The population of California’s adults with autism severe enough to be included in the Regional Center system is exploding: the current RC adult autism population (14,000) will double in the next five years and triple in the next ten (to 42,000). In spite of the staggering numbers, almost nothing is being done to address the intensive program, service, or housing needs of these dependent and disabled young adults as they age out of the school system. Service providers are going out of business, waitlists are growing, housing options are nonexistent, and families are panicked. In Santa Clara County, for example, for every one RC client with autism in 1990, there are more than 21 today, in other words, a 2,100% increase.
This conference is an info-packed, fast-paced event to inform Bay Area autism/DD community members of some existing options for adult–serving day programs, supported employment, and housing; to network parents with each other and with professionals; and to inspire the Bay Area autism/DD community toward action to expand and improve options for our rapidly growing population of young adults with autism and related developmental disorders,
We expect more than 50 speakers and 400 attendees.
Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins allowed.
Tentative Schedule:
(subject to change)
8-8:30am Registration and coffee
8:30-8:45am “Love and Panic: How Will We Care for and House 100,000 Dependent Adults with Autism in California?”
Jill Escher, president, Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area
8:45-9am “Aging Out: A Story that Needs to Be Told”
Craig Young and Melissa Collins-Porter, producers of “Aging Out” documentary
9-10am Panel: “The Crisis in Adult Autism Services”
[Moderator: Beth Burt, president Autism Society of California]
Legislators, regional center directors and service providers discuss the crisis in funding, staffing, caseloads and waitlists, and more. Includes Q&A.
10-10:15am Break
10:15-10:30am “The Individual Program Plan (IPP) Under Fire; Three Things Every Parent and Conservator Must Know”
Barbara Maizie, executive director, Arc of Contra Costa County
10:30-11:15am Showcase 1: “A Sampler of Autism-Serving Day Programs”
[Moderator Kym Luqman, Harambee Kinship Center]
Harambee • Hope Services • Friends of Children with Special Needs •
Abilities United • Community Gatepath • Morgan Autism Center • Paradigm • ARC SF
11:15am-12:15pm Showcase 2: “Creativity in Employment for Adults with Autism”
[Moderator: Sandi Soliday, Alameda Developmental Disabilities Council]
Extraordinary Ventures • Community Life Services • Community Gatepath • Project Search • One Step Beyond • Arc SF
Training, life-readiness, and transition programs:
Meristem • CIP • Moving Forward • Evolibri • AspenNet • Shire House
12:15-1:15pm Lunch and breakout groups
1:15-2pm Keynote: “Why We Need More Autism Housing Options, and Fast”
Amy S.F. Lutz, journalist, mother of a son with severe autism, housing advocate based in Pennsylvania, and author of “Who Decides Where Autistic Adults Live?” in The Atlantic
2-3pm Showcase 3: “Autism/DD-Serving Housing Projects and Concepts in the Bay Area”
[Moderator: Barry Benda, Brilliant Corners]
Lanterman Housing Alliance • Sunflower Hill • Big Wave • Sweetwater Spectrum • Friends of Children with Special Needs • Life Services Alternatives • Housing Choices Coalition • Rident Park • Costanoa Commons • Let’s Buy the Farm
3-3:15pm Break
3:15-3:35pm “What Matters Most: Your Support Staff“
David Grady, SCDD • Marianne Sullivan, Autism Speaks • Doug Pascover, Imagine Supported Living Services
3:35-4:30pm “Thinking Outside the Box”
[Moderator: Jackie Forsythe, regional director, Autism Speaks]
• “Legacy Homes” Carol Turner, Bay Area Housing Corporation. Barry Benda, Brilliant Corners
• “Can Health Insurance Help Fund Adult Services?” Feda Almaliti and Karen Fessel, Autism Health Insurance
• “Can the Self-Determination Program Open New Program Options for Regional Center Adults with Autism?” Gabriel Rogin, SCDD (with parent speaker)
• “Envisioning Autism/DD Housing as a Hospitality Business”
Christopher Zubiate, Everwell Health
4:30pm Closing remarks and action items
4:30-5pm Meet and greet