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Council News

July 1, 2005:
Governor Schwarzenegger has issued an Executive Order directing all state agencies to utilize their best efforts to recruit, hire and advance employees with disabilities. He further directs all state agencies to annually review their hiring practices and identify barriers to the employment of individuals with disabilities.

June 3, 2005:
Council grant funding has enabled the creation of the California Statewide Program Locator, part of the HOME (Home Ownership Made Easy) Program. For this online directory and other valuable housing information, we encourage you to visit the HOME Website.

May 31, 2005:
The Memorial Day weekend is considered the beginning of the Summer Recreation Season. Drowning is a leading cause of death in California for children under the age of five, and near-drowning accidents can result in a lifetime disability. During the months of May through October, DDS and the Drowning Prevention Foundation will raise awareness on this issue, and remind parents and caregivers that "kids aren't drownproof!" View Governor Schwarzenegger's Letter on Drowning Prevention and the DDS Drowning Prevention Page for more important information.

January 13, 2005:
Information about the Governor's Proposed 2005-2006 State Budget and the Agnews Developmental Center Closure Plan has been posted to the DDS website.

May 7, 2004:
The Little Hoover Commission, has released "Real Lives, Real Reforms: Improving Health and Human Services". The Report is a result of a year-long study and contains recommendations on fundamentally restructuring the health and human services system in California. The Report is available to order or download on the Real Lives, Real Reforms web page. In addition to the Full 148 page Report, the page contains links to the 19-page Executive Summary, Press Release, and agendas and written testimony from public hearings on the topic.

February 11, 2004:
There's a new online resource for working with a disability in California. Disability Benefits 101 is a project of the World Institute on Disability, and provides updated and accurate information on health coverage, benefits and employment programs in California.

September 26, 2003:
The Family Resource Centers Network of California has recently been awarded a sixteen-month Planning Grant under the Administration on Developmental Disabilities Family Support program. The goal of this project is to build the capacity of an existing network of family-to-family resource centers (FRCs) so that they can (1) offer more community-based, culturally competent information, education, and peer support to families throughout the state, and (2) partner more effectively with other family support agencies and service providers.

For this Planning Project, the Family Resource Centers Network Steering Committee will assess needs, review resources, and develop coordination tools and structures so that the state’s 55 State Department of Developmental Services Family Resource Centers and the FRC Network can better meet the needs of consumers and families throughout California. Products to be developed include: a summary report of needs expressed by internal and external stakeholders; an overview report describing the current services of FRCs; standardized data collection and evaluation tools and procedures; and a Strategic Plan.

Support for Families of Children with Disabilities in San Francisco will act as lead and fiscal agent for this project.

December 12, 2002:
The US Department of Transportation has just announced a web site for individuals with disabilities to submit comments on transportation services for individuals with disabilities. The current Transportation for Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) is set to expire September 30, 2003 and Congress is seeking input as they develop replacement legislation. The web site is www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization

November 7, 2002:
The California Department of Developmental Services has just published Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment, the product of nearly a year's work by experts in the field of autistic spectrum disorders. Based on validated scientific evidence, clinical experience and clinical judgment, the Guidelines provides professionals, policymakers, parents and other stakeholders with detailed "best practice" recommendations and rationale for screening, evaluating and assessing individuals suspected of having autistic spectrum disorders.

In late 2001, the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment funded national technical assistance centers designed to assist the workforce development community to address the issues affecting the employment of people with disabilities. The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth has launched a new website to provide information and assistance.

The Federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) has posted Coping With Disaster: Suggestions for Helping Children With Cognitive Disabilities on its website. This excellent resource not only provides useful suggestions for parents and others, but includes links to other resources.