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Bianca Ramirez has attended every Texas Advocacy Day since it began in 2017. On Monday, March 31, 2025, Bianca was one of 180 experienced and new advocates who joined the Autism Society of Texas for this year’s event to make their voices heard at the state capitol on issues that impact people with Autism. The day began with a morning training by guest speakers on key legislative issues and protocols for meeting with state representatives and staff in the afternoon. Attendees included individuals with Autism, family members, and community advocates as well as Autism Society of Texas staff and volunteers.
Bianca is a social worker and mother of a 12-year-old son with Autism. She became a social worker because she wanted to help others and make a difference. She loves clinical work, but has a passion for advocacy. After her son was born, Bianca had difficulty finding childcare and other resources for him, sometimes because of his level of need but often because the services he needed didn’t exist. Her response was to learn all she could about disability laws and rights so that she could become an effective advocate, not just for her son, but for everyone with a disability.
Bianca knows first-hand how lonely and excluded families of people with disabilities can feel. “This is why Advocacy Day is so important,” she said. “All parents need to share their story to make legislators understand how big the issues are. Every single individual and family advocating at Advocacy Day has a story that is unique and needs to be heard. Yes, our stories are similar, but no two are exactly the same. Some advocates may have issues like healthcare while others may have challenges with education or employment. Our voices are stronger together, especially when we unite and take action through advocacy and activism.”
At this year’s Advocacy Day, Bianca led a group that included several first-time advocates for face-to-face visits with legislators or their staff. “They were nervous at first,” Bianca said, “but by the end of the visits, they were pros and left feeling empowered.” All of the legislative staff they spoke with were receptive to their stories and empathized with how school vouchers and other issues would impact people with disabilities.
Bianca cautions that it is important to remember advocacy, especially at the public policy level, is a marathon, not a sprint. “I can recall one point in time,” she shared, “when we were advocating for ABA therapy to be covered by Medicaid. It took years of hard work and advocacy. One legislator told me it was a good idea but that, realistically, it would never pass.” In 2019, a bill did pass, though, and Texas Medicaid began paying for medically necessary ABA therapy in 2022.
Discouragement doesn’t stop Bianca or dim her hope. “Together, we are a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “We are representing thousands of people when we testify for bills and speak with legislators. We are giving a voice to those who cannot be there. There will be times we may not win, but there will be times we do win or at least move forward. We need to celebrate our victories and remind ourselves of the progress we have made as advocates.”
To support Autism Society of Texas’ work, including our advocacy efforts and training events like Texas Autism Advocacy Day, you can make a donation now by clicking here.
March was a very busy month for Autism Society of Texas, connecting with individuals at multiple events across Texas!
We’ve been hard at work fighting for our community at the Capitol all month. Our board member, Rachel Cannon testified against school vouchers and was waiting until 1 AM at the Capitol, as well as was interviewed by Toni Waterman from CGTN America about the Department of Education (DOE) cuts and how this potential shutdown of the DOE could negatively impact Autistic children. Watch the news story now here.
We rounded out our advocacy work with our Texas Autism Advocacy Day (see photos from the event on our Facebook). Over 200 people joined us to learn about how to advocate for themselves and our community and then made office visits to put their learning into practice!
A big thank you to our Board member, Heather Reed, who represented the Autism Society of Texas at The Destination…. Life Conference! The event helps Central Texas families prepare and support their students with disabilities for life beyond high school.
Learn about event logistics and what to expect at Advocacy Day!
Register for Texas Autism Advocacy Day here: https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Austin/TexasAutismAdvocacyDay
Subscribe to Texas Legislative Advocacy Alerts and Hearing information: https://tinyurl.com/ASTadvocacy
Subscribe to Autism Society of America’s alerts & newsletter for Federal Issues! Action Alerts: https://www.votervoice.net/AutismSociety/home
Check out our online Advocacy Training Resources-this presentation will be there too! https://www.texasautismsociety.org/advocacy/advocacy101/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2025
Advocates Call on Texas Legislature to Make a Bold Investment in Special Education Press Conference to be Held at Texas Capitol on March 19 (House Press Room, CAP 2W.6)
AUSTIN, TX – Parents, educators, students, and disability advocates from across Texas will gather at the Texas State Capitol on Wednesday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m., to urge lawmakers to take bold action and invest in special education funding. Texas has the resources and the opportunity this session to transform its special education system, ensuring that every child has access to the services and supports they need to succeed.
