The Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center at California State University, Northridge is hosting three workshops in the next two months to help members of public understand the ramifications of SB 946, the state’s new autism insurance law.

The new law, which went into effect July 1, requires insurers in California to cover medically necessary behavioral intervention services for individuals with autism.

“People have a lot of questions about SB 946 and how it will be implemented,” said Victoria Berrey, program manager of CSUN’s Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center. “We hope that these workshops will help families and the professionals that work with them understand the law and how it works.”

Among those taking part in the workshops will be Fran Goldfarb of USC’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Her work has been adopted by the Senate’s Select Committee on Autism as a resource for parents and professionals. Also taking part will be representatives from the North Los Angeles County Regional Center, which provides support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities, who will answer questions about how SB 946 is being implemented in the area.

The first workshop is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 4, from 9–10:30 a.m. in the conference room of the Regional Center’s Santa Clarita offices at 28470 Avenue Stanford. To RSVP for that workshop, call (661) 294-9715.

The second workshop is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at the conference room of the Regional Center’s Lancaster offices at 43210 Gingham Ave. To RSVP for that workshop, call (661) 945-9598.

The final workshop will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 6–8 p.m. in Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch Englander’s Office at 9207 Oakdale Ave. in Chatsworth. To RSVP for that workshop, call (818) 677-6852.

The same information will be presented at all three workshops.

For additional information or questions, call the Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center at (818) 677-6854 or visit its website at www.csunfamilyfocus.com.

The Family Focus Resource Center (FFRC), housed in Cal State Northridge’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education, is an information, referral, support and education organization serving families of infants at-risk for developmental delays, children and adults with developmental disabilities, and professionals that care for them in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

The FFRC’s staff works with CSUN faculty and students to promote awareness in the community and education system of children and adults with special needs. The center collaborates with the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, Los Angeles Unified School District and the Special Education Local Planning Area of the Santa Clarita Valley to provide timely referrals for assessments or resources.

Community, Michael D. Eisner College of Education