Dear Applicant
An exciting and historic opportunity awaits Pennsylvanias self-advocates on the autism spectrum. The Pennsylvania Autism Self-Advocacy Coalition (PASAC) endeavors to educate and advise state and local government, law enforcement, educators, and the medical community about the autism spectrum from an inside out perspective. Specifically, it is anticipated that there will be opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Public Welfare Autism Affairs Office in the implementation of the Autism Task Force recommendations. There will also be opportunities to partner with our primary sponsor, Youth Advocate Programs (YAP), in the implementation of their statewide (eventually nationwide) relationship-based autism training model for mental health workers supporting children and adolescents on the autism spectrum.
PASAC is interested in identifying those individuals willing and able to contribute their gifts and talents as PASAC Regional Representatives in creating a necessary transformation in Pennsylvania that values autism self-advocates and the importance of what we have to offer. In particular, this requires individuals who are able to interact and dialogue in ways that are timely, be able to meet deadlines and represent Pennsylvanias autism community with grace, humility and dignity. Your motor-control differences or use of speech alternatives are unimportant; your passion to create change is!
At present, the Regional Representative positions are on a volunteer basis, but as PASAC moves forward, finds it's footing and becomes better established as a viable force in Pennsylvania, there is strong potential for honorariums to be paid for training and resource opportunities as is only fitting.
PASAC is seeking self-advocate representatives age twenty-one and over from each of the following state regions:
Western PA: Includes Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Beaver, Washington, Greene, Warren, Venango, Forest, Butler, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette, Indiana, Jefferson, Clarion, McKean, Elk, Potter, Cameron and Clearfield counties.
Central PA: Includes Somerset, Bedford,Fulton, Franklin, Adams, York, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon, Lancaster, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Snyder, Union, Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties.
Northeastern PA: Includes Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, Sullivan, Wyoming, Wayne, Lackawanna, Pike, Carbon, Monroe, Schuykill, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties.
Southeastern PA: Includes Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties.
Those selected as PASAC Regional Representatives will be notified. For those not selected, please know that PASAC values your support, wishes to acknowledge you as a regional ally, and will be working to ensure that the voices of Pennsylvanias autism community are heard and valued.
Sincerely,
William Stillman, PASAC Founder