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 Intervention Family 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 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 See Transcript for Biographical Information