ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A local organization has been laying the groundwork for a plan to address the needs of individuals living with autism in Rochester.

Lawana Jones is a mother of an autistic daughter and president of the Autism Council of Rochester. Last November, the council, along with the Monroe County Office of Mental Health, kicked off a countywide task force.

The team focused on six key areas, with safety at the top of the list. Jones says one of the recommendations would address autistic children who are prone to wander. 

"We have a protocol in place here in the package that they can use to set up things like a grid, so if the child were to go missing, working with law enforcement, we already have a pre-acknowledged grid that we would search, things like that," said Jones. 

Final recommendations will be presented to county leaders next month. A resource guide will also be made available for families and caregivers.