Our friends at Autism Action Partnership have asked us to encouraging everyone to take a few moments and put on your advocacy hats!    The Autism Action Partnership has been a pivotal force with this Autism Waiver and they are telling us that it appears that we are (once again) receiving some “legislative delays.” 

Please help elevate our voices and remind them that we are still waiting!  There once was a bill known as LB482 that created an autism waiver for early intervention services.  Families across Nebraska rejoiced when it passed!  But they waited and they waited.  It turned out that there were legislative delays that ultimately prevented it’s implementation.  So advocates made changes and then in May of 2009 we passed LB27 to create these much needed services.  And here we are 8 months later and due to “legislative delays” our children are still waiting for their early intervention!

Our loved ones are still waiting without services!

Please consider contacting Kerry Winterer and/or Ben Nelson. We have a sample message written below that you can copy and paste into your email.  Or feel free to write your own message.  But please take a few moments and stand up and be heard!  We also encourage you to have Grandma and Aunt Trudy and Uncle Chester send emails!!!!  We thank you for all that you do!

Information for Mr. Winterer can be found here http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/contact.htm
Information for Mr. Nelson can be found here http://bennelson.senate.gov/email-issues.cfm

Information regarding the waiver can be found here   http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/HCS/Programs/Autism-Waiver.htm and you can download a copy of the final legislative bill here.

(Here is a brief suggested message)

Mr. Winterer/Nelson,

The people of Nebraska need reform for Autism-related services, and you have the opportunity to make this a reality!

As you know, the Autism Treatment Program Act was passed into law in May 2009, yet we stand here in January 2010 without services for our children affected by autism. I urge you to expedite the process of enacting the Autism Waiver to provide real and permanent change to our youth on the autism spectrum. Nebraska deserves better.

Thank you for your action in advance.

Sincerely,

(NAME)
(ORGANIZATION)