The Land Grant University for the 21st Century
Washington State University - Agency 365
2009-2011 Operating Budget
Request
Performance Level Decision Package
–Policy Level "AC"
Southwest Washington Autism Center
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Updated Aug 25, 2008
Agency Recommendation
Summary:
A WSU research and clinical center is requested for Southwest Washington in
partnership with Education Services District 112 and healthcare professionals to
identify autistic students in public schools and provide critical intervention
services for both the children and their family.
The center will review and set up school-based programs to determine the
efficacy of interventions in a real-world setting.
It will provide research, consulting, diagnostic, and follow-up services
to support autism spectrum students.
Fiscal Details:
Narrative Justification and Impact Statement:
The number of
school-age students diagnosed with autism or other spectrum disorders in
Southwest Washington has increased several fold during the last few years.
Schools and other community agencies are trying to develop appropriate
interventions for these students, but often lack a good baseline of knowledge
about research based interventions and programs, as well as expertise in their
implementation.
This funding provides four faculty positions to research, analyze, review and
recommend interventions for school-age students with autism spectrum symptoms.
A clinician and medical consultant will provide diagnostic and outreach
services. The equivalent of two
full-time positions will be dedicated to: family interface and case management,
external relations, and workforce and transition services.
Additional funding will provide necessary web and marketing
infrastructure and office support for outreach and information centralization.
Many of the services proposed with
the center in the budget request are consistent with the recommendations of the
governor’s
state task force on autism.
The purpose of the Center is to provide seriously needed autism services to
Southwest Washington. The region lacks appropriate infrastructure to address the
rapidly growing cases and related challenges of autism. Through a partnership
between the University, ESD 112, and healthcare professionals, the Center will
provide educational services and support to children and families with a focus
on being family friendly.
The planning
for this center will engage community stakeholders including WSU Vancouver, ESD
112, the Autism Cadre, the autism center at the University of Washington, local
members of the Governor's autism task force, and area pediatricians.
The center, established at Washington State University
Vancouver will provide:
·
Dedicated faculty research
focused on issues confronting secondary students/families and those advancing to
college—an
area in the current research base that is underdeveloped.
Research-based recommendations will be developed for a
variety of autism spectrum students
·
Partnerships with community and local diagnostic
services to implement better strategies based on research.
·
Dedicated
staff and clinical resources to community
outreach and knowledge dissemination for parents, teachers, community members,
medical community and other stakeholders
Outcomes:
·
There will be more capacity in
Southwest Washington public schools to provide appropriate services to students.
While schools are gradually building capacity, the process will be
greatly accelerated with the center
·
There will additional sharing of
resources and information between institutions and organizations that deal with
autism and related issues
·
There will be more sharing knowledge
between the university and schools
·
A local source for diagnostic
services
·
A possible model for use elsewhere in
the state
Calculations:
For more information, contact Larry Ganders, Assistant to
the WSU President, Olympia, at 360-534-2333
