May 24, 2012
PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Gov. Steve Beshear visited the newly created Highlands Center for Autism, in Prestonsburg, Ky. Tuesday afternoon.
The center was made possible by a $360,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
The center operates as a year-round private day school and accepts students from earliest diagnosis through school age. The school currently accommodates seven students with plans for further expansion to accommodate 50 students and provide 50 jobs.
The ARC funding has been utilized to purchase necessary equipment required for the center, including a new playground system; a small passenger van for student transportation; IT equipment; a security and monitoring system; educational equipment and supplies; and classroom and office furnishings. Outreach services include an informational newsletter and website information updates on the status of program capacity development.
“Well I'll tell you what it really means to the parents, and there were some parents here today at this announcement and you could tell how meaningful this is personally to them because their child now can be treated here at home and worked with here at home and developed right here at home instead of having to send that child off some place," said Governor Steve Beshear.
“Autism is on the rise in Eastern Kentucky and all of Central Appalachia,” said Department for Local Government Commissioner and ARC alternate Tony Wilder. “
“I know the center will put it to great use and add to the wonderful care that is already making a world of difference in these children’s lives,” said House Speaker Greg Stumbo of Prestonsburg.
“The Appalachian Regional Commission grants are doing exactly what they are designed to do for us here in Eastern Kentucky,” said Sen. Johnny Ray Turner of Prestonsburg.
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