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1253 Building Bridges Between First Responders and Individuals with Autism ~ Appropriate Preparedness

Friday, July 15, 2005: 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

204 (Nashville Convention Center)

Information will be supplied to attendees on how to start networking coalitions within their communities when resources may be limited to do so. Grassroots options, as well as federally funded pilots via grants, will be discussed and examples supplied of different avenues to allow for success by family members. The purpose of this presentation is to provide family members supporting individuals with autism the ability to provide a bridge and means of communication between them, their loved ones, and the first responder communities. The resources provided will allow for obtaining information and resources and little expense and will also provide avenues for first responder agencies to be provided funding for personnel training.

Examples given will include sample letters, a tool kit to open a line of communication, as well as suggestions on how to address local community leaders to provide appropriations to allow for trainings. The session will also allow for families, and individuals with autism, examples of current national initiatives and successful programs that they can take back to their communities so they too will not have to "re-invent the wheel" to provide an educational awareness program as well as an appropriate response guide.

Our hope in providing this session is to allow communities with varying degrees of resources access to provide community relationships between individuals with autism and their first responders. In doing so we believe that many areas of independent community living will be supported and expectations will be known by both responding professionals and individuals with autism and their families that they will be serving.

Brief outline of presentation material.

Introduction A. History of First Responder Training B. Previous & Existing Relationships Between First Responders and Members of the Disability Community C. Unfortunate Situations and Lack of Appropriate Services

II. Initiative for Change A. ADA District Court Decision, Liability Issues B. Recent Court Decisions Regarding Requirements of Training C. President Bush's 2004 Executive Order to provide Emergency Preparedness Training for Emergency Responders to best assist individuals with disabilities.

III. Current Available Programming A. MPEOTC Training programs B. Memphis Model C. State/National Initiatives D. Department of Justice Programs/Grant Offerings C. O.V.C. Programs and Resources E. Grassroots Efforts, Autism Training Model

IV. Additional Changes Needed A. Accurate Methods of Data Collection B. Appropriate Advocacy for Both Civil Rights and Criminal Matters C. Better Preparedness Programs for Individuals with Autism, family members, and care providers. D. Community Awareness of Victimization and Abuse Issues a. Segregation vs Community Based Living b. Unrepresented and Limited Assistance Programs for Victims c. Judicial Sector Training

V. Future Programs and Training A. Mandated First Responder Training B. Jail Diversion Programs a. Community Awareness/Education b. Juvenile Justice Initiatives C. Supportive Resources and Networking

VI. Summary A. The Next Step....One Person Can Make a Difference. B. Question and Answer Session

Content Area: Family and Sibling Support

Presenters:

Carolyn A. Gammicchia
Police Officer and Founder or L.E.A.N. On Us
L.E.A.N. On Us, The Law Enforcement Awareness Network

A law enforcement officer with over 18 years in the field, Carolyn has a thirteen year-old son with autism. She founded the L.E.A.N. On Us organization in 2002 while participating in the Partners in Policymaking program. Has provided training for first responders, family members, educators, and individuals with autism on "Appropriate Response ~Appropriate Preparedness" programs for the past five years.

Andrew W. Gammicchia
Police Officer and Co-founder of L.E.A.N. On Us
L.E.A.N. On Us, The Law Enforcement Awareness Network

A law enforcement officer with over 19 years in the field, Andrew is the co-founder of the LEAN On Us organization. He and Carolyn have two boys, the youngest has autism. Andrew has assisted in the past five years in the education of both first responders, and those within the community whose lives are affected by autism, to allow for a better deleivery of services to individuals with autism.

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