Wednesday, May 1, 2024
5/1/2024
The goal of the proposed project is to develop and implement the Pennsylvania Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance Program (PASDSP), a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Departments of Human Services, Education, and Health, and the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). The lead entity for PASDSP is the Pennsylvania Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, within the Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs, although project staff and data sources reach across Pennsylvania Departments. PASDSP will leverage prior experience obtaining and matching state-level administrative data (including for the purposes of assessing administrative autism spectrum disorder [ASD] prevalence) and partnerships with local health and education stakeholders within the fifth most populous state in the U.S. We will utilize records from multiple sources to produce a population surveillance system for ASD and developmental disabilities, focused on 4-year-old and 8-year-old children from three geographically contiguous southeastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Chester, and Delaware). Based on the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) Bridged-Race Population Estimates, Vintage 2020, more than 36,000 4-year-olds and 8-year-olds reside in these counties. PASDSP will include data from four key sources: 1) health records from state Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and community-based clinical and hospital sources; 2) education records, including special education, maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and school districts within the designated catchment area; 3) Early Intervention records; and 4) Department of Health records, including birth certificates. PASDSP proposes to conduct activities under Component A and to adhere to the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network methodology by establishing agreements for health and education data sources, conducting staff training and continuing education, reporting de-identified data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and linking data to community action by engaging partners and stakeholders in order to bolster the use of ADDM data. We will develop and implement a strategic plan across these activities, to ensure performance monitoring and evaluation. PASDSP will build upon Pennsylvania’s status as a leader in innovation among states to identify and serve children with ASD and developmental disabilities by strengthening partnerships and extending the reach of resources and supports.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
