Thursday, February 04, 2021 12:00 AM

Important Updates for Early Intervention

Posted 2.4.21
Good news for 805,116,520 Program codes:
Rate adjustments approved by the Federal Government as indicated in AB79 link here through 12/21.

Service Code 805: Infant Development Programs; 8.2% rate increase
Service Code 116: Early Start Specialized Therapeutic Services; 5% rate increase
Service Code 520: Independent Living Programs; 8.2% rate increase

In the January Governor's proposed budget is the continuation of these and other rate adjustments through December 2022.

CA Early Start - Child Find and Referrals: Message from the Department of Developmental Services click here for message

IDA Provider Temperature Survey:

Dear Early Intervention Providers,
IDA is following up with its June survey with this " Taking a Temperature of the EI field". click here

Our goal is to collect some data about how providers and the families we are serving are faring during this challenging period of Covid-19.
Please take a moment to complete the short survey. We will be sharing this information with legislators, collaborators, related departments , etc. We see this as an opportunity to have the voices of Early Intervention heard in the places where decisions are being made and to foster communication in our field.

In 2021 IDA will be hosting a series of virtual focus groups for EI providers to address their concerns, challenges and successes.
Thank you for your answers, your feedback is important to us.

Parents being sought:
The USC University for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is currently recruiting participants for the Family Support discipline in its 2021 California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (CA-LEND) training program.

We are seeking parents of children with special needs who have a minimum of 2 years' experience providing family support to other parents or as an advocate for systems change and are interested in receiving advanced training in our multi-disciplinary program.
Please pass the attached announcement and LEND brochure to parents you think may be interested in this opportunity. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 323 361-3831.
Resources:

Supporting Child Care Providers and the Dual Language Learners They Serve During the COVID-19 Crisis: Insights From a Statewide Survey - link here
Resource Guide for Developing Integrated Strategies to Support the Social and Emotional Wellness of Children - link here
CA Low Cost Internet Resource - link here
Kids Data- Early Intervention or Sp. Education CA Access - link here

Interested in joining the IDA Policy Committee? Please feel free to contact us - [email protected]

Fran Chasen and Annie Cox
IDA Policy Liaisons

Announcements

IDA Blog

Considering the Sibling Experience when Supporting Families in Early Intervention
Read More

Quality Incentive Program (QIP) - Early Intervention Services Directive released

The Department of Developmental Services Directive Here announced that the Quality Incentive Program is offering information on how Early Intervention providers can participate in the QIP measure. The Directive covers Eligibility Click Here and Here, Incentive Payment Processing Click Here, Conditions for a Provider to receive Incentive Payments.

The latest plan recognizes the need to have families/children enrolled in Early Start and is offering a fiscal incentive to programs. The plan HERE is different from information shared in the July, 2023 Presentation to the Interagency Coordinating Council and at the January 2024 ICC Meeting.

Steps to listing a program in the Statewide Provider Directory are not included in this Directive.

The QIP email to ask questions, share comments is [email protected]

ACTION NEEDED: Have you contacted your legislators?

Call to ACTION English Click Here in Spanish Here to let them know you are opposed to having a $1B proposed delay in implementing the rate increase to providers rates? Early Intervention providers have not had a rate adjustment. Thanks to The Arc California for offering this easy platform to communicate with legislators.

ACTION Needed to let the Members of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 know why they need oppose the Proposed $1B budget delay for Rate Implementation

The Senate Budget SubCommittee #3 on Health and Human Services (Senate.ca.gov/calendar) is meeting on March 21st at 9:30AM at the State Capitol, Sacramento.

"We need you to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion need to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion in cut to funding for disability services and supports.

Where Does Early Intervention Stand in the Proposed Governor's Budget 2024-2025?

Governor Newsom released his proposed budget on January 10th. He is suggesting that providers of service through the Department of Developmental Services be prepared for a "delay" in the roll out of the rate model funds. You can have a conversation about what does delay mean .....a cut or not. Basically the funds are not going to be passed along to the providers as promised and planned.

Department of Developmental Services Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services

As mentioned in the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 Budget, the Department of Developmental Services will create a Master Plan with a March 2025 deadline. Yesterday Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the appointed Membership for the Master Plan Committee. Developmental Services Master Plan Stakeholder Committee Appointment (ca.gov) - link to go with Membership for the Master Plan
Their first meeting is scheduled for March 6th. Subcommittees are to be formed to increase input from all communities serving the populations involved with the system.

"The reality is that the developmental services system cannot, nor should it, operate in isolation given the changing needs of the consumers and families we serve today.” said CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This means we must proactively think about how we connect the dots between systems and sectors, while more intentionally integrating developmental services to our work to serve the whole needs of the individual and their families."

The purpose of the Master Plan is, "...since 2019, the number of Californians served by the developmental services system has grown by 31%, with significant growth among children under the age of 22 who have an Autism diagnosis. Today, over 400,000 Californians receive services and supports through California’s 21 Regional Centers. Individuals who receive services today are more diverse and live longer. They face affordable housing shortages, lower rates of employment, and the challenges of accessing services from other systems and sectors to address their physical, social, and behavioral health needs. A 21st century developmental services system must increase its ability to provide culturally responsive services and to strengthen the accountability and standardization of the system so that it is easier for individuals and their families to navigate no matter where they live in California. "

Additional details in the 2/14/24 Press release:

CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services - California Health and Human Services

Early Intervention ACTION Step

In the Governor's proposed budget, he is indicating there should be a "delay" for one year of completing the fiscal roll out that was part of the rate model process.
This "delay" cut of one year of income impacts the ability of families to access services, programs to recruit and maintain adequate staff,etc.
Please take a moment to connect with your legislators about your concerns.

Take Action! Urge Legislators to Reject Delay of $1 Billion to Disability Services (p2a.co)

There are Budget hearings scheduled in the Assembly and the Senate. Input can be sent via email or in person.

You can watch the Assembly hearings here: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents.
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 2 ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, February 28
1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 444
Developmental Services and Rehabilitation Programs
The Senate Hearings can be watched here: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar.
Additional details to be shared via IDA EBlasts.

IDA Policy Committee