Steve Marcus
Nicole Ann Cavenagh, clinical director of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, poses at Touro University in Henderson Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014. Cavenagh will be honored as one of UNLVs alumni of the year for her efforts in helping families adjust when their child is diagnosed withautism.
By Jackie Valley (contact)
Friday, March 6, 2015 | 2 a.m.
The states Aging and Disability Services Division will make its pitch for increased autism funding to the Nevada Legislature during a budget hearing Friday morning.
The request dovetails with Gov. Brian Sandovals pledge to dramatically boost autism funding, from roughly $1.8 million to $73 million. During his State of the State address in January, Sandoval noted that nearly 6,000 children in Nevada have autism spectrum disorder a group of developmental disabilities characterized by varying degrees of difficulty in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors.
We must meet the needs of these children with early diagnosis and treatment and life-changing consequences, he said.
The Aging and Disability Services Divisions share of that increase would be $28.9 million in the next biennium. Most of the remaining $44.5 million would come from Nevada Medicaid.
Autism advocates say the funding is crucial in a state where services and providers are badly needed. In fact, the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders released its five-year strategic plan in December and identified lack of services as the most significant concern.
We are very excited about the proposed funding increase, said Julie Kotchevar, deputy administrator for the Aging and Disability Services Division, which administers the Autism Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP). Weve seen the need probably more so than anyone.
Read more:
Why investing in autism treatment is seen as crucial for Nevada