Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Human Services Committee

HB 2900

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requiring the department of social and health services to contract with counties to provide early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, Walsh, Kagi, Roberts, Haler, Pettigrew, Quall, Santos, Priest, Hinkle, McCoy, Darneille, Cody, Linville, Morrell, Simpson, Goodman, Conway, Kenney and Wood.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to contract with each county through the Employment and Day Program to provide funding for early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age who have been identified as needing services.
  • Requires each county to provide or contract to provide early intervention services to all eligible children within the county who have been identified as needing services.
  • Adds to the caseload forecast persons expected to meet entitlement requirements for services of the Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program.

Hearing Date: 1/30/08

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).

Background:

In 1986, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law developed guidelines for states to follow in providing services to families with infants and toddlers with disabilities. The Department of Social and Health Services' Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP), within the Division of Developmental Disabilities, directs the coordination of the statewide system of early intervention services. Early intervention services are designed to meet the developmental needs of each eligible child from birth to 3 years old and the needs of the family related to enhancing the child's development. The federal statute, IDEA, does not set a funding level for the ITEIP. Currently, only some counties in Washington provide funding for the ITEIP, and the funding provided by these counties is not uniform.

Summary of Bill:

This legislation requires the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) to contract with all Washington counties to provide funding for early intervention services to eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age who have been identified as needing services. Each county must, in partnership with local lead agencies, school districts, and birth-to-three providers, provide or contract for early intervention services to all eligible children within the county who have been identified as needing services.

The Department is required to contract with each county through the existing Employment and Day Program to provide funding for early intervention services. The rate of funding for Fiscal Year 2009 would be $2400 multiplied by the number of active ITEIP plans as determined in May of the previous fiscal year. The $2400 would increase each fiscal year according to the inflation rate as set by the federal Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis. Included in the amounts of funding provided at this rate would be the amounts provided to the county through the Employment and Day Program already designated for the ITEIP services.

The ITEIP services provided shall be determined according to Part C of the IDEA and the child's individualized family service plan. The state-designated birth-to-three agency shall be the payor of last resort for such ITEIP services provided under this section.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2008.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.