Nixon releases funds for new autism center

The center had previously been on hold.

By Eva Dou

Published Feb. 13, 2009

Gov. Jay Nixon visited MU's Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders on Thursday to announce the release of $5 million for a new autism facility that was previously on hold.

The money had been appropriated for the center in the fiscal year 2009 capital improvement budget, but when a budget shortfall of $261 million was projected in January, the governor put all pending capital improvement projects on hold. Funding for certain projects is now being released.

As for why the Thompson center was chosen over other projects to receive its capital improvement funding, Nixon said the center's service to the state's children made it a clear choice.

"The Thompson Center is known throughout the region for providing high-quality care and support for children with autism and their families," Nixon said. "An expanded, updated facility will help the Thompson Center provide services for even more Missourians. This project is a long-term investment in the people of our state, and I'm pleased that we can make these financial resources available."

Launched in 2005, the center is the largest in Missouri specializing in autism and other developmental disorders. It sees over 1,700 patients a year while also supporting research and professional training.

Academic programs Director Janet Farmer spoke of the strides that had been made and the need for expansion.

"We've seen children grow dramatically here, going from non-verbal to conversational," she said.

James Poehling, the Thompson Center's executive director, said the money would go toward building a larger facility and improving the telemedicine technology and classrooms. The facility is currently at capacity.

"We're excited about the ability to care for more kids and families," Poehling said. "We have some ideas. We're looking at properties."

Cyndy Mehrer, a nurse manager at the center, said an expanded telemedicine network would reach more patients in areas far from a specialty center. Through a TV screen, she can talk to patients in 150 sites and 50 counties statewide.

"If you were five hours from the clinic and you had a child who was having problems, it might not be safe to drive five hours with that child," she said. "This way it's safer, and plus, you save gas."

Before his announcement, Nixon and his wife Georganne toured the facility with the center's directors. Columbia Reps. Mary Still and Chris Kelly were also present.

"This is a major development and I'm pleased with the Governor's decision," Kelly said.

As the review process for the state's other capital improvement projects is completed over the next few days, Nixon will release a full list of those projects that will receive their 2009 funds.

The capital improvement fund is unrelated to the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative fund, which was supposed to fund 30 projects across the state with money from the sale of Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority assets.

Several of the MOHELA projects, including the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center at MU, are on hold. Nixon said he does not see prospects for funding the Ellis Fischel center in the short-term future.