Governor Signs Order to Support Adults with Profound Autism

08:18AM / Sunday, April 05, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Ahead of Autism Awareness Month, Governor Maura Healey signed an Executive Order to establish a statewide strategy to better support adults with profound autism, or adults who are over 22 years old with diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and require 24-hour support and assistance due to a significant intellectual disabilities and limited or no language skills.

The Executive Order aims to improve coordination across state agencies, promote innovation and advance outcomes for adults with profound autism and their families.

Adults with profound autism and intellectual developmental disabilities represent a highly vulnerable and growing population in Massachusetts.

"Massachusetts is committed to care and support for all. This executive order will strengthen coordination across agencies and help ensure that adults with profound autism and their families receive the support they need," said Governor Healey. "I look forward to appointing individuals representing families, providers, clinicians and advocates who bring deep expertise and lived experience to this work."

The Executive Order establishes an advisory council led by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, with designees from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Executive Office of Administration and Finance, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, Medicaid Director, and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. Governor Healey will also appoint up to 10 additional members representing families, clinicians, providers and advocates with expertise in supporting adults with profound autism.

The advisory council will develop recommendations focused on:

Reporting on the prevalence of adults with profound autism in Massachusetts;
Strengthening coordination across state systems serving adults with profound autism, including reviewing eligibility requirements across service systems;
Promoting person-centered, strengths-based approaches that recognize the needs of adults with profound autism;
Identifying opportunities to improve access to stable housing, health care, community-based services, and meaningful daily activities;
Encouraging innovative residential living and service models that support safety, stability, and quality of life;
Improving the use of data to better understand population needs, service utilization, outcomes, and efficient use of state resources over time;
Supporting a sustainable and well-trained workforce responsive to level of care and support needs; and
Informing future policy and budget planning in a manner consistent with the state’s long-term fiscal responsibility.

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires
05:29PM / Monday, August 24, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue.

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry.

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer.

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday.

The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings.

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote.

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
Attempted murder
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

Attempted murder
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday.

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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