Notice Number: NOT-MH-08-021
Key Dates
Release Date: August 20, 2008
Response Date: September 30, 2008
Issued by
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (http://www.nimh.nih.gov)
Description
On behalf of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the NIMH is seeking comments1 on the IACC Draft Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research.
Background
The Combating Autism Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-416) re-established the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) and requires that the IACC develop and annually update a strategic plan for ASD research, including proposed budgetary requirements. The IACC includes Federal and public members who are active in the area of ASD research funding, services, or advocacy. One IACC member has an ASD and several IACC members have family members with an ASD. Driven by both the sense of urgency and a spirit of collaboration, the IACC developed an initial draft Strategic Plan for ASD Research, which is focused on the unique needs of individuals with ASD and their families, as well as other consumers of these efforts. The draft Strategic Plan was developed through extensive and iterative input from members of the public, academic, and advocacy communities. The draft Strategic Plan does not include cost estimates for implementation. However, the IACC has formed a Strategic Planning Implementation Workgroup to advise the IACC about the budgetary requirements needed to complete and fulfill the research objectives described in draft Strategic Plan and to identify the agencies and organizations that will be accountable for launching research initiatives -- for open competition and peer-review -- to achieve the objectives outlined in the draft Strategic Plan.
The draft Strategic Plan is organized in two main sections. First, the foundation of the plan - vision, mission, core values, and crosscutting themes – is described. The remainder of the plan is organized around six critical questions asked by individuals and families living with ASD. At its next meeting on November 21, 2008, the IACC will review and discuss the public comments received on the draft and the workgroup’s recommendations regarding implementing the plan.
Information Requested
The IACC welcomes your comments on the draft Strategic Plan for ASD Research. The draft plan can be accessed at the following website:http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/iacc/strategic-plan/2008/iacc-strategic-plan-august-2008.pdf
Please organize your comments by the sections of the draft Strategic Plan:
Introductory Material (including the Introduction, Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Core Values and Cross-Cutting Themes)
I: When Should I Be Concerned?
II: How Can I Understand What Is Happening?
III: What Caused This To Happen And Can This Be Prevented?
IV: Which Treatments And Interventions Will Help?
V: Where Can I Turn For Services?
VI: What Does The Future Hold?
Development Process for the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
References
How to Submit a Response
Responses will be accepted until September 30, 2008 via email to [email protected]. Please limit your response to two pages (approximately 1,000 words) and mark it with the RFI identifier NOT-MH-08-021 in the subject line. You will receive an email confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. The collected information will be reviewed by the IACC, may appear in reports, and shared publicly on the IACC website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/recurring-meetings/iacc/index.shtml.
Inquiries
Inquiries regarding this notice may be directed to:
Attention: Strategic Plan for ASD Research RFI
Office of the Director
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8235, MSC 9669
Bethesda, MD 20892-9669
Email: [email protected]
No basis for claims against the NIH shall arise as a result of a response to this RFI, or from the NIH’s use of such information.
This RFI is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation for applications or an obligation on the part of the government. The government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the government’s use of that information.
and Human Services (HHS)
