HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2021-3190RESOLUTION NO.2021 � IqO
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY
ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER OR
DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT OR AGREEMENTS
WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI-NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILITIES
FOR A CITYWIDE AUTISM AND NEURODIVERSE INCLUSION
PROGRAM AT NO COST TO THE CITY; REQUIRING A REPORT;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in 2020, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention
announced that the prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder ("ASD") is currently 1:54 for 8-
year-old children; and
WHEREAS, according to the advocacy organization, Autism Speaks, more than 500,000
young adults with autism will age out of guaranteed services in the next decade; and
WHEREAS, there are 7,500 individuals with autism registered with the University of
Miami -Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities ("CARD"), and
CARD estimates that there may be as many as 50,000 individuals with ASD in Miami -Dade
County; and
WHEREAS, CARD provides services throughout the County for children and adults who
have ASD, in addition to other disorders that may co -exist with autism; and
WHEREAS, CARD's primary services include client and family support services,
programmatic technical assistance and consultation, and public education and awareness activities;
and
WHEREAS, CARD has expressed an interest in collaborating with the City to establish a
Citywide program focused on ASD and neurodiverse inclusion; and
WHEREAS, a collaboration between the City and CARD should include a training
program for City staff that interact with the public so that staff has a greater understanding of the
special needs of individuals with ASD; and
WHEREAS, the City's Cultural & Community Services Department, which includes the
City's park and transit staff, could benefit from an inclusion program; and
WHEREAS, CARD can develop social learning tools that assist individuals with ASD to
understand their environment and help in reducing anxiety in new places and interactions; and
WHEREAS, some learning tools can be provided to caregivers prior to visiting public
spaces; and
WHEREAS, CARD has expertise related to ASD and what resources are available to
individuals with ASD and their families, including resources by age group, resources for educators,
@BCL@B40D21BF.docx Page 1 of 3
information for the general public, information related to mental health challenges and ASD, and
the importance of healthful living including exercise and nutrition; and
WHEREAS, continuity in signage indicating that certain spaces are sensory friendly can
assist individuals with ASD in navigating civic spaces and reduce anxiety; and
WHEREAS, autism friendly spaces are those spaces that provide a welcoming,
compassionate and nonjudgmental environment for individuals with ASD; and
WHEREAS, CARD can assist the City in ensuring that the City is open, accessible, and
friendly to individuals with ASD and their families through training of staff and consultation
regarding sensory -friendly activities and autism friendly spaces; and
WHEREAS, a collaboration between the City and CARD will not result in the City
expending any funds; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission is committed to including all individuals in civic spaces
throughout the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recital paragraphs are hereby ratified and
confirmed as being true and the same are hereby made part of this Resolution.
Section 2. Direction to City Manager or City Manager's Designee. The City Manager or City
Manager's designee is hereby directed to enter into an agreement or agreements with the
University of Miami -Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disorders to
develop a Citywide ASD and neurodiverse inclusion program. Such agreement or agreements shall
not result in any funds being expended by the City and shall include at minimum the following in
the scope of services: (i) providing opportunities for training of City staff, (ii) the development of
social stories for City spaces including but not limited to City parks; (iii) age -specific programming
for individuals with ASD; and (iv) the development of autism -friendly spaces.
The City Commission further directs the City Manager or City Manager's designee to submit a
written report to the City Commission within 45 days of the effective date of this resolution, which
shall be placed on an agenda of the Commission, providing this Commission with the agreement
or agreements entered into between the City and the University of Miami -Nova Southeastern
University Center for Autism and Related Disorders as outlined above.
Section 3. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on this 201h day of
H. Scholl,
@BCL@B40D21BF.docx Page 2 of 3
VEI APPROVED AS TO FORM
AND LEGA FICIENCY:
Ma ricio etancur, CMC, City Clerk Edward A. Dion, City Attorney
Moved by: 111(151 Yoe g&-wiv Seconded by:
Vote:
Mayor Scholl (Yes) (No)
Vice Mayor Svechin (Yes) (No)
Commissioner Goldman V. (Yes) (No)
Commissioner Lama (Yes) (No)
Commissioner Viscarra (Yes) (No)
@BCL@B40D21 BF.docx Page 3 of 3
a •4�f�, f
e °>; F1.cs4` 5`
^#o
City of Sunny Isles Beach
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160
(305) 947-0606 City Hall
(305) 949-3113 Fax
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: Jeniffer Viscarra, Commissioner
DATE: May 20, 2021
RE: Direction to City Manager to Enter into Agreements for a Citywide
Autism and Neurodiverse Inclusion Program
RECOMMENDATION:
This Resolution is being presented for your approval.
REASONS:
In 2020, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the
prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder ("ASD") is currently 1:54 for 8-year-old children.
According to the advocacy organization Autism Speaks, more than 500,000 young adults with
autism will age out of guaranteed services in the next decade. There are 7,500 individuals
with autism registered with the University of Miami -Nova Southeastern University Center for
Autism and Related Disabilities ("CARD"), and CARD estimates that there may be as many as
50,000 individuals with ASD in Miami -Dade County. CARD provides services throughout the
County for children and adults who have ASD, in addition to other disorders that may co -exist
with autism. CARD's primary services include client and family support services,
programmatic technical assistance and consultation, and public education and awareness
activities.
The City of Sunny Isles Beach and CARD wish to collaborate with one another to establish a
Citywide program focused on ASD and neurodiverse inclusion. A collaboration between the
City and CARD should include the creation of autism friendly spaces and a training program
for City staff that interact with the public so that staff has a greater understanding of the
special needs of individuals with ASD of all ages. The City's Cultural & Community Services
Department, which includes the City's park and transit staff, could benefit from an inclusion
program, and CARD can develop social learning tools that assist individuals with ASD within
Item Number: 10.A
our city to understand their environment and help in reducing anxiety in new places and
interactions. CARD has expertise related to ASD and what resources are available to
individuals with ASD and their families, including resources by age group, resources for
educators, information for the general public, information related to mental health challenges
and ASD, and the importance of healthful living including exercise and nutrition. Furthermore,
continuity in signage indicating that certain spaces are sensory friendly can assist individuals
with ASD in navigating civic spaces and reduce anxiety.
In short, CARD can assist the City in ensuring that the City is open, accessible, and friendly to
individuals with ASD and their families through training of staff and consultation regarding
sensory -friendly activities and autism friendly spaces at no cost to the City.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Item Number: 10.A