CDC Summit-ASD/DD Mini-grant

Project Details

Project Context:
Over the past six years, collaborating entities in Utah have engaged in statewide efforts to identify and address the needs regarding ASD/DD services and supports. Through these efforts, a statewide ASD Planning Team was convened and developed the Utah ASD/DD State Plan.

In March of 2009, the CDC, MCHB, and the AUCD sponsored an Act Early Summit that resulted in a more in-depth analysis of the current ASD support and service needs in the state. The State Plan was amended to reflect the additional needs identified and activities were developed to address them. This Plan will be reviewed periodically and updated by the ASD Planning Team.

Since the Act Early Summit, committed professionals and families have continued to make progress in the early identification, assessment, and coordination of service systems for children with ASD and related DD and their families.

Further work is needed to insure that the Utah ASD/DD State Plan is implemented and successful in addressing the needs of children with ASD and their families.

Project Focus:
The ASD/DD Mini-grant includes the following collaborating partners: 1) Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment (URLEND) at the CPD; 2) Utah Family Voices; 3) Utah Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Bureau; 4) the Autism Council of Utah (ACU), and 5) the Utah Office of Education.

These State Team members are committed to accomplishing the following activities to further strengthen public awareness and early identification of ASD in Utah.

1. Conduct a statewide public opinion poll assessing the awareness and knowledge of Utah residents regarding autism. The results of this poll will be the basis for the development of a 2-year plan for public awareness activities throughout the state.
2. Conduct a one-and-a-half day meeting, involving the ASD State Planning Team and other partners, to design a 2-year statewide public awareness campaign that will include all critical elements identified.
3. Contract with Dan Jones & Associates in 2014 to conduct another survey to determine the changes in public opinion during the 3+ year period.

Partner agencies will be part of the planning process and will be committed to the adoption and implementation of the plan in the state of Utah. The Autism Council of Utah will assume the leadership position in ensuring that the state team members review and revise the plan on at least an annual basis.

FY 2010 Focus:
Mid-January - March 1, 2010: Baseline data will be obtained through the formal survey and results tabulated.
April, 2010: State ASD Meeting will be held and a 2-year public awareness campaign will be developed.