[Mike & Jean]

Hey Parents! Circle November 14th for Medicare for Autism Now's “You can Hewko, too” Advocacy workshop. Eight weeks into the new school year is more than enough time for parents to experience a dose of school reality and be perfectly primed to learn the necessary skills to ensure their child is getting what they need in school and the community. Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. It also requires certain skills which you will learn in this highly interactive session. So, circle the date and watch our facebook page and website:http://www.medicareforautismnow.org for location and other details. Stay tuned because spaces will be limited.

[Mike & Jean]

Hey Parents! Circle November 14th for Medicare for Autism Now's “You can Hewko, too” Advocacy workshop. Eight weeks into the new school year is more than enough time for parents to experience a dose of school reality and be perfectly primed to learn the necessary skills to ensure their child is getting what they need in school and the community. Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. It also requires certain skills which you will learn in this highly interactive session. So, circle the date and watch our facebook page and website:http://www.medicareforautismnow.org for location and other details. Stay tuned because spaces will be limited.

[Mike & Jean]

News Release
June 25, 2015

For Immediate Release

Vancouver, BC – Today, the Medicare for autism Now! Society (“MFAN”), a non-partisan, not-for-profit, all volunteer organization, announced the launch of its nation-wide One in 68 campaign. “We will be holding a Campaign Kick-off this Saturday, June 27th, at Douglas College, New Westminster, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm,” said MFAN director and campaign manager, Dr. Sherri Brown, “It will outline the rationale for our initiative and lay-out our action and advocacy agenda leading to the federal election on October 19th, less than four months away.”

The MFAN campaign takes its name from the fact that, currently in North America, one in 68 children are being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). “There is a national epidemic of staggering proportion happening in Canada,” said MFAN director, Jean Lewis, “And, unlike the situation in the United States, our federal government has to date failed miserably to demonstrate long overdue leadership in addressing this major and growing national health care challenge.”

The One in 68 campaign will seek firm commitments from those who wish to hold elected office in Ottawa to vote in favour of necessary changes to the Canada Health Act so that persons living with ASD across our country will have science-based treatment for their core health need covered by Medicare. MFAN intends to focus its efforts on a limited number of highly competitive electoral districts in various parts of Canada. In Metro Vancouver, these include: Burnaby North-Seymour, Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Delta, Surrey Centre, Surrey-Newton, Vancouver Centre and Vancouver Quadra.

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For further information, contact Jean Lewis at 604-290-5737 or at jean.lewis@telus.net

[Mike & Jean]

News Release
June 25, 2015

For Immediate Release

Vancouver, BC – Today, the Medicare for autism Now! Society (“MFAN”), a non-partisan, not-for-profit, all volunteer organization, announced the launch of its nation-wide One in 68 campaign. “We will be holding a Campaign Kick-off this Saturday, June 27th, at Douglas College, New Westminster, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm,” said MFAN director and campaign manager, Dr. Sherri Brown, “It will outline the rationale for our initiative and lay-out our action and advocacy agenda leading to the federal election on October 19th, less than four months away.”

The MFAN campaign takes its name from the fact that, currently in North America, one in 68 children are being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). “There is a national epidemic of staggering proportion happening in Canada,” said MFAN director, Jean Lewis, “And, unlike the situation in the United States, our federal government has to date failed miserably to demonstrate long overdue leadership in addressing this major and growing national health care challenge.”

The One in 68 campaign will seek firm commitments from those who wish to hold elected office in Ottawa to vote in favour of necessary changes to the Canada Health Act so that persons living with ASD across our country will have science-based treatment for their core health need covered by Medicare. MFAN intends to focus its efforts on a limited number of highly competitive electoral districts in various parts of Canada. In Metro Vancouver, these include: Burnaby North-Seymour, Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Delta, Surrey Centre, Surrey-Newton, Vancouver Centre and Vancouver Quadra.

-30-

For further information, contact Jean Lewis at 604-290-5737 or at jean.lewis@telus.net

[Mike & Jean]

Today, the Medicare for autism Now! Society (“MFAN”) announced that Harold Doherty, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, has joined its board of directors. “We have had a long and valued association with Harold,” said MFAN director, David Marley, “We are extremely pleased that an individual with his skills and passionate commitment to the cause of helping persons living with ASD and their families has become a director of our organization.”

Harold, a labour lawyer, became an autism treatment advocate shortly after his second son, Conor, was diagnosed with severe autism. He has published an internationally-read, award-winning blog, “Facing autism in NB”, for over a decade. Together with others, Harold successfully pushed for a provincial early intervention programme, which includes the provision of autism specific, ABA therapy training for education aides and resource teachers.

He has worked extensively on the promotion of national Medicare coverage for science-based treatment of autism, including helping MFAN in its last federal election initiative. Harold’s close work with members of Parliament resulted in the passage of a private member’s bill calling for a National Autism Strategy.

“I look forward to my work as a director of MFAN as our country approaches an important federal election,” said Mr. Doherty, “We have a clear focus on securing during the campaign an unqualified commitment from one or more national political parties, as well as individual candidates, to vote for the provision of Medicare coverage for evidence-based autism treatment.”

