The President's Budget Request includes multiple cuts and changes to programs that the Autism Community relies on. 

This includes:

Changes all Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding into one big block grant instead of separate programs to be funded. This includes combining K-12 Grants, Preschool Grants, Personnel Preparation and Development, Technical Assistance Centers,  and Parent Information Centers, all into one lump sum amount to states for them to decide how to use. This means many states would not fund all individual programs as they used to. 

Changes to the Developmental Disabilities Act program funding. The proposal eliminates funding for the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) due to "diversity, equity, and inclusion". There are 68 of these centers across the country that provide training, research, and technical assistance to the I/DD community. The request does include funding for the State Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Funding for the Protection and Advocacy Network is also ___. 

Autism CARES Funding request is uncertain. The funding proposal does not mention Autism CARES funding, including the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Programs and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC). 

It is critical that we inform Members of Congress on the importance of all of these programs. Please use our Action Alert to inform your Member on IDEA programs, DD Act programs, and the Autism CARES Act funding.