Early Intervention funding and services are at risk!

Submitted by Shelley Joyce on Mon, 06/16/2008 - 11:44am.

Release of EI/ECSE funding held by the Emergency Board is needed to continue the current level of services to children birth through five who experience disabilities.

$6 million was set aside for the EI/ECSE program in the Emergency Fund in 2007. This is based on projected growth of about 4.5% annually in 2007-2009.

$5.8 million must be released to the EI /ECSE programs by the Emergency Board in the upcoming June 26-27 meeting. $4.6 million is needed for the 3.4% caseload increase in the number of children being served by the EI / ECSE program. $1.2 is needed to replace the loss of approximately 50% in Medicaid revenue being experienced by the programs.

What will happen if the dollars are not released?

Without this additional funding, programs will be forced to eliminate staff. Services to children and families will be compromised.

Already young children with autism in
Oregon get significantly fewer hours of service than research tells us they should receive. The number of young children birth to five identified with autism has increased 20% since 2005. The current budget does not reflect this growing need, and without out this funding programs will have difficulty maintaining existing service levels.

Costs of providing services have increased dramatically and this has already limited program flexibility to absorb a loss of expected funding.

Action Needed!!!

Contact members of the Emergency Board and the members of the Education Subcommittee of the Emergency Board before Wednesday, June 25.

Urge them to release the EI/ECSE $ 5.8 million NOW.

Talking points:

The money was set aside for the Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education Program. A commitment was made. The request is reasonable.
Many children with autism are currently receiving less service than evidence based practice says they should receive. This will make the situation even worse!
EI/ECSE programs are already coping with costs of delivering services that are higher than projected.

Click here for contact information for E Board members and Education committee members.

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