Council backs city public-health-led autism coalition and outreach for April awareness

Laredo City Council voted March 17 to direct staff to include the Blue Ribbon Committee and the local autism coalition in city outreach planned for Autism Awareness Month in April and to ramp up public and business engagement for the All Kinds of Minds master plan.

City public-health staff presented a status update on the All Kinds of Minds master plan, describing phases that include family-centered services, quality health care, data collection and transition-to-work programs. Staff said Webb County’s 2022 data shows 34,793 persons with disabilities; the presenter described a portfolio of activities developed under the plan, including inclusive recreation, vaccination training, family support programming, and a Project SEARCH transition-to-work pilot aimed at placing young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities into internships.

Council voted to collaborate with the Blue Ribbon Committee and the autism coalition on April awareness activities, to distribute pamphlets and outreach materials, and to work with the local economic development corporation and chamber of commerce to increase business participation in the pledge program (gold/silver/bronze levels) for disability-friendly workplaces.

Why it matters: Council members and staff said expanding outreach to businesses and maintaining a public presence will help families find services and encourage employers to adopt inclusive hiring and customer-service practices. Staff listed program successes, recent events and the planned Project SEARCH launch.

Ending: Council’s motion passed; staff said they will update the program website and provide materials for April events.