Dan Cirucci: Christie Appoints Four To State Autism Panel

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Christie Appoints Four To State Autism Panel

Yesterday, Governor Chris Christie named four new members to the Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism. The Council, charged with creating a Center for Excellence, will coordinate research and apply and advance best practices in the understanding, prevention, evaluation and treatment of autism, enhancing the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, they awarded $5 million in basic science research grants to study the causes, triggers and treatment of ASDs. The Council's membership is made up of representatives from academic institutions, autism and healthcare organizations and includes individuals with autism, or family members.

“New Jersey will continue to lead the nation and serve as an example of how the public and private sectors can work together to assist individuals and families affected by autism,” said Governor Chris Christie. “The First Lady and I have worked together to highlight the resources available throughout the state for families, and the Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism will continue to play an important role in autism awareness. Each of these nominees brings a wealth of experience from within the health, direct service and advocacy communities, and will be an invaluable resource. I’d like to thank each of the new members for their willingness to serve and ensure New Jersey remains a leader in autism awareness.”

Governor Christie’s appointments to the Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism include BrosUnitedD (BUD) Mentorship Program co-founder and Program Director Matthew P. Cortland (Marlton, Burlington); retired Superintendent of the Atlantic County Special Services School District Barbara J. Morvay (Northfield, Atlantic); Parents Of Autistic Children (POAC) Executive Director Gary Weitzen (Lakewood, Ocean); and Bancroft Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer Caroline Eggerding, M.D. (Haddonfield, Camden). Each member will serve a 3-year term and will serve without compensation. These direct appointments by the Governor do not require the advice and consent of the New Jersey State Senate.

Autism is a spectrum of disorders that is complex and lifelong. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nationwide, it is estimated that autism occurs in 1 out of every 110 births while in New Jersey, the prevalence rate is reported to be 1 in 94. Most often diagnosed during the first three years of life, autism is four times more prevalent in boys than in girls and affects families of all races, ethnicities and socio-economic groups.

Autism awareness is an advocacy area embraced by First Lady Mary Pat Christie to bring greater understanding of the developmental disability. This March, Governor and Mrs. Christie convened a roundtable discussion at Drumthwacket with parents of children with autism, educators and other key stakeholders.

Last August, the Christie Administration also created the Office on Autism within the Department of Human Services to improve and enhance the services now available within state government. Since the creation of the office, Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez and then Acting Commissioner of Health and Senior Services Mary O’Dowd, joined by Mrs. Christie, unveiled two new State resources, Autism, Navigating through the Maze and its accompanying website, to assist families faced with the diagnosis of autism.

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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