HHS Launches First National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert Initiative

ROCHESTER, MN — AUGUST 21, 2026 — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. today announced the development of the first-ever National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert initiative. Led by HHS in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the initiative will work to strengthen coordination among emergency management agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and community partners nationwide to improve preparedness and response when autistic individuals are reported missing. It will also establish a national framework of best practices to address the leading causes of preventable injury and death among autistic individuals, which include accidental drowning linked to wandering and elopement.

“When an autistic child or adult goes missing, every minute matters,” said Secretary Kennedy. “President Trump has made improving the lives of Americans with autism and their families a priority. We are bringing federal, state, and local partners together to improve prevention, speed the response, and help bring autistic children and adults home safely.”

“Protecting vulnerable Americans is a core responsibility of the Department of Justice, and we are proud to join HHS and FEMA in launching this first‑ever National Autism Missing Person Alert initiative,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This effort will help law enforcement and emergency responders act quickly and effectively when an autistic individual goes missing, strengthening coordination and saving lives. Families deserve to know that when every minute matters, their government is working together to bring their loved ones home safely.”

“Under President Trump’s leadership, DHS is proud to work alongside Secretary Kennedy and HHS to help communities respond faster and more effectively when autistic individuals go missing,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “FEMA’s role is to support coordination across emergency management, law enforcement, first responders, and community partners so local officials have the tools and relationships they need before an incident occurs. This initiative is about preparedness, rapid response, and protecting vulnerable Americans when every minute counts.”

In addition to the National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert initiative, HHS is also releasing a broad set of coordinated actions designed to improve the safety, healthcare, and services available to individuals with autism across all stages of life.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Toolkit for state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) officials. The toolkit is intended to help states improve quality-care while ensuring taxpayer resources are used effectively to deliver evidence-based care. The toolkit provides states with guidance on best practices for implementing high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, promoting appropriate utilization of evidence-based ABA, strengthening program integrity and oversight, and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in ABA service delivery. CMS will reach out to state Medicaid directors regarding relevant initiatives, as appropriate. 

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is launching several initiatives to strengthen healthcare for individuals with autism by improving clinical training and expanding access to care. These efforts include increasing graduate training focused on recognizing diagnostic overshadowing and co-occurring medical conditions. HRSA will also be working with the Health Center Program to improve services for individuals with autism. These efforts are designed to improve early recognition of medical conditions, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and increase access to comprehensive, high-quality care.

During its April 28, 2026, meeting, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) approved several recommendations that complement these broader Trump Administration initiatives, including:

• Enhanced screening for co-occurring medical conditions.
• Development of federal guidance addressing wandering and elopement.
• Advancing a proposal to establish a “Profound Autism” designation to improve research and service planning for individuals with the highest support needs.
• Creation of new working groups focused on communication, medical research priorities, and lifespan supports.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism affects approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States, underscoring the need for continued federal support.

Together, these actions announced today represent the Trump Administration’s most comprehensive efforts yet to improve outcomes for autistic individuals and their families through coordinated federal leadership.

View the Fact Sheet regarding today’s announcement.

For more information, visit www.hhs.gov/autism.