Life Without Services After High School?

Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director

Dateline NBC, which usually only brings a story about murder, this month brought us a very sad story of families with young adults with autism in states with no services. It was a very sad piece to watch (Click here if you’d like to watch). The services that are available in states like New York are isolating and limited. For us in California, this Dateline special should invoked a gratitude practice. We are the only state in the union that has an entitlement and it is cradle to grave (meaning for one’s entire life). People do not age out of service when they leave the school district. They begin with the Regional Center and continue to receive services outside the school until they are 22, at which time they return to the Regional Center for the full range of services following their graduation. It also means that families and adults have an absolute right to services and there is no waiting in lines for months for support.

This however did not come about without a tremendous amount of hard work on behalf of the families who advocated for the passage of the Lanterman Act.

We must continue to advocate and stay vigilant for budget cuts that will compromise services. We must continue to advocate for the necessary increases for vendors to be able to provide their services with rising labor costs.

And of course we must keep ourselves educated as Self-Determination rolls out many new possibilities. Don’t forget that every 2nd Tuesday of the month, the Westside Regoinal Cetner offers a free sessions about the updates on Self-Determination. Contact your RC coordinator for information.

So to be short sweet and to the point. What can you do to make sure you can keep having these services available to your family and families of the future? When we send you something telling you that it is urgent to contact your state and federal Congressman or Senators do not wait to pass go and collect $200, just do it! Have these numbers on your contact list so that it is easier for you to forward information or contact their offices. Add your names to the mailing list for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Area Board 10, the Autism Society of Los Angeles, and any other influences that may reach out to you. Click here to ask us about resources.

Be grateful every day for what we have, be mindful of how you can keep it in place and please please take action when needed. Thank you for your continued support.