Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives Seeks State’s First Autism Coordinator

Application Period Runs Until October

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives is seeking applicants for Maryland’s first statewide Autism Coordinator. 

“Maryland is a leader in finding and promoting the ability within disability for our children and families, by providing support to those in our community who are addressing disability challenges every day,” said Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives Director Steven McAdams. “Children with autism are already accomplishing great things, and I’m proud to build on our state’s commitment through our first Autism Coordinator who will focus on this important issue for parents, children, and caregivers.”

The person serving as the State autism coordinator initiates, develops, and implements the goals, policies, and procedures of Maryland’s delivery and coordination of services and programming to Marylanders with autism and their caregivers; acts as the chairman of the State’s Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs and provides administrative support to this advisory group; and develops a strategic plan for addressing autism-related needs in employment, housing, health care, training for first responders and criminal justice professionals, and identification and intervention.

HB 847 became law in 2020 to establish the Autism Coordinator position. Governor Hogan’s FY 2022 budget included record funding of $25.9 million for home- and community-based support for children with autism, a 30% overall increase during his term.

Qualified candidates should apply online at https://tinyurl.com/cfs4w9kk.