HHS Secretary Names Autism Society Board Members to Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

March 29, 2012
By Autism Society

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has invited two Autism Society board members to join the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Board members Dr. Jim Ball and Dr. Jose Cordero will serve on the federal advisory committee made up of both federal officials and public members. With two national board members on IACC, the Autism Society is well-positioned to act on our statement regarding the recent CDC announcement:  the need for support and services for families impacted by autism has never been greater. 

IACC members are charged with coordinating all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services concerning autism spectrum disorders, developing and annually updating a strategic plan for ASD, and providing advice to the Secretary on matters related to ASD.

“Through the appointment of Drs. Ball and Cordero to the IACC, the Autism Society can emphasize the need for services and supports to be factored in national autism initiatives,” said Scott Badesch, President and COO of the Autism Society. “We commend our board members and are proud to have such esteemed professionals represent the Autism Society.”

Dr. Jim Ball, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), is chairman of the Autism Society board of directors. He has worked in the private sector field of autism for more than 25 years, providing educational, employment and residential services to children and adults affected with autism. Dr. Ball has won numerous awards, including NYFAC’s Autism Inspiration Award, Autism Society’s Literary Work of the Year Award for his manual on social security and employment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and Autism New Jersey’s highest honor, their Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. Jose Cordero is the Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Puerto Rico. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Cordero was an Assistant Surgeon General of the Public Health Service and the Founding Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information, read the IACC press release.