“For too long, Texas has shortchanged students with disabilities, forcing families to fight for basic services and leaving school districts struggling to provide the education all children deserve,” said Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy for The Arc of Texas. “This session, we have a chance to change that. By investing in special education, Texas can fulfill its promise to students with disabilities and ensure they have the resources to thrive.”
Texas currently underfunds special education by $1.7 billion per year, putting immense financial strain on schools as they strive to serve all students to the best of their ability. Many districts are forced to divert general education funds to cover special education costs. Advocates are calling for the Texas Legislature to act with courage and commitment by fully funding special education, starting with closing the $1.7 billion annual state funding shortfall.
“This is our moment to lead,” said Dr. Andrea Chevalier, Director of Governmental Relations with the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education. “A fully funded special education system is not just an investment in our children—it is an investment in Texas’ future. Our state has the power to create real change this session, and we are calling on lawmakers to seize this opportunity.”
The press conference is hosted by State Representative Mary González, who is Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and was a member of the Texas Commission on Special Education Funding.
The press conference will take place at the Texas State Capitol House Press Room 2W.6 and will feature speakers from leading advocacy organizations and families sharing personal stories about the urgent need for increased special education funding.
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MEDIA ADVISORY WHO:
STATEWIDE DISABILITY ADVOCATES:
The press conference is co-hosted by The Arc of Texas, Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, The Autism Society of Texas, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Texas Parent to Parent, Texas Dyslexia Coalition, and Texans for Special Education Reform.
WHAT:
A press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to fully fund special education and close the $1.7 billion annual state funding shortfall. Speakers will highlight the barriers students with disabilities face due to chronic underfunding and the urgent need for legislative action this session.
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Texas State Capitol, House Press Room, CAP 2W.6
WHY:
Texas has not updated its special education funding formula in decades, leaving schools and students struggling to keep up with growing needs. The funding shortfall has reached $1.7 billion, forcing districts to divert funds from general education and putting a strain on programming for all students. Advocates will outline why now is the time for bold action and emphasize that a fully funded special education system benefits all Texas students.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
Speakers will be available for photos and interviews immediately following the press conference.
CONTACT:
Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo
Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, The Arc of Texas sgonzalezsaucedo@thearcoftexas.org | 512-485-9755
A note from Autism Society of Texas —
Want to help advocate for improved Special Education Funding? Join us at Texas Autism Advocacy Day on 3/31 at the Texas State Capitol. Registration & information here: https://runsignup.com/autismadvocacyday2025
Job Description: El Paso | Community Engagement Coordinator
Job Title: Community Engagement Coordinator
Location: Hybrid/Flexible. Office: Solana Shops at Sunland Mall, El Paso, TX
Position Type: Part-Time, 6-Month Contract (with potential for renewal)
Hourly Rate: $17–$21/hour (Dependent on Experience)
Hours: 20 hours per week, includes some evenings and weekends for events/meetings
Job Summary:
The Autism Society of Texas – El Paso (AST-El Paso) is seeking a dynamic and organized individual to serve as the Community Engagement Coordinator. This role will be responsible for managing community outreach, coordinating and executing events, and being the primary point of contact for questions and concerns related to Autism services. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving awareness, providing information and resources to the community, and supporting the mission of the Autism Society of Texas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the community regarding autism services, offering information and referrals to individuals and professionals.
- Lead and coordinate events including, but not limited to, the Autism Run/Walk, educational and community events, and support meetings.
- Attend local vendor fairs and community events to represent the Autism Society of Texas – El Paso, acting as a liaison between the organization and the community.
