GREAT FALLS — Thanks to a generous grant from Montana’s largest health insurance company, Albion Health Foundation has taken another step toward establishing a state-of-the-art mobile autism clinic.
The $50,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana is expected to be the impetus for Albion Health to secure a mobile autism clinic similar to their current mobile medical clinic.
“The goal is to provide autism treatment services and ultimately diagnostic services and reduce wait times and the need for them,” said Theresa Schreiner, executive director of Albion Health Foundation.
By eliminating two years of waiting for services and reducing annual medical costs by approximately $60,000, the mobile clinic will have a significant impact on children and families in medically underserved areas of north-central Montana, Albion Health Foundation said in a press release.
The highly competitive grant means Albion has received about 70 percent of its goal, but there is still about $90,000 left to raise for Schreiner’s much-needed services.
“Nationwide, about 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, but this number is believed to be a huge underestimate,” Schreiner said, “and it’s really due to a lack of access to services and diagnosis.”
In Montana, the test is available only in Billings and Missoula, where wait times are roughly two years.
“Once diagnosed, there’s an additional year-long waiting list to get the specific treatment that children need,” Schreiner says, “so early intervention helps shorten the wait time, which leads to better developmental outcomes.”
The grant is part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana’s Big Blue Sky Initiative program, which has awarded more than $2 million since 2014. In a statement, the organization said, “Healthcare is deeply personal and community-based by nature. In a state where rural residents often travel long distances to receive care, Albion stands out for its ability to bring care to Montanans where they need it.”
Initially, the mobile autism clinic will address immediate needs in the Albion service area, providing primary medical care before departing.
“The beauty of a clinic this size is that we can drive up to people’s homes, park right there and provide treatment and therapy at the clinic,” Schreiner said.
