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Autism Commission
Board Information
Policy Area
Health and Human ServicesPurpose
The commission shall make recommendations on policies impacting individuals with autistic spectrum disorders, which shall include, but not be limited to, asperger's syndrome, high functioning autism, smith-magenis syndrome and pervasive development disorder. The commission shall investigate the range of services and supports necessary for such individuals to achieve their full potential across their lifespan, including, but not limited to, investigating issues related to public education, higher education, job attainment and employment, including supported employment, provision of adult human services, post-secondary education, independent living, community participation, housing, social and recreational opportunities, behavioral services based on best practices to ensure emotional well-being, mental health services and issues related to access for families of children with autism spectrum disorder and adults who are from linguistically and culturally diverse communities.Meeting Information
The commission shall meet at least quarterly, or as frequently as the executive director recommends.Legal Authority
Board Members
↓↓ Sort members table by selecting table header for Member, Seat Name, Appointing Authority, or Term End Date.
| Member↓↓ | Seat Name | Appointing Authority | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Jason Albert | Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Representative Christine Barber | Member of the House of Representatives 1 | House of Representatives | - |
| Mr. Ron Benham | Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Michele Brait | At-large - Seat 2 | Governor | April 2, 2023 |
| Daniel Burke | Representative of the Arc of Massachusetts | Governor | June 23, 2023 |
| Maria Calvo | Secretary of Office of Elder Affairs, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Representative Kimberly Ferguson | Member of the House of Representatives 2 | Legislature | - |
| Ms. Danielle Ferrier | Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Todd Garvin | Member with Autism Spectrum Disorder | Governor | January 8, 2020 |
| Patricia A. Gentile | Representative from the Community College System | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Janet George | Representative with Clinical Knowledge of Smith-Magenis Syndrome | Ex Officio | - |
| Ayana Gonzalez | Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Mr. Kasper Goshgarin | Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Commissioner Elin M. Howe | Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services | Ex Officio | - |
| Christine Hubbard | Representative of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts | Governor | November 2, 2022 |
| Ms. Dania Jekel MSW | Representative of the Asperger's Association of New England | Governor | June 23, 2023 |
| Senator Barbara L'Italien | Member of the Senate 1 | Senate President | - |
| Ms. Julia Landau | Representative of Massachusetts Advocates for Children | Governor | December 2, 2018 |
| Ms. Susan Loring | At-Large - Seat 5 | Governor | April 6, 2019 |
| Pat Marshall | Commissioner of Higher Education, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Felix Nicolas Martinez | At-Large - Seat 6 | Governor | April 13, 2023 |
| Ms. Marica Mittnacht | Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Dr. Ann Neumeyer | Representative of the Lurie Center | Governor | November 3, 2023 |
| Teresita Ramos | Member of the Senate 2 | Legislature | - |
| Jane Ryder | Director of the Division of Autism | Ex Officio | - |
| Dr. Kathy Sanders | Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Teresa Toomey Schirmer | Secretary of Education, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Teresa Touhey Schirmer | At-large - Seat 1 | Governor | April 2, 2023 |
| Emily Sherwood | Director of the Office of Medicaid, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Jo Ann Simons | At-Large - Seat 3 | Governor | April 14, 2023 |
| Mr. Leonard Vincent Strully Jr. | At-Large - Seat 4 | Governor | April 6, 2023 |
| Secretary Marylou Sudders | Secretary of Health and Human Services, or desginee | Ex Officio | - |
| Chris Supple | Commissioner of Early Education and Care, or designee | Ex Officio | - |
| Judith Ursitti | Representative of Autism Speaks, Inc. | Governor | September 3, 2019 |
| Ms. Amy Weinstock | Representative of the Autism Insurance Resource Center | Governor | November 16, 2018 |