Out of Washington: Senator Calls On Feds To Address Autism Wandering

Update: 2/7/14: Feds Clarify How To Apply For Autism Tracking Devices: 
All families and Provider who can benefit from these services are advised to take advantage of this resource.  Again, we suggest a review and the recommendation for the need of these devices by the Agency's Treatment Team and the Human Rights Committee on an Individual basis. Local Police departments nationwide will be able to make the tracking devices available to children in their communities who are at risk of wandering using money available through the Justice Department’s Byrne grant program, officials at the federal agency said.  Read more>>>

Update: 2/1/14:  Feds To Fund Tracking Devices For Kids With Autism
The Justice Department will make funding available immediately to provide free electronic tracking devices for kids with autism who are at risk of wandering. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that his department has existing grant money that can be used for the technology.
Your local Police or Fire Department should be able to assist to secure this device.  Also the need for the device should be assessed by the Agency's Treatment Team and the Human Rights Committee.   It is pertinent to note that this device is voluntary. In light of the tragic incident in New York, it is better to be safe than...........

Posted: 1/29/14: A rejoinder to " Missing Autistic Child's Remains Found in New York"

Sen. Charles Schumer
In light of the recent tragedy that involved a child with Autism in New York, efforts are being made by our law makers in Washington, DC to prevent this from happening again.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is introducing legislation to allocate $10 million to the Justice Department to create a new program to provide the devices to families wanting help monitoring their children.
This legislation will go along way to assist all caregivers in their community support for their loved ones and for those in our care as service providers. This legislation called "Avonte's Law" will make available through the Department of Justice Fund for tracking devices for our special needs citizens that are prone to wandering. We welcome and support this legislation. Utilization of these devices will be voluntary.  We also recommend the approval of these devices by the human right committee.

Again, we continue to stress the critical importance of 24/7 supervision for those who are prone to wander away form a supervised environment.  This type of supervision is easily possible without violation of privacy and the freedom of movement.

We encourage our providers to take advantage of these services as soon as they are made available.  We at Heritage Behavioral Services will keep everybody informed as soon as information are available for these services. Article in Disability Scoop

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