KOAM TV 7 Joplin and PittsburgGovernor thanks Autism Center staff for work since tornado

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited the Ozark Center for Autism today to applaud workers for providing services while recovering and rebuilding after the tornado.

The autism building was one of eight Ozark Center buildings damaged or destroyed by the May 22 tornado.

Since then the Autism Center has been renting space from The Bridge in Joplin.

Governor Nixon says the move has ensured quality care.

"This is delivering a pathway to a whole different life for people," says Governor Nixon.  "The little part that we in public service had to provide the income stream, this is exactly what we wanted.  We wanted to have an indefatigable effort to make sure these kids had the best chance they could to live up to their God-given potential."

In 2010 the state passed a law requiring insurance companies to provide up to $40,000 a year in applied behavioral analysis costs for kids until age 18.