Autism advocates to visit Leg Hall for Smart Cookie Day April 19

Autism Delaware’s annual visit to Legislative Hall in Dover is known as Smart Cookie Day. The visit offers autism advocates the opportunity to share their personal stories with their elected representatives, hand-deliver cookies in gratitude for past support, and appeal for new legislation designed to improve life for Delawareans on the autism spectrum.

During this year’s Smart Cookie Day Thursday, April 19, three pieces of Delaware legislation will be highlighted: House Bill 292, HB104 and HB12.

HB292 provides a much-needed expansion of resources to teachers supporting students with autism. In 1991, there were 152 students with an educational classification of autism in Delaware’s public schools – today, there are 2,109. HB292 updates critical legal language not addressed since the early ’80s. It also creates a pilot program that recognizes and begins to fund the need for specialized technical assistance and training for teachers in all districts educating students with autism.

During the Smart Cookie Day activities in the House of Representatives, HB292 will be renamed the Alex Eldreth Autism Education Act in honor of Autism Delaware’s public policy and community outreach director, who died the day after Thanksgiving.

HB104 mandates an increase in the rates paid to providers of services for adults with disabilities. The last time these services were fully funded was 2005. Since then, the pay for direct support professionals has not kept pace. As a result, issues arise around attracting qualified DSPs, and the turnover rate is high. HB104 will raise the rates to more appropriate levels gradually over three years.

HB12 earmarks state funding for basic special education for students in kindergarten through third grade. Currently, intensive and complex special education is being funded for these grades, but the basic special-education funding runs only from fourth to 12th grade. Promoting basic special-education needs and earlier identification is expected to reduce costs over the long term. If HB12 is enacted, funding for K–3 special education will be phased in gradually over four years.

For more information, go to www.AutismDelaware.org or contact Autism Delaware Family Services Director Annalisa Ekbladh at 302-224-6020, Ext. 218, or Annalisa.Ekbladh@delautism.org.