PDF Sunset Public Hearing Questions for Tennessee Council on ...

Sunset Public Hearing Questions for Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder Created by Section 4-3-2711, Tennessee Code Annotated

(Sunset termination June 2019)

1. Please provide a brief overview of the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder, including information about the council's creation, statutory duties, administrative attachment, and staff.

The Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder was created by Representative Williams HB384 and Senator Overbey SB199 and signed into law by Governor Haslam on April 5th, 2017. (A copy of the Bill and summary addition is attached.) The Council is under the administration of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD). Patricia Edmiston, DIDD's Director of Developmental Disability Services, is the DIDD staff liaison to the Council.

The purpose of this Council is to establish a comprehensive statewide long-term plan for a system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. The Council shall make recommendations and provide leadership in program development regarding matters concerning all levels of autism spectrum disorder services, including, but not limited to, health care, education, and other adult, adolescent, and children's services.

2. Provide a list of council members and describe how membership complies with Section 43-2711, Tennessee Code Annotated. Are there any vacancies on the council? If yes, what is being done to fill those vacancies?

There are 18 members of the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder; each member was nominated from a Tennessee not-for-profit organization that provides supports and services to individuals with autism and their families.

There are no vacancies on the Council at this time. The current Council members:

Governor Haslam's appointments for individuals on the autism spectrum or their family members:

West TN Region: (term July 2017 ? June 2019) Jenness Roth (family member): Memphis, Son is 32 Iseashia Thomas (family member): Memphis, Daughter is 6 and brother is 30 Mary Ellen Chase (family member): Memphis, Son is 31

Middle TN Region: (term July 2017 ? June 2020) Quentin Humberd, M.D. (family member and veteran) * Council CHAIR: Cunningham, Nephew is 34 Beth Malow, M.D. (family member): Nashville, Sons are 20 and 17 Emelyne Bingham (self-advocate): Nashville

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East TN Region: (term July 2017 ? June 2021) William "Will" Edwards (family member): Knoxville, Son is 5 Michael Collins (family member): Kodak, Son is 16 Roddey Coe (family member and veteran): Ooltewah, Son is 12

State of Tennessee Department designees:

Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Jeanine Miller, Ph.D., SPE-HSP, Director of Policy, Division of Policy and Innovation

Department of Health: Carolina Clark, MD, MPH, Child Health Medical Consultant

Department of Education: Alison Gauld, Behavior and Low Incidence Disabilities Coordinator, Division of Special Population and Student Support

Department of Human Services: Ginger Day, Autism Spectrum Coordinator for the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna

Department of Commerce and Insurance: Lorrie Brouse, Deputy Commissioner

Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Matt Yancey, Assistant Commissioner

Division of TennCare: Vaughn Frigon, MD, Medical Director

Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities: Wanda Willis, Executive Director

Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth: Rose Naccarato, KIDS COUNT and Resource Mapping Director (family member)

3. How many times did the council meet in the last two fiscal years? How many members were present at each meeting?

The Council has been in existence since April 5, 2017 and has met five times: October 4th, 2017: Members present: 18 out of 18 January 23, 2018: Members present: 18 out of 18 April 24th, 2018: Members present: 16 out of 18 July 24th, 2018: Members present: 16 out of 18 October 30th, 2018: Members present: 15 out of 18

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4. What per diem or travel reimbursement do council members receive? How much was paid to council members in the last two fiscal years?

Per T.C.A. 4-3-2711(g), Council members do not receive a per diem or travel reimbursement for serving on the Council.

5. What were the council's revenues and expenditures for the last two fiscal years?

The Council has had no expenditures or revenue for the last two fiscal years.

6. Is the council subject to Sunshine law requirements (Section 8-44-101 et seq., Tennessee Code Annotated) for public notice of meetings, prompt and full recording of minutes, and public access to minutes?

Yes.

7. What policies does the council have in place to address potential conflicts of interest by council members, staff, and employees?

Each Council member is required to sign the DIDD Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Statement for Committees and Councils.

8. What were the major accomplishments of the council during the last two fiscal years? Specifically, what steps has the council taken to address the responsibilities outlined in Section 4-3-2711(h)(1) through (7), Tennessee Code Annotated.

The Council has been in existence since April 5, 2017. During this time all required members were appointed to the Council as outlined in #2 above. The council has held four meetings and has established four working committees each to address an identified issue or need facing individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

The Council members worked with the DIDD Director of Communications to develop a webpage, attached to the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities website, for the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder. This webpage provides statewide resources for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

9. What reports does the council prepare on its operations, activities, and accomplishments, and who receives those reports? If available, please attach copies of recent reports.

The Council is not required by statute to prepare a report. However, all agendas and meeting minutes are posted on the Tennessee Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder webpage attached to the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities website.

10. Does the council have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations? If rules and regulations have been promulgated, please cite the reference.

The Council does not have the authority to promulgated rules and regulations.

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11. Describe any items related to the council that require legislative attention and your proposed legislative changes. There have been no identified items related to the Council that require legislative attention and/or proposed legislative changes at this time.

12. Should the council be continued? To what extent and in what ways would the absence of the council endanger the public health, safety or welfare of Tennessee citizens? Yes, the Council should be continued. The creation of this council has been long desired by people with autism spectrum disorder and their families, as well as advocacy groups across the State. The Council provides a voice for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families and per the legislative mandate creates an avenue to make recommendations regarding matters concerning all levels of autism spectrum disorder services, including, but not limited to, health care, education, and other adult, adolescent, and children's services.

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