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Originated in 2005, the Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IIACC) began as a state-mandated entity implementing the Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Autism Services. The IIACC serves as a means for improving shared dialogue, understanding, planning and goal-setting with regards to autism services in Indiana.

With oversight by the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the Council has been facilitated by the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center since 2014.

Mission

The primary mission of the Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (IIACC) is to facilitate engagement in efficient and effective dialogue, resource sharing, and collective implementation as it pertains to general awareness-building, lending content and community/field expertise and experience, and considering evidence-informed strategies valid across the range of needs and lifespan considerations for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This mission is accomplished through a diverse composition of member agencies and stakeholders spanning individuals with ASD, families/caregivers, service providers and professionals, as well as other community representatives who engage with, support or have influence within the ASD field. The intent in facilitating a diverse array of stakeholders is the enhanced ability to collectively work towards shared measurement and goals, to leverage resources and experiences, and to address common issues and outcomes to fill identified gaps for individuals with ASD statewide.

Core Four Areas of Emphases: Facilitated implementation and shared measurement occurs across four core areas of emphases, including:

  • Networking: Collaboration and networking within and across member groups and community at large
  • Information sharing: Information and dissemination of evidence-based and best practices
  • Dissemination: Recognition and distribution of local, state, and national innovation efforts
  • Training: Training and development through member organizations and community partners

These core areas will serve to:

  • Assess for readiness and identify barriers and facilitators across diverse groups in order to support individuals with ASD across the lifespan
  • Recruit and cultivate relationships by building internal and interprofessional partnerships
  • Capture and share local knowledge
  • Collect resources and establish technical assistance to bridge identified gaps
  • Create collaborative efforts to foster learning
  • Inform local opinion leaders and legislators
  • Model and simulate change
  • Promote acceptance, fairness, equity, and adaptability across professional groups and community members
  • Continually assess current needs across different regions of the state to inform the Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Individuals with ASD and efforts aimed at supporting and advancing the independence of individuals with ASD across the lifespan
  • Seek out expertise to inform and promote the work of the IIACC

 IIACC Conduct Creed

IIACC member agencies and representatives will maintain the Conduct Creed of the IIACC:

  • Embrace respect, responsibility, fairness and honesty towards individuals with ASD, family members, peer professionals, and community members
  • Recognize the rights and dignities of each individual
  • Uphold the reputation and good standing of the IIACC
  • Act in general interest of individuals with ASD and those supporting or working with individuals with ASD in any capacity
  • Listen with an open mind to alternate points of view – even those that they may disagree with.
  • Respect the intellectual property rights and copyright laws when recommending, disseminating or otherwise engaging with resources and training
  • Act in a way that helps create a safe and harassment-free environment for members and attendees of IIACC-sponsored events or platforms to feel welcome, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, disability, ethnicity, religion, culture, national origin, social/economic class, educational level, color, size, family status, political beliefs, veteran status, or other group identity
  • Provide professional critique of ideas and behaviors without focusing on an individual sharing the ideas
  • Fairly and accurately represent my professional experiences, credentials, qualifications, and abilities
  • Improve the public understanding of autism spectrum disorder, strengths and challenges of individuals with ASD across the lifespan to advance their independence and integration into the community
  • Support and advance efforts of self-advocacy among individuals with ASD

How Gaps Are Identified

In order to best understand gaps in resources, services, trainings and other needs, it is important to have a number of data sources and data types that are representative of and from the groups that are in need of these areas of support. We use a number of community, statewide, and national data sources spanning regularly released literature and research and an ongoing comprehensive, research informed autism needs assessment. Data from across surveys, interviews and focus groups informs the autism needs assessment and serves to collect and share stories, insights, experiences and barriers in the format that is best suited to each group. Groups such as medical providers, educational personnel, justice and public safety personnel, early intervention through to transition providers, non-medical community providers, families, caregivers, and individuals with ASD and related disabilities are included across all formats. Field and community-based insights are shared through consultation and collaboration among key stakeholder groups and input through the HANDS in Autism® Local Community Cadres.

Add your voice to the Indiana Needs Assessment

Ways to Engage

IIACC member agencies or representatives can participate in a capacity and with a frequency that is reasonable for them and adequately contributes to the foundational IIACC mission, including but not limited to:

  • Quarterly meetings
  • Information and resource design and dissemination
  • Engagement in social media and other community-engaged dissemination avenues to inform and provide materials within and across communities
  • Participation within community advisory groups to share and learn more about local, regional, and state needs
  • Review and recommend materials and resources as part of the IIACC dissemination and awareness-building efforts

  • Recently Active IIACC Member Organizations

Facilitators of the IIACC will continuously work towards recruitment and engagement of diverse membership within and across a range of stakeholder groups to ensure collective, representative contributions are available to inform the areas reflected within the Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Individuals with ASD. Below reflects the array of members invited and participating currently within the IIACC:

Adulthood

Advocacy

Behavioral

Community Providers

Correction sErvices

Early Childhood

Education

Families

First Responders

Insurance

Medical

Mental Health

Oversight/Administration

Policy/Legislation

Regional

Self‐Advocacy

University

Vocational & Transition