Murders of children and adults with Autism are on the rise in California, as are suicides by their parents/caregivers. These senseless tragedies can be prevented by offering immediate relief for the caregiver when they need it most. 

 We are demanding for an "Autism 24-hour Emergency Hotline" to be established by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS,) and offered through the 21 Regional Centers in California, whose purpose is to provide "Respite" (a break from the duties of caring for the disabled,) and other services to their disabled clients and families. 

 We are demanding that this project be overseen by "Disability Rights California" -- the state's legal agency in charge of overseeing compliance by the Regional Centers. 

 Since 2008, State budget cuts have severely reduced funding to DDS and the Regional Centers, directly impacting families with *tragic results: 

 * In March 2012, a Sunnyvale mother shot her 22-year-old son, then killed herself when she couldn't find a day program for him. 

 * Also in March of this year, a San Diego area mother drowned her 4-year-old son in their bathtub, then turned herself in to the police, saying she didn't feel her son would have a future without her constant assistance. 

 * Both mothers were full-time caregivers for their children and both families were clients of Regional Centers -- the main agency in charge of providing funding for services, like Respite, for their developmentally disabled (DD) clients/families. 

 These two tragedies, and others, could have been prevented if the mothers had known they could make one call and receive immediate assistance. 

 The Autism Society of California just released a report on a state-wide survey where they found the over 1400 families polled voted the Regional Centers as the MOST DIFFICULT to navigate and to obtain services under. We must simplify the Respite service process for families in dire need of immediate relief. 

 Under the Lanterman Act, California is under legal obligation to her disabled citizens to provide funding for services and to enforce their human rights. The most basic human right -- THE RIGHT TO LIVE -- must be the primary service provided, as without it, there is no purpose for additional services.

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Our goals: 

 1) The "Autism 24-hour Emergency Hotline" (aka: "The Hotline") will be implemented, run and funded by DDS and the 21 Regional Centers in CA, while overseen by Disability Rights California. 

 2) "The Hotline" will provide trained counselors to field calls from Caregivers, helping them get through their hopeless state of mind and gain a more positive perspective. If the counselors feel someone's life is in danger, they will notify authorities. 

 3) "The Hotline" will also provide an "On-Call Respite Service" for Caregivers who are in need of immediate relief from caring for the autistic child/adult. 

 4) "The Hotline" will be fully functioning within one year of approval by the California State Assembly and Governor Brown.

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 By signing this petition, the undersigned are speaking for those with autism who cannot speak for themselves. 

 << This Petition is endorsed by: "Respite for Caregivers of People with Autism" a new non-profit organization run by parents of disabled children/adults in California. We are currently applying for our 501(c)(3) status, as of May 2012.>>

Kerrie Reilly, Mother of Disabled Adult Child, Advocate & Founder of "Respite 4 Caregivers of People with Autism"