[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67747-67748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28375]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee; Call for Nominations

    In accordance with Public Law 112-32, The Combating Autism 
Reauthorization Act the Department of Health and Human Services has 
been authorized to continue to support the Interagency Autism 
Coordinating Committee (IACC) until September 30, 2014 and is seeking 
nominations for public membership on this committee. The Secretary of 
the Department of Health and Human Services, who will make the final 
selections and appointments of public members, has directed the Office 
of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) to assist the Department in 
conducting an open and transparent nomination process. Nominations of 
new public members are encouraged, but current members may also be re-
nominated to continue to serve. Self-nominations and nominations of 
other individuals are both permitted. Only one nomination per 
individual is required. Multiple nominations for the same individual 
will not increase likelihood of selection. The Secretary may select 
public members from the pool of submitted

[[Page 67748]]

nominations and other sources as needed to meet statutory requirements 
and to form a balanced committee that represents the diversity within 
the community (details below). Those eligible for nomination include 
leaders or representatives of major autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 
research, advocacy and service organizations, parents or guardians of 
individuals with ASD, individuals on the autism spectrum, providers, 
educators, researchers and other individuals with professional or 
personal experience with ASD. In accordance with White House Office of 
Management and Budget guidelines (FR Doc. 2011-25736), federally-
registered lobbyists are not eligible. As specified in Public Law 109-
416, which has been extended by Public Law 112-32, the Committee will 
carry out the following responsibilities: (a) Develop a summary of 
advances in autism spectrum disorder research supported or conducted by 
the Federal agencies relevant to causes, prevention, treatment, early 
screening, diagnosis or rule out, intervention, and access to services 
and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; (b) monitor 
Federal activities with respect to autism spectrum disorder; (c) make 
recommendations to the Secretary regarding any appropriate changes to 
such activities, including recommendations to the Director of NIH with 
respect to the strategic plan; (d) make recommendations to the 
Secretary regarding public participation in decisions relating to 
autism spectrum disorder; (e) develop and annually update a strategic 
plan for the conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder 
research, including proposed budgetary requirements.
    In accordance with Public Law 109-416, which has been extended by 
Public Law 112-32, ``Not fewer than 6 members of the Committee, or 1/3 
of the total membership of the Committee, whichever is greater, shall 
be composed of non-Federal public members appointed by the Secretary, 
of which--(a) at least one such member shall be an individual with a 
diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; (b) at least one such member 
shall be a parent or legal guardian of an individual with an autism 
spectrum disorder; and (c) at least one such member shall be a 
representative of leading research, advocacy, and service organizations 
for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.''
    Public members of the Committee shall serve for a term of 4 years, 
and may be reappointed for one or more additional 4 year terms. Any 
member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be 
appointed for the remainder of such term. A member may serve after the 
expiration of the member's term until a successor has taken office. 
Public members will serve as Special Government Employees. The 
Committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson or upon the request 
of the Secretary. The Committee shall meet not fewer than 2 times each 
year.
    In 2008-2011, the Committee held an average of 15 meetings, 
workshops and phone conferences per year. Travel expenses are provided 
for Committee members to facilitate attendance at in-person meetings.
    The Department strives to ensure that the membership of HHS Federal 
advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points of view 
represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made to 
ensure that the views of women, all ethnic and racial groups, and 
people with disabilities are represented on HHS Federal advisory 
committees and, therefore, the Department encourages nominations of 
qualified candidates from these groups. The Department also encourages 
geographic diversity in the composition of the Committee. Appointment 
to this Committee shall be made without discrimination on the basis of 
age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and 
cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Requests for reasonable 
accommodation to enable participation on the Committee should be 
indicated in the nomination submission. Nominations are due by COB 
November 30, 2011 and may be sent to Dr. Susan Daniels, Acting 
Director, Office of Autism Research Coordination/NIMH/NIH, 6001 
Executive Boulevard, Room 8185, Bethesda MD 20892-2190 by standard or 
express mail, or via email to [email protected]. 
Nominations should include a cover letter of no longer than 3 pages 
describing the candidate's interest in seeking appointment to the IACC, 
including relevant personal and professional experience with ASD, as 
well as contact information and a current curriculum vitae or resume. 
Please do not include additional materials unless requested. More 
information about the IACC is available at http://www.iacc.hhs.gov.

    Dated: October 27, 2011.
Susan A. Daniels,
Acting Director, Office of Autism Research Coordination, National 
Institute of Mental Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-28375 Filed 11-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P