IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2007                                                                     

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
785/296-2302

SPEAKER APPOINTS FOUR TO AUTISM TASK FORCE

Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld announced today he has appointed four Kansans to the Kansas Autism Task Force, as required by Senate Bill 138. 

Senate Bill 138 requires the Speaker to appoint one member of the House; a parent of a child with autism; one member of the faculty of the department of special education at an institution of higher education with a specialization in the areas of autism; and one who is a developmental pediatrician.

Speaker Neufeld’s appointments are Rep. Judy Morrison (R-Shawnee); Jeanie Zortman, a parent of a child with autism from Dodge City; Dee McKee, EdD, principal of Heartspring School in Wichita; and Dr. Kathryn Ellerbeck, Asst. Professor of Pediatrics, KUMC Center for Child Health and Development (formerly the Developmental Disabilities Center).

Speaker Neufeld said Rep. Morrison has shown a strong interest in assisting those families with autistic children and he is confident she will represent the House and the people of Kansas well.

“This is something I have been interested in since my daughter began working closely with autistic children and their families 20 years ago,” Rep. Morrison said.  “I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve Kansans with autism and their families.  And I’m pleased the autism community is receiving the attention it has long deserved.”

Rep. Morrison has worked with the National Foundation of Women Legislators to lobby lawmakers in Washington D.C. about the needs of autistic children.  She was first appointed to the Kansas Legislature in 1999 and currently serves on the House Federal and State Affairs, Energy and Utilities, and Economic Development and Tourism Committees.

Jeanie Zortman and her husband, Tony, are founders of Autism SW Kansas (ASK), and work extensively with the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Center for Child Health and Development.

“Jeanie is a well-known parent advocate for the Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation whom I greatly admire,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “She has dedicated much of her life to raise awareness about autism throughout Kansas.  Her family’s personal struggle will help others on the task force learn about the impact of the condition.”

Jeanie, whose daughter, Mikela, was diagnosed with autism, knows early intervention is key to child development, parent support and education.

“I am honored to be appointed to the Autism Task Force and honored to have been appointed by Speaker of the House; my representative, Melvin Neufeld,” Zortman said.  “I am determined to join the other members of the task force, our legislators, and Governor Sebelius to advocate for our children and families, early intervention and education and to serve children in every corner of the State of Kansas.”

Jeanie also serves on the Board of Directors for CASA, as a member of the 16th Judicial District Drug Endangered Children Task Force.

“I have worked with Dr. McKee on a number of education-related issues,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “Her vast background in special education, work with children with special needs, and extensive experience in education settings will serve the task force well.”

Heartspring School where Dr. McKee serves as principal offers day and residential services for children with special needs including autism, Asperger's Syndrome, mental retardation, speech and language impairments, visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing, cerebral palsy, challenging behaviors and those with multiple disabilities.

“I am pleased Kansas legislators and Governor Sebelius agreed the state needed to look closely at the needs and services available for children with autism,” Dr. McKee said.  “I look forward to working with others on the task force to find ways we can serve all children in Kansas – whether they live in an urban or rural setting.  Work at Heartspring School has shown programs offered early in an autistic child’s life can make a tremendous difference and help them meet their true potential and give them independence.”

Dr. McKee earned her MS from Fort Hays State University and Doctorate in Educational Administration with an emphasis on special education from Kansas State University.  She also served as a Ford County Commissioner and was Director of Special Education for the Manhattan School District for three years.

Dr. Ellerbeck is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician with experience in the diagnosis and management of children with developmental disabilities.

“I am excited about the quality of the expertise Dr. Ellerbeck will bring to the task force,” Speaker Neufeld said. 

Dr. Ellerbeck said she is pleased to be named to the Autism Task Force and is optimistic they can make life better for children with autism and the families who love them. 

“As a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, I am particularly interested in improving access to early screening and early referral of children who have developmental problems,” Dr. Ellerbeck said.  “We need to find ways to improve access to affordable diagnostic and intervention services, and we need to support Kansas pediatricians and family physicians as they try to provide a medical home for children with autism.   With early diagnosis and appropriate intervention services, we have seen many children with autism grow up to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. My goal is to see this happen for all children with autism.”

Dr. Ellerbeck received her MD from UMKC School of Medicine in 1982 and completed a combined Pediatric/Internal Medicine Residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital and the Consortium for Health Education in 1986. She received her Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and

Public Health in 1990 and completed her fellowship in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Maryland in 1995. She served as a Developmental Pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospital from 1995–2000. Dr. Ellerbeck is boarded in Pediatrics and in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She sees patients in the Developmental Medicine Clinic and also sees patients as part of several multidisciplinary team clinics (CARE, DEC and TEAM).

“As proof by the overwhelming support by Kansas Legislators, it is felt by many that this issue needs study to provide answers and resources that will benefit Kansans at an early age in the future.” Neufeld said.  “I want to thank my appointees for their willingness to share their experience and their time to help us move forward with this very important legislation.”

The task force will study and conduct hearings on the issues relating to, the needs of and services available for persons with autism.  Members will submit a preliminary report to the legislative Education Planning Committee on or before November 15, 2007 and a final report on or before November 15, 2008.  The reports shall include recommendations for legislative changes.

Appointments to the 20-member task force will be made by the Senate President (4), Senate Minority Leader (3); House Speaker (4); House Minority Leader (3); Governor (4), Insurance Commissioner (1) and appointed parents (1).  The Secretary of Health and Environment, Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Service, Commissioner of Education, and the Chief Administrative Officer of the Capper Foundation Easter Seals will serve as ex officio members.

The Center for Disease Control reported the prevalence of autism as 1 in 150.  Ten years ago, the prevalence was 1 in 10,000.

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