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ADSD projects 12% autism program caseload increase; lawmakers ask about provider capacity
Summary
The Aging and Disability Services Division projected a roughly 12% caseload increase for the Autism Treatment Assistance Program over the next biennium; agency staff said they are working to expand provider capacity but acknowledged waitlists and regional access are ongoing concerns.
Dina Schmidt and staff presented the Autism Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP) budget to the Joint Subcommittee on Human Services, saying the program supports applied behavior analysis and other therapies for children under 18 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and projects a 12% caseload increase for the upcoming biennium.
During Q&A, Deputy Administrator Ricky Robb said the division is working to increase provider capacity but could not guarantee that the projected increase would be fully met by current providers. Robb noted that staffing and service-coordination positions help connect families to providers as they come online. In committee questioning, staff provided a snapshot of program numbers: testimony said 77 children were active in a particular service category with 334 waiting — figures given by staff during questioning about wait lists and capacity.
Lawmakers asked whether the recommended caseload staffing would reduce wait times and how case managers and supervisors will help families find providers. Robb said improved service coordination and additional staffing would support families in finding appropriate services but acknowledged that provider availability remains a limiting factor.
No final funding decisions were made at the hearing.
