This article originally ran June 25, 2009 on nj.com
More than 200 advocates, leaders and parents in the autism community gathered at The North Ward Center to begin the process of developing "The Blueprint for Lifetime Support for Families and Persons with Autism."
The day-long summit was organized by Autism New Jersey, the state's leading autism advocacy group since 1965, in conjunction with The North Ward Center, a non-profit organization that has been providing quality services to the underserved population in Greater Newark for 40 years. The North Ward Center anticipates opening The Center for Autism in the fall of 2011.
Gov. Corzine, who attended the June 20 summit, indicated his strong support for improving services to New Jersey's autism community.
"Our children with autism, our adults with autism, for people who have those needs, we need to stand in solidarity," Corzine told the crowd.
The summit is part of Autism New Jersey's Listening Tour. Since early March, 100 volunteers have been conducting face-to-face interviews with service providers, advocates, self-advocates, professionals, families and people with autism to identify the hopes and wishes of the autism community for a comprehensive system of lifespan services.
During the summit, data from the interviews, coupled with the interviewers' expertise and knowledge and policy makers' input, helped to begin forming the basis of a collaborative and constructive dialogue that will create the blueprint. Participants helped to develop key elements of the blueprint.
"At a time when New Jersey is experiencing its toughest battles, this is an amazing opportunity for hope, collaboration and creative thinking for individuals and families to affect the direction of Autism New Jersey and leaders in the state," said Dr. Linda Meyer, Executive Director of Autism New Jersey. "Ultimately, the blueprint will have a profound and positive impact on New Jersey's autism community for years to come."
Meyer said Autism New Jersey chose to partner with The North Ward Center because the advocacy group wanted to reach the underserved urban population, which often does not have access to the same level of services as those in the suburbs.
Adubato, who worked for 16 years at New Jersey Regional Day School in Newark, said urban parents need to be a part of the conversation.
"Our parents in urban areas may have different needs than people in the suburbs," said Adubato, who was the vice principal at Regional Day School until September, when she joined The North Ward Center. "They often face financial obstacles, language barriers and transportation issues that make getting services for their children very difficult."
The Center for Autism will be developed with the urban parent in mind, Adubato said.
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center, said the summit was a perfect opportunity to highlight The Center for Autism.
"The summit only confirmed the need for the type of center that we are developing," Davis said. "With the strong support of the autism community, we feel the center will be a great success and provide much-needed services to the urban community."
During the summit, a ceremony honored lawmakers who have been strong proponents of autism legislation as well as several parents, including a mother from Irvington.
Sens. Teresa Ruiz, Loretta Weinberg, Assemblywomen Grace Spencer, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Assemblyman Albert Coutinho attended the event as well as Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos attended the summit.
Corzine gave an award to Kim Williams, 53, of Irvington, N.J. whose 18-year old daughter, Tahira, has autism, for her work advocating on behalf of other parents.
"I've always wanted to be an advocate for other parents," said Williams, who has worked for the Internal Revenue Service for more than 28 years and currently works in the IRS's Equal Employment Opportunity office in Springfield as a responsible accommodation coordinator.
"Unless you are very determined and persistent, you are not going to get any of these services," Williams said. "A lot of parents aren't able to maneuver through the system. These parents need people to speak up for them. That's a commitment that I have."
Williams said her advocacy started when she tried to enroll her daughter at NJ Regional Day School when her daughter began having behavioral problems at another school.
"They were constantly calling me at work to get Tahira," Williams said. "Regional Day School assured me they wouldn't call me. If it wasn't for Regional Day School, I would have lost my mind."
Other parents with children with autism said they found the summit a perfect setting to get their views across.
"The event brought an acute urban need into alignment with Autism New Jersey's mission - Newark, NJ's largest city, is taking a huge step in providing vital, quality services to its autism community with Autism New Jersey's enthusiastic assistance," said Bob Titus, who has an adult son with autism." All in attendance agreed: what is most important is the progress and quality of life for children and adults with autism and their families."
Hope Arvanitis contributed to this report.
