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Advocates urge preservation of state funding for North Dakota FASD center
Summary
Family Services Network told the Senate panel that the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) diagnostic center at UND requires continued funding in the budget (about $859,000 cited in testimony) to maintain diagnostic capacity and clinical expertise as the center's lead clinician plans to retire.
Carl Young, executive director of Family Services Network, told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division the state should preserve existing funding for the University of North Dakota Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) center which provides diagnostic capacity and clinical evaluation.
Young said the center's lead clinician, "Doctor Larry Byrd, is retiring from clinic work, and that means a replacement will need to be found, to continue the work that he is doing." He asked the panel to keep the funding in the proposed budget at the current level cited in testimony (reported to him as about $859,000) to maintain in‑state diagnostic services.
Why it matters: Young described the long-term care and social costs associated with FASD, noting that accurate diagnosis is necessary to channel support services and reduce avoidable institutionalization. He urged the committee to preserve the appropriation so families do not have to seek diagnosis out of state.
Testimony details: Young described the diagnostic process as intensive and said diagnostic services do not flow to his agency; they remain at the center. He recommended a study of FASD prevalence in correctional settings, suggesting those data could identify additional needs for diagnosis and services.
Ending: Young asked the committee to maintain the center's current appropriation in the budget so in‑state diagnosis and clinical expertise remain available; no committee vote or action occurred during the hearing.
