This summer, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation to allocate resources to help children with disabilities who are at risk of elopement and wandering.
S-2614, Kevin and Avonte’s Law, is named in honor nine-year old Kevin Willis and 14-year old Avonte Oquendo, both of who drown after wandering from caregivers.
The bipartisan bill applies community alert systems now used to help locate people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and related disorders who may be susceptible to wandering. It also allows for Justice Department grants to facilitate training and emergency protocols for school personnel, supply first responders with additional information and resources, and make locating technology programs available for individuals who may wander from safety.
The measure also authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to provide grants to law enforcement agencies to pay for electronic tracking devices for those with developmental disabilities who are prone to bolting.
According to a recent national survey, nearly 1/3 of school-aged children with autism have wandered from the safety of caregivers.
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