STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Several state legislators – including Representatives Joshua Hernandez, Kathleen Cates, Liz Thompson and Sen. Linda Lopez – will join the Garza owned McDonald’s and Elevate the Spectrum to host a postcard signing-event on Saturday, Jan. 20 in an effort to impact change for those with autism.
The public is strongly encouraged to participate. The event will take place 2-4 p.m. at McDonald’s on 5700 McMahon Blvd.
Pre-filled postcards will be made available where the public need only add their address.
Volunteers will then send the postcards to the appropriate legislators. The Garza owned McDonald’s will be issuing Be Our Guest cards to anyone who fills out a postcard, providing a complimentary food item at a next visit.
“Considering that 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the U.S, most New Mexicans know someone who struggles with the challenges ASD presents,” said McDonald’s owner/operator, Clemy Garza, whose son has autism. “We need more funding at the state level for programs that support families and add more providers to evaluate and provide services for those with autism.”
“These events are a great way to educate elected officials and to meet other families with similar concerns related to autism,” said Joel A. Davis, vice president of Elevate the Spectrum, Inc. “Thanks to Clemy and the Garza McDonald’s for helping us elevate issues like special education, improvements, workforce force training program and adding more developmental disability services to benefit those with autism.”
Since October 2023, hundreds of people have contacted state legislators using the pre-filled postcards created by Elevate the Spectrum.
The postcards focus on matters thatdirectly affect New Mexico’s autistic community including:
- Improving restraint and seclusion laws. Currently, students with disabilities such as autism account for 75 percent of those who are physically restrained at school.
- Increasing pay for autism service providers. Pay typically starts at $13, which is only a few dollars above minimum wage. The request will be for $19/hour, commensurate with the qualifications needed to fulfill these specialized positions.
- Fully funding a Special Ed Ombud office. Ideally, adding as many as four full-time FTE’s.
- Funding programs to cut wait times for autism evaluations for both children and adults. Current wait times are often as long as one to two years.
- Increasing services and quality of care for respite, group homes for adults and teens and Residential Treatment Centers. Since most people with autism are on Medicaid, this impacts those who are able to receive services.
A few days prior to the event, both the House and Senate will proclaim Jan. 17 as “Autism Awareness Day” at the Capitol. Additional postcards will be made available at that time to the public. Several tables will be set up at the rotunda for those who want to fill out postcards, and moved to room #326.
The Garza family is proud to be a sponsor of this event and a proud partner of elevate the spectrum.
The Jan. 20 at McDonald’s is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.elevatethespectrum.org or contact Joel A. Davis at 505.301.3394.