Press release from the office of Sen. Kit Bond
U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that he secured $750,000 in federal funds for the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri (MU).
“Local and community leaders in Missouri asked me to help send some of their tax dollars back home for local priorities,” said Senator Kit Bond. “I’m proud to support these funds that will help improve the lives of children and families across Missouri.”
“This generous allocation is the latest example of Senator Bond’s unwavering support for Missouri children and families,” said Jim Poehling, Executive Director of the Thompson Center at MU. “The University of Missouri Thompson Center pledges to use its best efforts to apply these funds for the enhancement of research, education and clinical care for Missourians affected by autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.”
Autism is a complex brain disorder that has increased in prevalence at an alarming rate over the past 20 years. Currently, approximately 23,000 individuals in Missouri are affected and many more experience other developmental disorders. This funding will help improve the lives of Missouri children and families living with autism and neurodevelopment disorders. Bond secured the $750,000 in funds in the 2010 omnibus spending bill, which passed the U.S. Senate yesterday to provide for construction, renovation and equipment costs for the Thompson Center and help meet the growing needs of children living with autism.
Established in 2005, the Thompson Center is a facility which accommodates research, training and service programs to help meet the needs of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. MU obtained $5.65 million in funding to purchase a new facility to accommodate the expanding number of individuals in Missouri suffering from the disease and other disorders. The funds Bond secured will also help advance the ability of faculty at the center to serve more Missouri children and families, while enhancing MU’s national reputation for high-quality research.
Serving 1,700 individuals over the past year, the Thompson Center is the largest center in Missouri specializing in autism spectrum disorders. For more information, please visit the MU Thompson Center website at http://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/
