SW 644: Issues in Developmental Disabilities

Wisconsin Birth to 3 Early Intervention Program

Lecture Presenter: Darsell Johns, MSW

Department Of Health Services, Bureau Of Long-term Support, Children’s Section

Birth To 3 Program

What is Early Intervention

Program focused on providing services to children and families who have a suspected or current

diagnosis of developmental disability.

How are services focused: Biological and Environmental Risks Parent and Child Relationship Individualized Planning contextualized in child and

family’s everyday lives

History

Wisconsin has had early intervention programs since 1970’s

Birth to 3 became a Public Mandate in 1986 (IDEA, DHS 90)

Statewide program implementation began in 1991

Programs in Wisconsin

Department of Health Services (DHS) supervises and monitors local Birth to 3 Programs

County boards must designate a county agency or contract with another public agency to administer their local Birth to 3 Program

72 Counties in WI

(DHS90.06 pg. 264 & 265)

Program Partners

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Birth to 3 Program contracts with partners in early childhood and healthcare arenas

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Head Start Child Care Pediatricians Maternal & Child Health

Program Facts

2010 Child Count

217,722 Children Birth to 3 Years of age

6,131 Children on 10/1/2010 (one day count) 2.82% is Birth to 3 population .90% under 1 year of age

State and Federal Priority:Early Identification of Children under 1 year of age

What Guides Birth to 3 in Wisconsin?

Federal and State Law

Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)- Part C (2004)

WI Administrative Code HS 90

US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

Early InterventionFamily Service Provision In Birth to 3

Families participate voluntarily

How do families learn about and connect to us? Program partners… Head Start, Pediatricians, Child Care, Self-referral

Program Eligibility based on % of delay: Eligibility determined through screening and assessment process Diagnosis of Developmental Disability

Individualized Services: Contextualized Physical Therapy Service Coordination Occupational Therapy Speech Special Educator Services

How are Birth to 3 Services Funded?

U.S. Department of Education

State of Wisconsin Biennial Budget

Local County Funds Maintenance of Effort, plus additional costs

Medicaid / Badgercare Plus

Private Insurance

Parental Cost Share (HS 90.06 pg. 266) (based on federal poverty guidelines, family size and income)

Others designated by each county/program. E.g., private donations/fundraising

Accountability & Standards

Government Performance & Results Act (1993) Program Assessment Rating Tool (2002) Head Start Act (1998) No child Left Behind Act (2001) Good Start, Grow Smart (2002)

Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)- Part C (2004)

• 14 Federal Indicators

Accountability & Standards: Evidenced Based

Practice in Early Intervention?

Practices for which Research Findings are interpreted with clinical knowledge and expertise to make decisions that provide the best services for children and their families

Practices that focus on the individual level of the child and family

Focus on practices that can improve child and family outcomes

OSEP Child Outcomes

How is Birth to 3 Impacting a child’s development?

Positive social-emotional skills Acquisition and use of knowledge and

skills Use of appropriate behaviors to meet

needs

OSEP Family Outcomes

Do our Early intervention services help families…

• Know their rights• Effectively advocate for their child• Help their children develop and learn (Transition into their next educational

setting)

Decision making process that integrates the best available research evidence along with

family and professional wisdom

Promotion Model Vs. Treatment Model

Focus on enhancement and optimization of competence and functioning

Family Centered Practice Strength & Interest Based Systems Theory Natural Learning Environment Adult Learning Theory Ecological Theory

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/bdds/birthto3/index.htm

See Transcript for Biographical Information