Fwd: Problem? Early Intervention programs

[Guest guest]

Please see attached query - anybody know anything about this?

FLORIDA'S VOICE ON MENTAL RETARDATIONc/o Arlene Lakin, Esq.President5591 N.E. 28th AvenueFort Lauderdale, Florida 33308Tel. Fax E-mail: FVMRorg@...Website: www.FVMR.org

The 7/2/ vor update stated that Federal and State funding of school based Early intervention programs would be ending on July 1st and that direct service was also being eliminated but the fact that now people would be going into homes only to teach parents how to treat their kids and not provide direct therapy. Is nothing going on as a reaction from these parents? Robin

[Guest guest]

In response to the early intervention program changes...YES! I know alot about this because I am a provider who will most likely not be able to be a part of the new program . Many of us smaller agencies that have been dedicated providers for Part C for many years could not compete with several of the larger agencies that will be the new Super Agencies. Each agency will receive a lump sum amount to use for Part C children based on the amount of children that the state has calculated would be served in an area. Each family will have a lead provider who will assist them in learning how to best address their concerns. He or she can consult with other professionals if warrented. The amount of visits each child receives, and from what professionals, will be determined by the team with the family's imput. Many of the agencies that some of you are familiar with tried to pool resources and form a super agency as the state is requiring, but we could not limit ourselves to only one small section of Broward , as our providers span from Parkland to south of Dania. This was not acceptable for new ageny guidelines. New children entering the early intervention program will be assigned to an agency within their geographic region. An assessment will be done and professionals will be available to "coach" the family and make suggestions to meet the families concerns within the natural environment, and in context with the family's daily routines. Direct services as we know them are shifting to a collaborative, team approach to addressing various issues. No more visits will be allowed in clinic settings. Sadly, there will be no more Part C funding for developmental pre school programs for children UNDER the age of 3. Many of the hospitals have also pulled out of the system because they are unable to provide services in the home as the state is requiring.

The new guidelines are lengthy and can best be accessed through the Children's Medical Services website under early intervention.

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/cms/InfntToddEIPrg.htm

Newly entering families can still access services by going through Child Find, as usual..The # is .

As I said in a previous post to our list, we need to put pressure on our state legislators to fix the multitude of problems related to funds dedicated for developmental disability services. Other programs are being eliminated as well. Supposedly, the changes in Part C are federally mandated....Many states have already eliminated all early intervention services due to funding problems....it would be a tragedy if Broward County finds itself in similar circumstances in the near future...It is a possibility as was pointed out to us at several provider meetings.

I urge parents to report any untimely delays and insufficient resources that they may encounter with the new model!! Let your voices be heard.

Good luck to us all, and especially to our little ones!

Charnam, MS

[Guest guest]

In response to the early intervention program changes...YES! I know alot about this because I am a provider who will most likely not be able to be a part of the new program . Many of us smaller agencies that have been dedicated providers for Part C for many years could not compete with several of the larger agencies that will be the new Super Agencies. Each agency will receive a lump sum amount to use for Part C children based on the amount of children that the state has calculated would be served in an area. Each family will have a lead provider who will assist them in learning how to best address their concerns. He or she can consult with other professionals if warrented. The amount of visits each child receives, and from what professionals, will be determined by the team with the family's imput. Many of the agencies that some of you are familiar with tried to pool resources and form a super agency as the state is requiring, but we could not limit ourselves to only one small section of Broward , as our providers span from Parkland to south of Dania. This was not acceptable for new ageny guidelines. New children entering the early intervention program will be assigned to an agency within their geographic region. An assessment will be done and professionals will be available to "coach" the family and make suggestions to meet the families concerns within the natural environment, and in context with the family's daily routines. Direct services as we know them are shifting to a collaborative, team approach to addressing various issues. No more visits will be allowed in clinic settings. Sadly, there will be no more Part C funding for developmental pre school programs for children UNDER the age of 3. Many of the hospitals have also pulled out of the system because they are unable to provide services in the home as the state is requiring.

The new guidelines are lengthy and can best be accessed through the Children's Medical Services website under early intervention.

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/cms/InfntToddEIPrg.htm

Newly entering families can still access services by going through Child Find, as usual..The # is .

As I said in a previous post to our list, we need to put pressure on our state legislators to fix the multitude of problems related to funds dedicated for developmental disability services. Other programs are being eliminated as well. Supposedly, the changes in Part C are federally mandated....Many states have already eliminated all early intervention services due to funding problems....it would be a tragedy if Broward County finds itself in similar circumstances in the near future...It is a possibility as was pointed out to us at several provider meetings.

I urge parents to report any untimely delays and insufficient resources that they may encounter with the new model!! Let your voices be heard.

Good luck to us all, and especially to our little ones!

Charnam, MS