[Mike & Jean]

Today, the Medicare for autism Now! Society (“MFAN”) announced that Harold Doherty, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, has joined its board of directors. “We have had a long and valued association with Harold,” said MFAN director, David Marley, “We are extremely pleased that an individual with his skills and passionate commitment to the cause of helping persons living with ASD and their families has become a director of our organization.”

Harold, a labour lawyer, became an autism treatment advocate shortly after his second son, Conor, was diagnosed with severe autism. He has published an internationally-read, award-winning blog, “Facing autism in NB”, for over a decade. Together with others, Harold successfully pushed for a provincial early intervention programme, which includes the provision of autism specific, ABA therapy training for education aides and resource teachers.

He has worked extensively on the promotion of national Medicare coverage for science-based treatment of autism, including helping MFAN in its last federal election initiative. Harold’s close work with members of Parliament resulted in the passage of a private member’s bill calling for a National Autism Strategy.

“I look forward to my work as a director of MFAN as our country approaches an important federal election,” said Mr. Doherty, “We have a clear focus on securing during the campaign an unqualified commitment from one or more national political parties, as well as individual candidates, to vote for the provision of Medicare coverage for evidence-based autism treatment.”

[Mike & Jean]

More great news from Medicare for Autism Now! Today, director, Jean Lewis, announced that Maria Kehagias is joining our board. “We are delighted to welcome Maria as a director of our organization. She brings a diverse blend of professional expertise infused by her energetic, positive attitude.”

For several years, Maria has worked with a number of adolescents and adults across the autism spectrum in the capacity of Special Education Assistant, ABA therapist, Senior Therapist, and Program Director. She has front-line experience with individuals who are very mildly effected to those who are more severe with dual diagnoses requiring very complex treatment programs. She has witnessed first hand the life-changing efficacy of ABA for all individuals with autism and their families. Maria’s direct experience in the field of ABA, coupled with her more recent interests in public relations and marketing position her very well to oversee and direct our organization’s fundraising, event coordination and social media campaigns.

Maria’s interest in autism treatment advocacy grew when she began to witness the hurdles that families faced when trying to pursue what was their child’s right – access to healthcare. “Why is our country denying our most vulnerable citizens?” asks Ms. Kehagias, “This is an unacceptable injustice and abuse by neglect.”

For more information, contact Jean Lewis at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

More great news from Medicare for Autism Now! Today, director, Jean Lewis, announced that Maria Kehagias is joining our board. “We are delighted to welcome Maria as a director of our organization. She brings a diverse blend of professional expertise infused by her energetic, positive attitude.”

For several years, Maria has worked with a number of adolescents and adults across the autism spectrum in the capacity of Special Education Assistant, ABA therapist, Senior Therapist, and Program Director. She has front-line experience with individuals who are very mildly effected to those who are more severe with dual diagnoses requiring very complex treatment programs. She has witnessed first hand the life-changing efficacy of ABA for all individuals with autism and their families. Maria’s direct experience in the field of ABA, coupled with her more recent interests in public relations and marketing position her very well to oversee and direct our organization’s fundraising, event coordination and social media campaigns.

Maria’s interest in autism treatment advocacy grew when she began to witness the hurdles that families faced when trying to pursue what was their child’s right – access to healthcare. “Why is our country denying our most vulnerable citizens?” asks Ms. Kehagias, “This is an unacceptable injustice and abuse by neglect.”

For more information, contact Jean Lewis at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

More great news from Medicare for Autism Now! Today, director, Jean Lewis, announced that Maria Kehagias is joining our board. “We are delighted to welcome Maria as a director of our organization. She brings a diverse blend of professional expertise infused by her energetic, positive attitude.”

For several years, Maria has worked with a number of adolescents and adults across the autism spectrum in the capacity of Special Education Assistant, ABA therapist, Senior Therapist, and Program Director. She has front-line experience with individuals who are very mildly effected to those who are more severe with dual diagnoses requiring very complex treatment programs. She has witnessed first hand the life-changing efficacy of ABA for all individuals with autism and their families. Maria’s direct experience in the field of ABA, coupled with her more recent interests in public relations and marketing position her very well to oversee and direct our organization’s fundraising, event coordination and social media campaigns.

Maria’s interest in autism treatment advocacy grew when she began to witness the hurdles that families faced when trying to pursue what was their child’s right – access to healthcare. “Why is our country denying our most vulnerable citizens?” asks Ms. Kehagias, “This is an unacceptable injustice and abuse by neglect.”

For more information, contact Jean Lewis at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

Today, Medicare for Autism Now! director, Jean Lewis announced that Dr.
Sherri Brown is joining our board. “My colleagues and I are delighted to
welcome Dr. Brown as a director of our organization. Sherri brings highly
relevant professional expertise, as well as extensive advocacy experience to
our organization. She also adds new energy and the perspective of a parent
of a child diagnosed with autism.

Dr. Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests
and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She
has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also
been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these
issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau
Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose
works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the
developing world.

In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and
advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social
service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now
orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community.
She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as
the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to
providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy
resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental
disabilities.

“I am eager to begin work with my fellow directors, says Dr. Brown, as
Medicare for Autism Now! continues its leadership role advocating for what
is right and necessary for Canadians with autism.”

For further information, contact Jean Lewis at mfanow@gmail.com

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