GOVERNOR LINGLE SIGNS BILL TO AUTHORIZE $11,672,564 EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND SCHOOL-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

For Immediate Release:  April 19, 2005

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle on April 15 signed a bill (SB778 SD1) to provide an emergency appropriation of $11,672,564 from the fiscal year 2005 general funds budget to pay for services to autistic children ($5,652,754) and to cover costs of increased school-based behavioral health services ($6,019,810).

“These funds will ensure students with the greatest needs receive appropriate services and that the state fulfills its responsibility to serve all students,” said Governor Lingle.

The Lingle-Aiona Administration introduced the measure this legislative session, following an emergency request from the Board of Education to cover an increase in the number of students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  When the administrative and fiscal responsibilities for services to autistic children were transferred to the Department of Education (DOE) from the Department of Health (DOH) in July 2002, the number of children being served was 801.  This number has grown to 1,056 as of October 2004.  Since the initial transfer of $25,450,494 from DOH, the budget has not increased despite the 26.5 percent increase in the population of students with autism.  At the same time, costs for serving these students has also increased.

The emergency appropriation will also be used to pay for increased costs of school-based behavioral health services to 10,668 students.  The funds also will pay for increased costs of school services provided to children covered by the Felix Consent Decree who are not able to participate in classroom-based activities.

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus  
Senior Advisor – Communications  
Phone:  586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043