Political figures, university officials attend Southeast Missouri State autism center grand opening

Months after opening, Southeast Missouri State University's new Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment got its welcoming reception.

A crowd that included autism advocates, state legislators and university officials gathered for a grand opening Wednesday. They touted collaboration efforts and the new services the center brings to the region.

During the event, Gov. Jay Nixon praised the efforts of the new center, which was funded through the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. Nixon also signed ceremonial copies of the legislation passed in May to require insurance coverage of autism. He called the legislation historic and said it would open the center to thousands of additional families.

"This is not icing on the cake," he said of the bill. "This is the cake."

Officials broke ground on the $2.6 million facility on North Fountain Street in January 2009. Five days later, the center's construction was delayed along with 29 other projects funded through MOHELA.

Nixon later released funding for 18 MOHELA projects, including the autism center. It also receives $494,000 in operating funds from the Department of Mental Health.

The facility, which opened in January, includes Southeast, Touchpoint Autism Services, the Tailor Institute and the Thompson Center. Together, the organizations provide diagnosis and treatment services at several age levels.

"From the beginning Southeast Missouri State University sought collaboration," said center director Connie Hebert.

She said the center has completed 35 assessments and that another 30 are being processed.

"I know we will be busy well into the future," she said.

State Sen. Jason Crowell, a Cape Girardeau Republican who helped with the project, said it was a long journey but that the center will continue to help many people.

"It survived two governors," he said. "It survived tough, tough economic times in the state of Missouri, but its champions were always there."

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

Gov. Jay Nixon chats with Mayor Harry Rediger and his wife, Fran Rediger, Wednesday, July 7, 2010 while touring Southeast Missouri State University's new Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment. (Fred Lynch)

611 N. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau MO