-I am on the Spectrum (Asperger's Syndrome).
-I have mentored those on and off the Spectrum. - Justin Houcek has been mentoring my son who has autism for over
a year. There has been a significant improvement in my son’s behavior
since Justin entered his life. Justin is very knowledgeable on how the
autistic mind works and the emotions that go with it. He is very
sympathetic and caring. Because of Justin, I have also learned and
understand my son better and can manage his behavior better.
Anna D. 5/12/2022
-I am an Ambassador for the
Invisible Disabilities® Association http://justin.idaambassador.org http://justin.giveida.orgor Text "IDAJUSTIN" to 44321
-I have over 100 hours of volunteering at an equine therapy establishment that provides therapy to those with all types of disabilities.
-I was a BCAT ( Board Certified Autism Technician). ABA and SCERTS.
Legislation Advocation: Advocating (contacting Illinois House Representatives, State Senators and Governor) for Illinois legislation regarding those on the Autism Spectrum and those with Invisible Disabilities
-Illinois SB1575 https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB1575/2021
Summary: Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall create and maintain an online database and resource page on its website. Provides that the database and resource page shall contain mental health resources specifically geared toward first responders with the goal of connecting those persons with mental health resources related to crisis services, wellness, trauma information, nutrition, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and substance use and of encouraging information sharing among families of first responders, first responder organizations, first responder professional organizations, and first responders. Effective immediately. Signed by Governor Pritzker and is now a public act.
- Illinois HB4365
https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB4365/2021
Summary: Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Allows a student's (instead of child's) individualized education program (IEP) team to determine whether the special education program of a school district is unable to meet the needs of a child with a disability. Provides that the financial responsibility and reimbursement of the resident district of a child with a disability applies to emergency placements in nonpublic special education facilities that are not approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that a school district may place a student in a nonpublic special education facility providing educational services within the facility, but not approved by the State Board of Education, under specified circumstances. Removes provisions that provide that a school district has no obligation to pay a residential facility unless and until specified proof is provided to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education. Removes provisions that provide that if the State Board of Education denies approval in writing or does not respond to a facility's or resident district's request for approval within 10 days after the request is submitted to the State Board of Education, the matter shall be referred to the Community and Residential Services Authority, which shall make the determination and notify the facility or resident district and the State Board of Education within 10 days after the Authority receives the referral. Provides that emergency placement in an approved facility may continue so long as (i) the student's IEP team determines annually that such placement continues to be appropriate to meet the student's needs and (ii) at least every 3 years following the student's placement, the IEP team reviews appropriate placements approved by the State Board of Education. Removes changes to provisions concerning placement in a residential facility and payment of educational costs and provisions concerning the Community and Residential Services Authority. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Governor approved and HB4365 is now a public act
.https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB4365/2021
-Illinois SB4006
https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/SB4006/2021
Summary: Amends the Autism Spectrum Disorders Reporting Act. Provides that, by no later than December 31 of each year, covering the State fiscal year immediately preceding that date, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly regarding access to applied behavior analysis therapy for persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Requires the report to include specified information. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and distribute education and outreach materials, developed to address common literacy levels, that will inform and educate parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who are enrolled in Medicaid and eligible to receive relevant services and explain how to access those services.
