Arizona Approves $9.6 million for Autism Research, Services
The Arizona Legislature and Governor Janet Napolitano recently approved two separate measures bringing a total of $9.6 million to autism research and support services.
One measure, Arizona Senate Bill 1355 appropriated $7.1 million to fund autism research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute. TGEN is part of an ongoing joint research collaboration between TGen and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, or SARRC. The money will help fund research aimed at producing an early diagnostic test to identify children at-risk for autism and, moreover, what type of autism an at-risk child might eventually develop.
The state-appropriated funds are a launching point for securing future funding for a proposed $50 million Arizona Autism Research Initiative designed to not only improve early detection and subclassification, but also provide new medicines for autism based on a firm understanding of who will get it, what form an affected individual has, and what causes it.
“Arizona has decided to focus on this area as a way to make the biggest impact against the disorder in the shortest amount of time, based upon our area of competence. Not only is this a unique opportunity that will benefit those locally and statewide, but nationally as well,” said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen president and scientific director.
“TGen and SARRC will address early diagnostic testing with laser-like focus with these funds,” said Dr. Dietrich Stephan, director of Neurogenomics at TGen and head of the autism research program. “Earlier diagnosis allows early interventions, which we know will improve the outcomes of patients with this devastating disorder. Our larger initiative, for which we are still seeking funds, will allow development of new, highly effective medicines.”
Leaders from TGen and SARRC, as well as family members whose lives are personally affected by autism, presented testimony at each Health and Appropriations committee hearing. Members of the full Senate and House favorably approved SB1355, which was signed by Governor Janet Napolitano on June 21, 2006.
A second bill, Arizona House Bill 2371, represents a total appropriation of $2.5 million for autism support services. This funding will allow the Department of Health Services and the Department of Economic Security to contract with qualified providers for the provision of early intervention services, intensive behavioral treatment, and training and oversight of habilitation workers.
SARRC believes the funding will help to increase programming capacity for those affected by autism and will also improve the quality of service they receive. HB 2371 is a pivotal step in the effort to ensure that children in Arizona receive much-needed support services in early childhood.
One measure, Arizona Senate Bill 1355 appropriated $7.1 million to fund autism research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute. TGEN is part of an ongoing joint research collaboration between TGen and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, or SARRC. The money will help fund research aimed at producing an early diagnostic test to identify children at-risk for autism and, moreover, what type of autism an at-risk child might eventually develop.
The state-appropriated funds are a launching point for securing future funding for a proposed $50 million Arizona Autism Research Initiative designed to not only improve early detection and subclassification, but also provide new medicines for autism based on a firm understanding of who will get it, what form an affected individual has, and what causes it.
“Arizona has decided to focus on this area as a way to make the biggest impact against the disorder in the shortest amount of time, based upon our area of competence. Not only is this a unique opportunity that will benefit those locally and statewide, but nationally as well,” said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen president and scientific director.
“TGen and SARRC will address early diagnostic testing with laser-like focus with these funds,” said Dr. Dietrich Stephan, director of Neurogenomics at TGen and head of the autism research program. “Earlier diagnosis allows early interventions, which we know will improve the outcomes of patients with this devastating disorder. Our larger initiative, for which we are still seeking funds, will allow development of new, highly effective medicines.”
Leaders from TGen and SARRC, as well as family members whose lives are personally affected by autism, presented testimony at each Health and Appropriations committee hearing. Members of the full Senate and House favorably approved SB1355, which was signed by Governor Janet Napolitano on June 21, 2006.
A second bill, Arizona House Bill 2371, represents a total appropriation of $2.5 million for autism support services. This funding will allow the Department of Health Services and the Department of Economic Security to contract with qualified providers for the provision of early intervention services, intensive behavioral treatment, and training and oversight of habilitation workers.
SARRC believes the funding will help to increase programming capacity for those affected by autism and will also improve the quality of service they receive. HB 2371 is a pivotal step in the effort to ensure that children in Arizona receive much-needed support services in early childhood.
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