- Give presentations to local organizations and businesses on Autism-related topics
- Collaborate with the El Paso Advisory Committee and the Autism Society of Texas (AST) to support fundraising efforts, grants, sponsorships, and community partnerships.
- Track and report attendance numbers and activities of the organization, providing updates to AST and ASA as required.
- Ensure compliance with the mission, procedures, and objectives of the Autism Society of Texas.
- Coordinate and communicate with area event volunteers
- Assist in tracking expenses by logging, scanning and uploading receipts
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Outward community engagement required; ability to build relationships with families, Autistic adults, community partners and local businesses
- Passion for supporting the autism community
- Event planning and coordination experience is preferred
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed for events and meetings
- Prior experience with non-profit organizations or community outreach is a plus
- Bilingual preferred
- Autism knowledge or Autism experience preferred
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or Google Docs, Sheets, Calendar preferred
Additional Information:
- This is a contract, part-time position with 20 hours per week.
- The contract is for six months with with potential for long term employment
- The position offers competitive hourly pay based on experience.
- Some in-office support is required. Our office is located at the Solana Shops at Sunland Mall in El Paso, TX
- Schedule offers hybrid work and flexible agreed upon hours.
- Associates or Bachelor’s degree required preferred not required
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume detailing their experience and qualifications via Indeed.com. For any additional questions, please contact office@texasautismsociety.org.
Kimberly Griego has been part of the Autism Society El Paso Chapter board for many years and was a part of our Autistic Advisory panel before joining our AST board two years ago. Read our interview with Kimberly below!
What is your connection to Autism and/or the Autism community?
I am an Autistic mother to three beautiful sons, two of whom are Autistic.
What do you like most about AST or serving on the Board?
I love the support that is offered to the community in the form of support groups for families and Autistic individuals to connect with each other. I also appreciate the advocacy aspect that we are able to assist and support because it is an important component for necessary legislation reform that has a positive impact for caregivers and individuals on the Autism spectrum.
After taking a class on early childhood development at Baylor University, Dalton Kendrick decided to get his Master’s in Educational Psychology. During the last year of his master’s program, he enrolled in ACT LEND, a 9-month training through UT Austin that prepares professionals in a wide range of careers to be leaders in improving health outcomes for people with Autism and related disabilities. His interest in public policy led him to be matched with the Autism Society of Texas for his LEND internship last August.
As part of his internship, Dalton has been leading the Waco Autistic Adult Group. In January, he began teaching an in-person and online Advocacy Basic Training to prepare participants for Texas Autism Advocacy Day on March 31 st . “Our goal is to make advocacy less scary,” says Dalton. “It was scary for me as someone who is neurotypical and I could only imagine the additional stress that could be added for some Autistic individuals. Before I got involved with AST, I didn’t even know how a bill becomes a law in Texas.”
The 3-part advocacy training includes an overview on the Texas legislative process, information on where to go and what happens on Advocacy Day, and details on specific bills – what the bill says, where it is in the approval process, and how it affects people with Autism. As part of the course, participants practice what they will say about policy issues during visits with legislators. Advocacy training gives them a way to make their voices heard, not just at the state capitol, but in everyday situations when they need to speak up for themselves.
Dalton plans to take what he has learned from his internship with AST into his career in Educational Psychology. His next step is starting a PhD program this fall where his research will focus on access and equity in post-secondary education for people with developmental disabilities. As Dalton explains, “I’ll be looking at students in their final year of high school to learn how to help them successfully transition to college, trade school, or other educational program.”
We are so grateful for the passion and dedication Dalton has brought to his internship with AST. Videos of his Advocacy Basic Training sessions are available to view on the AST’s Youtube channel here.
February was a short month, but a super busy one!
We had so much fun at our Team Autism aid station at the Austin Marathon! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and supported Autism Society of Texas, our Mile 19 Aid Station was a huge success thanks to all of your hard work!! Thank you to our volunteers, runners, and board members – you knocked it out of the park! We also want to give a huge thank you to the Austin Marathon staff for their impeccable event as well as to the Moody Foundation for supporting area nonprofits through matching funds. Also thank you so much to the Hart family for your matching gift to AST!
