Birth to Three
What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention in Washington State is a collection of services families may need for their infants or toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays. Early Intervention during the first years of a child's life can make a big difference in the future of that child. Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP) and services for children, birth to three, include:
- Evaluation of a child's strengths and needs;
- Family Resources Coordination (Service coordination);
- Appropriate developmental/educational services including special therapies (e.g., physical, occupational, speech and language);
- Home visits, family training, and counseling and
- Transition supports to pre-school special education services at age 3 (if needed).
How many children are receiving birth to three early intervention?
7,436 children, birth to three, and their families received ITEIP services from October 2004 through September 2005.
Program Coordination
- State Coordination: DSHS is the state lead agency. ITEIP within DSHS coordinates the state birth to three early intervention program in partnership with local lead agencies and community resources.
- State Interagency Coordination: A State Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with disabilities is appointed by the Governor to advise and assist the State Lead Agency, DSHS, and partnering state agencies in the state ITEIP. The Council has representation of families, providers and all state agencies.
- Local Coordination: There are local lead agencies in each county geographic area to coordinate the birth to three early intervention program that best meets the needs of their communities.
- County Interagency Coordination: A County Interagency Coordinating Council is supported by the local lead agency and together they coordinate a birth to three community system of care. This Council has representation of families, local agencies, and providers.
Program Funding
- Federal Dollars: ITEIP / DSHS administers IDEA Part C federal dollars to coordinate a statewide system and serves as payor of last resort. These federal dollars are then contracted to the local lead agencies for direct birth to three ITEIP services.
- Medicaid: Over 70% of ITIEP children are Medicaid eligible. Medicaid covers medically necessary services.
- Private Insurance: Covers some services for children whose families have private insurance.
- State DDD: State DDD birth to three funding is administered by counties whose per child funding levels vary. Only 2/3 of all counties allocate these funds to birth to three programs.
- School Districts: Approximately 60% of school districts participate in the early intervention program.
New Legislation House Bill 1107
By September 1, 2009, each school district shall provide or contract for early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities
from birth to three years of age. Eligibility shall be determined according to Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act and as specified in the Washington Administrative Code. School districts shall provide or contract for early intervention services in partnership with local birth-to-three lead agencies and birth to three providers. Services provided under this section shall not supplant services or funding currently provided in the state for early intervention services to eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age. The state-designated birth-to-three lead agency shall be payor of last resort for birth-to-three early intervention services provided under this section. (Sec. 2 PSHB 1107)