1 Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia Early Intervention System Presentation for Financing...

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Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

Early Intervention System

Presentation forFinancing Systems Workshop

OSEP National Early Childhood Conference

Washington D.C.November 1, 2003

Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia 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


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


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


How Will We Know It When We See It?

All eligible children & families have reduced financial barriers to

accessing necessary EI services.


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.


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.


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


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


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


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


What Will the Prevalence Data

Get Us???

Variables:General demographicsRace/ethnicity informationPopulations of special considerationPregnancy and birth informationHealth challenges and child welfare issuesFamily households

Census data plus information traditionally collected by the State agency responsible for the Maternal Child Health Grant may be used in this study.


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


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


What This Strategic Planning Will Get Us…

(cont.)

Establish:An equitable reimbursement rate for Medicaid

If and where personnel shortages exist


Necessary Ingredients for Success

Measuring it against “Is it in the best interest of children and

families?”…

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


Possible Strategies for Fine-tuning the Finance System

Determine impact of ability to pay policies & procedures on local & state early intervention systemRequest additional state dollars


Possible Strategies for Fine-tuning the

Finance System (cont.)

Improve guidance and Technical Assistance related to use of funds

Determine if the definition of eligibility needs to be revised


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.


For Further Information

Contact:

Mary Ann Discenza

Part C Coordinator

Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia

(804) 371-6592

[email protected]

1 Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia Early Intervention System Presentation for Financing...

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