Leg Ver1

[Autism Appreciation Month - April 2026] Resolution recognizing the month of April 2026 as Autism Appreciation Month in the City and County of San Francisco. WHEREAS, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects comm unication, behavior, and social interaction, impacting millions of individuals and families across the nation; and WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism, highlighting the growing need for awareness, support, and early intervention services; and WHEREAS, California’s autism-related special education population has grown substantially over time, increasing from approximately 14,038 students in 19 90 to 120,089 students in 2018, representing an 8.5-fold increase, and autism now accounts for about 16% of special education enrollments compared to 10% in 2011; and WHEREAS, Over 800,000 children and youth in California (ages 0-22) received special educa tion services in 2020, representing about 13% of all students in the state, reflecting continued growth in demand for disability and autism-related educational services; and WHEREAS, San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has autism-focused Special Day Classes to address the needs of students who benefit from smaller and more specialized learning environments for students in Pre-K through 22 years old; and WHEREAS, San Francisco has made significant strides in supporting individuals with autism, incl uding the establishment of the Felton Early Autism Program, which provides inclusive, center-based early intervention services; the launch of the Bay Area Autism Collective, an organization led by autistic individuals to promote self-advocacy and peer supp ort; and the introduction of sensory-friendly spaces at San Francisco International Airport, the Exploratorium, and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital to improve accessibility for neurodiverse individuals; and WHEREAS, The City has also taken steps toward in clusive housing solutions, such as the Kelsey Civic Center development, which reserves units for individuals with disabilities, including those with autism, ensuring equitable access to stable and supportive living environments; and WHEREAS, Despite these advancements, a 2024 report by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission found that individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities face higher rates of unemployment and housing instability, with an estimated 80% of autistic adults in San Fran cisco experiencing underemployment or unemployment; and WHEREAS, State and local funding for autism services remains critical, particularly as San Francisco faces challenges related to affordability and the availability of specialized healthcare providers, with families reporting long wait times for essential diagnostic and therapeutic services; and WHEREAS, San Francisco’s investment in local programs, such as Bridges from School to Work, which helps young adults with autism and other disabilities navigate the transition into the workforce, offers real job opportunities that match talents with employers' needs, further addressing the city’s unemployment challenges for those with developmental disabilities; and WHEREAS, The Arc San Francisco’s Youth ACHIEVE program, which partners with SFUSD, focuses on the transition from high school to employment and further education for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring that individuals with autism gain the skills and support they need to th rive in higher education, jobs, and careers; and WHEREAS, Organizations such as Support for Families of Children with Disabilities provide vital services to families navigating the complexities of raising children with autism, offering education, peer supp ort, and individualized assistance to ensure that families are empowered with the resources they need; and WHEREAS, These programs and others represent important steps toward meeting the needs of San Francisco’s neurodiverse community, yet gaps remain in a ccess to education, employment, and social services, underscoring the continued need for investment in programs that support individuals with autism and their families; and WHEREAS, Autism Appreciation Month serves as an opportunity to promote understandin g, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with autism in all aspects of society while also encouraging further research and policy development to improve their quality of life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco hereby proclaims April 2026 as Autism Appreciation Month in San Francisco and encourages all residents to participate in activities that promote awareness, education, and inclusion; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Su pervisors commends the efforts of local organizations, advocates, and families working to improve the lives of individuals with autism, including those supported by programs such as Bridges from School to Work, The Arc San Francisco Youth ACHIEVE, and Supp ort for Families of Children with Disabilities, and pledges continued support to policies that enhance services, accessibility, and opportunities for all those impacted by autism, while also advocating for continued funding at the city level to address the needs of autistic individuals and their families in San Francisco. FILE NO. 260430 RESOLUTION NO. [[Note: This text message is hidden and will not print.DO NOT DE LETE the "Section Break (Continuous)" at Line 3 or you will lose header/footer/side numbers!!]] Supervisors Mahmood; Sherrill, Sauter, Melgar, Walton, Chen, Mandelman, Wong BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25