by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the Administration for Children and Families;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the Department of Health and Human Services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) the Health Resources and Services Administration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) the National Institutes of Health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) the National Institute of Mental Health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(J) the Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(K) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(L) the Department of Education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(M) the Department of Labor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) DATA COLLECTION AND REPORT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Each recipient of a grant under this section shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) collect specific autism data that records navigation services provided to each individual served by the autism navigator program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) establish and implement procedures and protocols, consistent with applicable Federal and State laws, to ensure the confidentiality of all information shared by a participant in the program, the participant’s personal representative, and the participant’s health care providers, group health plans, or health insurance insurers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION- A recipient of a grant under this section may, consistent with applicable Federal and State confidentiality laws, collect, use, or disclose aggregate information that is not individually identifiable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) REPORT- Each recipient of a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) summarizes and analyzes the data collected under subparagraph (A)(i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) provides information on needs for navigation services, types of access difficulties resolved, sources of repeated resolution, and flaws in the system of access, including insurance barriers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Evaluations- The Secretary shall provide, directly or through grants or contracts, for evaluations to determine the effects of the services of autism navigators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Coordination With Other Programs- The Secretary shall coordinate the demonstration grant program authorized under this section with programs authorized under the Children’s Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-310), the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-416), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), the Medicaid home- and community-based service waivers program under section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, title XIX of the Social Security Act, and other appropriate programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed to require payment for navigation services or to require payment for other services in cases where such other services are provided free of charge.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--AUTISM AWARENESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. TRAINING OF FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE RECOGNITION OF AUTISM.

(a) Development of Curriculum- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop, demonstrate, and disseminate a standard curriculum for the training of first responders in assisting individuals (and their families) with autism and other cognitive behavioral disabilities during potential and actual emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Training Grants- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall award grants to States and local governments to train first responders (including the police, fire departments, emergency medical technicians, and other paid or volunteer first responders) in providing assistance to individuals with autism and other cognitive impairments in potential and actual emergency situations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Requirement- Training carried out under this section shall inform first responders of the risks associated with autism and other cognitive behavioral disabilities, as well as provide instruction in appropriate autism recognition and response techniques.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--HOME OF THEIR OWNCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 301. HOME OF THEIR OWN.

(a) Task Force- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall convene a task force comprised of appropriate national and State autism advocacy groups, recipients of funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing for adults with an autism spectrum disorder, and community-based organizations that serve adults with an autism spectrum disorder.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment of Grant Program- The task force described in subsection (a) shall establish a housing demonstration grant program to award grants to entities (including States, localities, public and private partnerships, and community nonprofit and for-profit organizations) to enable such entities to provide a housing program for adults with an autism spectrum disorder, with the goal of providing individualized housing and services to such adults.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink