Autism Advisory Task Force in California
A notice from California's Department of Managed Health Care about a meeting tomorrow, February 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM:
The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has convened the Autism Advisory Task Force called for in Senate Bill 946 authored by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (Chapter 650, Statutes 2011). The Task Force is charged with developing recommendations regarding medically necessary behavioral health treatment for individuals with autism or pervasive developmental disorder (collectively referred to as “autism”), as well as the appropriate qualifications, training and education for providers of such treatment.
Specifically, the Task Force will focus on:
- Scientifically validated Interventions that have demonstrated clinical efficacy and measurable treatment outcomes
- Patient selection, monitoring and duration of therapy
- Qualifications, training and supervision of providers
- Provider network adequacy
- Requirements that unlicensed providers must meet in order to obtain licensure from the state.
The 18-member Task Force is comprised of a diverse group of researchers, providers, advocates and experts charged with developing recommendations for state policy makers on behavioral health treatment for people with autism. The names and biographies of the Task Force members. The work of the Task Force will be grounded in evidence-based research about interventions that have measurable treatment outcomes.
All Task Force meetings will be open to the public and information about the meetings, including agendas, meeting schedules and informational materials are available on the DMHC’s website.
Members of the public may attend the Task Force meetings in-person or participate by phone by calling the following toll-free phone number: 1-800-309-2350, Conference ID: 288476 (spells AUTISM). The Task Force meetings will be audio-recorded and those recordings will be posted on the DMHC’s website.
The DMHC will submit the Task Force report to the Governor and Legislature by December 31, 2012, at which time the Task Force will disband.
