From the Desk of the President…….

Earlier this month the South Carolina Legislature started their new session and Governor Haley was sworn into office.  They are being greeted with major budget issues in the state. Currently three state agencies are requesting the ability to run a deficit in this current fiscal year of about $280 million. To make matters worse, they are looking at an estimated $1 billion short for the 2011/2012 State budget.

Legislators and the Governor will be looking to make some major cuts in this state. We have already experienced three years of declining budgets, but this year looks worse then before. There are lots of reasons why, but I will not get into those here. Suffice it to say that State revenue will not cover the current level of State obligations.

This of course leads to lots of special interests pushing their cause as the most important ones that should maintain funding. Disability issues are going to be just one voice in this difficult process.

To put things in perspective, DDSN was funded with $40 million that was one-time money that is as of June 30^th, it’s gone; there is no reoccurring source for this revenue. If the Legislature does not replace these funds, DDSN will be forced to make dramatic cuts to services. When you add in the additional Federal matching money, this would be a loss of about $120 million. This level of cuts will leave little more than just residential services. And just filling the $40 million hole doesn’t even address the thousands of people on the for the most part frozen waiting list.

So you need to help your legislators understand the needs of people with autism and other disabilities so that these drastic cuts can be prevented. Now is the time to act!

1. Call your State Senator and your State Representative and talk with them about the services your or your loved ones currently receive. If they currently are not receiving services, let them know the support they will need as both you and they age.
2. Plan on attending Disability Advocacy Day March 2, 2011. It is extremely important that we show a strong support for funding these vital services. Legislators need to seeus in  the galleries and in the lobby. The size of the crowd is noticed!
3. Make an appointment to see your State Senator and State Representative the morning of Disability Advocacy Day. And if you can’t get an appointment, stop by their office and leave them a note. A poster will be provided to you the day of the event for each, so write a note on it and leave it with them.
4. Follow up with them. Ask that they keep you informed on the budget process for DDSN and of their vote on the budget. And be sure to thank them for all they do. Even if you don’t agree with their politics, legislators give a lot of time to the governing of the state for very little pay.
5. Stay involved. Join groups and forums that will help to keep you informed on how the budget process is going and when action is needed. SCAS through our on line forums try to keep families well informed on the issues.

This is going to be a tough budget year. And all of us will need to work together so that we can continue to provide those critical services that provided to people with autism and other disabilities across the state. 

Craig Stoxen
President & CEO

Disability Advocacy Day

Mark your calendars now and plan on attending the 2011 Disability Advocacy Day at the State House – March 2, 2011 at 9:00 am.

Our goals this year is that ever State Senator and State Representative receive a visit from a constituent and that we have an overflowing crowd in the State House upper Lobby, making sure that our presence and concerns are known and heard!

Click here for complete information!

Autism 101 Training

South Carolina Autism Society is proud to be offering Autism 101 for anyone interested in learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorders.  This course will give you information on the varying Autism Spectrum Disorders and include topics related to issues in the school setting and within the home and cover some of the basics on how to get started with enrolling in services for the person with ASD and what happens after the person with ASD ages out of school.  This class is perfect for family members and teachers that are new to Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

All classes are held at the South Carolina Autism Society in West Columbia, SC. 

Here is a list of upcoming dates for the 2011 year:

January 27^thfrom 6-8 pm

April 28^thfrom 6-8 pm

July 28^thfrom 6-8pm

October 27^thfrom 6-8 pm 

The instructor is Alisia Carey.  Click here for registration and to learn more about Ms. Carey.

Strides for Autism

It's time to start planning for Strides for Autism!  Strides is the premier fundraising event to support the mission of the South Carolina Autism Society.  These events include a fun-walk, resource fair, and family-fun activities. 

Strides for Autism events will be held as follows:

Upstate
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Midlands
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Lowcountry
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Grand Strand
Saturday, October 8, 2011

More information and registration are coming soon! 

• Click here to learn about our different levels of Corporate Sponsorship, and to sign up online!
• Click here for more information on becoming an Exhibitor in our Resource Fair, and to sign up online! 

Come out and join us as we take Strides for Autism!

Susan Leiby
864-241-8669

New SCAS Website!

We are happy to announce our new and improved website!   The new site offers streamlined information, and new online resources!  Visit us today at http://www.scautism.org.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.  Click here to email our Webmaster.

Upcoming Events

Visit our website at http://www.scautism.org for information on these and other upcoming events!

January 22      Board of Directors Meeting

January 27      Autism 101 Training

February 2      Coffee Talk

February 4-5   Family Connection Conference

February 12    Sensory Friendly Movies at AMC

March 2           Disability Advocacy Day

March 26         Bordertown BBQ

April 2              Autism Ride for Awareness Poker Run

April 9              Upstate Strides for Autism

April 30            Rolling for Autism Awareness

May 7              Aerospace Professionals Golf Tournament

May 21            Midlands Strides for Autism

Donations & Memberships

Thank you to all our Donors and Sponsors during the 3rd Quarter of 2010.

Click here to view a complete list of 3rd Quarter 2010 Donors.

  Click here to find out how you can become a member!

 Thank you to our 2010 Event Sponsors!

Agru America
Blue Cross Blue Shield
BMW Manufactoring Co.
BP Barber
Carolina Fabricators, Inc
Certified Appraisal Services
Children's Hospital of Greenville
Chipton Ross
Columbia Meats, Inc.
Early Autism Project, Inc
Eastman Chemical
Firewater Grill
Holiday Inn Express - Summerville
Lexington Medical Center
LMC
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Owen Steel
The Phillips Family
PRO-Golf
Richard Ferrente
Specialized Nutritional Support
TALX Corp
Team Therapy SC
The Zvejnieks Foundation
THERMAL TECHnologies
USB Financial Services, Atlanta