September 26, 2023 | For Immediate Release

HHS Announces Appointment of New IACC Members to Fill Vacancies

Xavier Becerra, J.D., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has appointed two new members to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). The IACC is a federal advisory committee composed of public stakeholders and federal officials that coordinates federal activities and provides advice to the HHS Secretary on issues related to autism. Committee meetings serve as a public forum to share community perspectives and concerns about autism and relevant issues. The Committee uses this input as it formulates advice and recommendations for the HHS Secretary on matters related to autism research, services, and policy. The Committee's responsibilities include developing and annually updating the IACC Strategic Plan and preparing an annual Summary of Advances in Autism Research.

Secretary Becerra has selected two new members to fill vacant positions on the IACC: Camille Proctor, Founder and Executive Director of the Color of Autism Foundation and parent of a child on the autism spectrum, and Thomas W. Frazier, Ph.D., a parent of a young adult son on the autism spectrum, clinical psychologist, autism researcher, and member of the Autism Speaks Board of Directors. Dr. Frazier is a Professor of Psychology at John Carroll University and research professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at SUNY-Upstate. Ms. Proctor and Dr. Frazier were selected from the original pool of nominations received during an open call for IACC nominations in 2019. The newly appointed members will serve on the Committee until the expiration of the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2019 in September 2024.