Fiscal Mapping Autism Spectrum Disorder Funds: A Case Study of Ohio

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have complex needs requiring regular service utilization. Policymakers, administrators, and community leaders are looking for ways to finance ASD services and systems. Understanding the fiscal resources that support ASD services is essential. This article uses fiscal mapping to explore ASD funding streams in Ohio. Fiscal mapping steps are overviewed to assist ASD stakeholders in identifying and examining ASD-related funding. Implications are drawn related to how fiscal mapping could be used to identify and leverage funding for ASD services. The resulting information is critical to utilizing existing resources, advocating for resources, and leveraging available funds.

KEYWORDS:

• advocacy
• autism
• autism spectrum disorders
• disability funding
• disability policy
• fiscal mapping
• people with disabilities
• policy

Notes

^a Maternal Child Health Block Grant line item is the second largest investment related to disabilities in the Department of Health. The Help Me Grow line item is the largest and is not displayed here because it is showcased in Table 2.

^a Table 6 illustrates the fund with the largest investment for each priority area, with the exception of prenatal and maternal health and vocational rehabilitation. These priority areas have the funds with the second largest investment, as the funds with the largest investment (Maternal Child Health Block Grant and Vocational Rehabilitation) are illustrated in earlier tables.