Virginia’s Early Intervention System

1. Infant & Toddler Connection of VirginiaEarly Intervention SystemPresentation forFinancing Systems WorkshopOSEP National Early Childhood ConferenceWashington D.C.November 1, 2003

2. Virginia’s Early Intervention System • Number of children served 4,743 • % Children Medicaid eligible 40% • Eligibility definition broad (25% delay in one or more developmental areas) • Local autonomy Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

3. Virginia’s Challenges • Inconsistent knowledge and use of available interagency resources, private & public funding • Continued barriers to accessing public funding sources and EI private insurance benefits Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

4. Virginia’ Priorities • To maximize the use of available funding, such that all eligible children & families will receive the early intervention services to which they are entitled under Part C of IDEA Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

5. How Will We Know It When We See It? All eligible children & families have reduced financial barriers to accessing necessary EI services. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

6. What’s It Going to Take? • Sound strategies and reduced barriers for consistent and efficient use of available public & private resources. • Increased capacity of Part C staff to support implementation of funding strategies. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

7. What’s It Going to Take? (cont.) • Increased capacity of localities to access available funds for service provision. • Increased capacity of service providers to access available funds for service provision. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

8. Virginia’s Plan • Re-design the finance system to reflect the demographic, political and economic context of the state • Renew state interagency agreements and service contracts to clearly establish the parameters of the service delivery approach Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

9. Virginia’s Plan (cont.) • Implement an integrated data system to assist the local EI system in decision-making and management • Increase knowledge of and access to: • Potential formal funding at the state, local, and community level • Informal community resources and supports Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

10. How Far Have We Gotten… • Commitment from the interagency management team • Priority for the staff and the state interagency council • Data collection/management capacity • Cost study • Prevalence data Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

11. What Will the Cost Study Get Us??? • Cost study: • Statewide total cost of early intervention in Virginia • Average hourly cost per direct service person • Ratio of direct services to admin & support costs • Cost differences relating to different personnel types/ disciplines. • Number of children we should be serving • The cost for serving all potentially eligible children Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

12. What Will the Prevalence Data Get Us??? • Variables: • General demographics • Race/ethnicity information • Populations of special consideration • Pregnancy and birth information • Health challenges and child welfare issues • Family households Census data plus information traditionally collected by the State agency responsible for the Maternal Child Health Grant may be used in this study. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

13. What Will the Prevalence Data Get Us??? (cont.) • Child Count Data • Part B/3-5 Preschool Eligibility • Medicaid/SCHIP Eligible And/or Enrolled • Income Information • Eligibility Information • Local Economic Resources Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

14. What This Strategic Planning Will Get Us… • Determine: • If in fact the Part C system is under funded • What local autonomy with minimum state involvement should be • How to best finance EI services in natural environments • State & local funds allocated to EI Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

15. What This Strategic Planning Will Get Us… (cont.) • Establish: • An equitable reimbursement rate for Medicaid • If and where personnel shortages exist Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

16. Commitment at the Top (Leadership) Champions and Opinion Leaders Education and skill building Supportive administrative rules Incentives and rewards Feedback mechanisms Long term financing of EI Data Collection/ Management Capacity for decision making and managing the local EI system Necessary Ingredients for SuccessMeasuring it against “Is it in the best interest of children and families?”… Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

17. Possible Strategies for Fine-tuning the Finance System • Determine impact of ability to pay policies & procedures on local & state early intervention system • Request additional state dollars Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

18. Possible Strategies for Fine-tuning the Finance System (cont.) • Improve guidance and Technical Assistance related to use of funds • Determine if the definitionof eligibility needs to be revised Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

19. Ongoing Monitoring • Periodic updating of data from original studies • Pursue new funding sources as opportunities present themselves and/or as needs change • Include items in parent satisfaction survey to determine whether barriers continue to exist and where. Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

20. For Further Information Contact: Mary Ann Discenza Part C Coordinator Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (804) 371-6592 mdiscenza@dmhmrsas.state.va.us Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia