Thursday, May 31, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt’s Leadership Results in Doubling of Funding for Families Struggling with Autism
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today visited Autism centers across the state to announce the successful effort to more than double the funding for Missouri families facing Autism. The funding is a result of the governor’s call to significantly increase funding to treat and diagnose autism, originally outlined in his State of the State Address.
“Missouri’s new state budget is providing vital funding that focuses state resources to improve the lives of Missouri families struggling with Autism,” Gov. Blunt said. “Autism has a profound impact on Missouri families and this critical funding will help raise awareness about Autism and provide greater treatment options to better the lives of children.”
The state’s newest budget includes the governor’s recommendation of $3.9 million in additional state funding to focus on improvements to Autism treatment and diagnosis. The funding is included in House Bill 10.
“We are very appreciative of the Governor’s commitment to this innovative pre-school program for children with Autism. This funding will provide gold standard care to children and families in Missouri. With the incidence of Autism skyrocketing, this is a issue of national concern,” said Paula F. Baker, CEO of the Ozark Center.
“Southeast Missouri State University would like to thank Governor Blunt for including the Autism Center in the Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative. There is a great need for this center in Southeast Missouri for Autism to be diagnosed in the region’s children so that treatment can begin. Our next goal is to develop a conceptual plan over the next several months to determine how the Autism Center that will be funded by Governor Blunt’s plan might best serve the citizens of Southeast Missouri,” said Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University.
“We are very grateful for Governor Blunt’s focus on funding for early diagnosis of Autism. This funding will enable Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Developmental and Behavioral Sciences Section to expedite evaluations for the youngest children on our wait list,” said Dr. Michele Kilo, Developmental Pediatrician and Chief, Section of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences.
“Governor Blunt’s proposal to increase funding for Autism services and training and the Legislature’s passage of his initiative will have a significant impact for the children of Missouri, their families, and professionals caring for them in communities throughout the state,” said Dr. Monica H. Ultmann, Medical Director for Knights of Columbus Developmental Center Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
The significant increase for Autism funding more than doubles current state spending to aid families faced with the disease. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the 6th most prevalent disability and the second most common developmental disability in the United States. Missouri currently serves more than 4,200 young Missourians with an ASD diagnosis across their lifespan. The new state budget will provide:
- $500,000 to create an intensive day treatment program at the Ozark Center in Joplin, the first of its kind in Missouri
- $2.4 million to reduce the waitlist for Autism diagnosis and treatment by expanding staff and training
- $1 million for Missouri’s Autism projects
The $1 million increase for Autism projects will be divided equally among the state’s five regional areas. The money will allow regions to eliminate or address waitlists of children in line for Autism assessments or services. Projects include the Central Missouri Autism Project, Southeast Missouri Autism Project, Northwest Missouri Autism Project, Southwest Missouri Autism Project, and East Missouri Autism Project.
All of the regional projects have been developed by parents and other family members of young Missourians with Autism, and all are monitored by Parent Advisory Committees. The committees will help determine how best to use the funds allocated to their region. Representatives from the five regional projects also collaborate to develop statewide policies to ensure project unity, communication and coordination with other agencies.
In addition, another budget bill, House Bill 16 will provide $2.6 million to be used to construct a new state-of-the-art learning center at Southeast Missouri State University to diagnose and treat Missourians who suffer from Autism.