New federal autism safety initiative strengthens coordination

An initiative to help strengthen coordination among emergency management agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and community partners nationwide when autistic individuals go missing has been launched by multiple government agencies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services led the rollout with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visiting Rochester, Minn., to announce the first National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert initiative. "When an autistic child or adult goes missing, every minute matters," Kennedy said. "President Trump has made improving the lives of Americans with autism and their families a priority. We are bringing federal, state and local partners together to improve prevention, speed the response, and help bring autistic children and adults home safely." That coordination is critical when autistic individuals are reported missing, explained U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. "This effort will help law enforcement and emergency responders act quickly and effectively when an autistic individual goes missing, strengthening coordination and saving lives," Blanche said. "Families deserve to know that when every minute matters, their government is working together to bring their loved ones home safely." In addition to increased coordination, Health and Human Services also announced it will establish a framework of best practices aimed at preventing injuries and deaths from risks such as accidental drowning, which is a particular concern when autistic individuals go missing. "This initiative is about preparedness, rapid response, and protecting vulnerable Americans when every minute counts," said U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are all partnering with Health and Human Services on the initiative. Rochester was chosen for the announcement because of its enrollment in the Project Lifesaver program, an international nonprofit initiative used by several counties in Minnesota and across the nation. Through the program, individuals with cognitive disorders such as autism, Alzheimer's disease or dementia who are at risk of wandering receive a bracelet equipped with a small tracking device. That device then allows local public safety agencies to quickly respond when an individual enrolled in the program is reported missing. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office applauded Kennedy for choosing Rochester for the announcement. "The announcement was made in Olmsted County because of the strong partnership and collaborative efforts between the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Rochester Police Department, and RT Autism Awareness Foundation Project Lifesaver team, including our 100% success rate when called to locate individuals when reported missing through the program," the department said in a statement. According to a statement from Health and Human Services, the fact that 1 in 31 children in the nation is now being diagnosed with autism underscores "the need for continued federal support" for families and communities. This initiative is one of several announced in recent months to strengthen federal resources for autistic individuals and their families.