Building and Improving Systems of Care: Key Findings From an Evaluation of the Autism CARES State Systems Grant Program

This brief presents findings from a study of the Autism CARES State Systems Grant Program grantees awarded through HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Autism CARES Act funds. HRSA’s Autism CARES investments have one overarching goal: enable all infants, children, and adolescents who have or are at risk of developing ASD/DDs to reach their full potential by developing a system of services that includes developmental screening of children as early as possible for ASD/DDs, conducting early interdisciplinary evaluations to confirm or rule out ASD/DDs, and providing early evidence-based interventions when a diagnosis is confirmed. The study was part of a comprehensive evaluation designed to assess grantee’s effectiveness in reaching this goal by improving autism spectrum disorder service delivery nationwide. Overall, the evaluation highlighted the efforts of nearly 100 grantees who worked to conduct research, provide professional training, and improve comprehensive coordinated State systems of care for people with autism spectrum disorder.