TECEC
Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition

Letter to All Stakeholders Regarding Early Childhood Intervention Eligibility Criteria

From the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

In December 2008, stakeholders representing various perspectives on the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) were invited to participate in a two-day meeting in Austin. The goal of the meeting was to develop stakeholder-driven recommendations for potential changes to ECI eligibility criteria in the event that there was no increase in funding for the program in the 2010-11 biennium.

Looking ahead to the 2012-13 biennium, we again face the possibility that ECI services cannot continue to be delivered at current funding levels. Should that occur, a narrowing of eligibility for the program remains one of several options being considered. DARS conducted eight statewide meetings in January to allow stakeholders, especially families who have received ECI services, to share their ideas on how we might best use limited dollars to provide the services most important to children and families.

These efforts are part of a voluntary, comprehensive internal evaluation of the ECI program. The information gathered will help DARS provide valuable information to legislators as they consider the agency's funding request for ECI for the 2012-13 biennium. DARS anticipates a significant funding request and, coupled with the economic challenges facing the state, we must be prepared to offer alternative service levels in ECI consistent with available resources.

Some people have expressed concern that a narrowing of ECI eligibility is imminent, but that is not the case. The General Appropriations Act, 81R, Article II Sec. 47, prohibits the agency from narrowing eligibility in ECI during the current biennium without direction from the Health and Human Services Commission, the Legislative Budget Board and Governor's Office. Likewise, future decisions regarding changes to ECI eligibility will be conditioned on direction from the legislature.

Now that the public comment period is over we will focus on the next phase of the evaluation, in which we examine our contract structure with providers and explore ways to maximize funding while adhering to parameters imposed by Federal and State regulations. We are committed to investigating every available option to ensure maximum benefits for children who are in need of our services.

I would like to thank the parents, physicians and providers who spent several days together developing the recommendations presented for public comment, and the hundreds of people who attended and provided testimony at the hearings or submitted written comments. Your concern for children with developmental delays and your support for ECI is very evident and much appreciated. Our goal is to safeguard ECI's long term viability while ensuring alignment with the strengths and priorities of the program.

Thank you again for your continued support and interest.

Sincerely,



Terrell I. Murphy Commissioner
COMING SOON!



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