We have been hard at work at the Capitol, fighting for our community. To find out more about our top legislative issues this session, read more here.
We had our AUTonomy Facebook Live discussion panel “Navigating Relationships as an Autistic Adult”, where our panelists discussed tips for building meaningful relationships while respecting personal boundaries.. Watch it now here!
We were honored to attend the TCADP Conference where Gretchen Sween and Reverend Brian Wharton were rightfully recognized for their incredible advocacy on behalf of Robert Roberson, an Autistic man wrongfully facing the death penalty. A heartfelt thank you to State Rep John Bucy ||| for his unwavering support of Roberson and for his powerful remarks during the keynote address. We also extend our gratitude to TCADP for their ongoing dedication to this cause and for recognizing the Autism Society of Texas and Autism Society of America for their vital support of Roberson. This important work is a step forward in raising awareness about the challenges Autistic adults face within the criminal justice system, and we remain committed to shining a light on these issues, and grateful to the many forces who came together to halt Robert Roberson’s execution.
89th Legislative Issues
Below are some of our top priorities during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. We are supporting (or opposing) numerous other issues and bills that have an impact on children and adults with Autism, as well as their loved ones and support people.
Community Attendant Wages
- Community Care Attendants need $19/hour (currently $10.60/hour) to be competitive with other hourly jobs and help eliminate the shortage of attendants.
- The wage rate at State Supported Living Centers and State Hospitals is $17.50/hour. At minimum, there should be parity in wages for Community Care Attendants with state employees doing comparable jobs.
- Low wages especially impact Autistic adults with high support needs who may require 24/7 care from an attendant.
- There is a severe shortage of attendants, making it difficult for families to hire help.
- HCS Waiver: Available for hiring attendants, but low pay means they are hard to find.
School Vouchers / Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
- Take money from public schools, harming students who rely on them.
- Private schools are not required to provide disability services or accommodations as outlined under IDEA or 504
- More detail on ESAs can be found here “Understanding Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers”
Improve Special Education Funding
- Fully fund Texas Public Schools, increase the basic allotment.
- Change the funding structure for Special Education. Texas currently funds students based on the “setting” or where they receive services, such as a self-contained classroom. This is an antiquated placement-based funding mechanism. We support the recommendation made by the Commission on Special Education Funding, in a report to the 88th Texas Legislature. The recommendation is to change funding for special education to an intensity-based system. This intensity-based system supports a student’s needs, regardless of where the services are delivered.
End Early Pick-Ups Bill (Representative Allen)
- HB 2292 prohibits schools from calling parents to pick up children due to behavior or discipline issues.
- Shadow Discipline: Schools should not repeatedly send kids home early; if they do, it should result in a change of placement.
- Parents can request a Behavioral Evaluation or a Behavior Intervention Plan if this happens.
Cell Phone Ban | HB 515 (Representative Troxclair)
- Currently restricts access to cell phones unless written consent from a medical professional to treat or manage a medical condition. (Might be too restrictive)
- AST doesn’t support a cell phone ban but would like provision to be included for individuals with ASD or other disabilities who utilize cell phones as part of assistive technology.
- Include things like use for AAC, Visual Planners, calendars and time management, voice to text note taking, recording lectures, etc.
ABA Medicaid Benefit
Increased Funding to Improve Provider Network
- Started in February 2022 after years of advocacy but offers low reimbursement rates to ABA therapy providers who take children who utilize Medicaid.
- Few providers accept Medicaid due to the complicated process to take Medicaid clients combined with low reimbursement rates.
- This has created long waitlists for ABA therapy for children utilizing Medicaid.
- More funding that would allow for higher reimbursement rates would expand the Medicaid provider network providing more access to families
Expanding Telehealth & including the ABA/Medicaid Benefit
Ensure children and teens with Autism in rural areas, or places without ABA providers who take Medicaid clients, have the option to utilize the Medicaid/ABA benefit via Telehealth.
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