2. Technology Solutions for Early Childhood Symposium
Early Intervention and Technology in Massachusetts – a current and historical perspective
Technology Solutions for Early Childhood Symposium
Ron Benham, Director
Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health
Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition,
Perinatal, Early Childhood and Special Health Needs,
Early Intervention Services

3. Current Eligibility – children under three years of age
Children with a diagnosis known to result in developmental delay
Children evaluated and found to have a developmental delay of 30% in one domain
Children at risk of developmental delay

4. Overview of Current System
All services are purchased through community agencies (38 agencies/60 programs w/state wide coverage)
Agencies bill private insurers and MassHealth (Medicaid) directly
Department of Public Health payer of last resort
42K+ infants/toddlers projected to be served cumulatively

5. Early Assistive Technology within Massachusetts EI
Earliest Expectations – switch toy purchases with program dollars, egg car w/ electrical switches
Use of AT in Massachusetts EI – provided by various interested EI staff, but not systematic
Specialized services pool of funds – larger, more costly items (classroom FM system), historically and current

6. Let’s Participate!
FHI 360 is working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Early Intervention Program and the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Section 619 program to implement the Let’s Participate! model in three sites.

7. .
Let’s Participate!
A model demonstration project to assist Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C early intervention and Part B preschool programs in implementing and sustaining promising practices in the effective use of assistive technology (AT) by infants, toddlers and preschool children with disabilities and, as a result, to improve their functional outcomes.
A child-specific AT plan helps to link AT supports to desired Individual Family Service Plan and Individualized Education Plan outcomes.

8. .
Let’s Participate!
The project uses a collaborative, capacity-building approach to increase understanding and use of assistive technology supports among local educators, service providers and families to help young children participate more fully in daily routines and activities. To ensure sustainable outcomes, the project provides a comprehensive, ongoing professional development system; on-site coaching of trainees by an AT project liaison; an AT lending library of assistive technology devices; and responsive technical assistance.

9. What’s next? – Challenges and opportunities for assistive technology in comprehensive infant and toddlers services
Opportunities
Child Care
Head Start
Early Intervention
Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge
Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Initiative
Title V
Other federal initiatives
Science on our side

10. What’s next? – challenges and opportunities for assistive technology in comprehensive infant and toddlers services
Challenges
Expertise
Screen Time concerns
Appropriate use of technology
Future direction – greater us of technology
Tele-medicine
Financial resources
Collective vision and effort

11. “Assistive and Instructional Technology Supporting Learners with Disabilities”
The Center on Technology and Disability is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under award #H327F – 13A.