Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning Committee
HB 1916
Brief Description: Concerning funding for the early support for infants and toddlers program.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Couture, Leavitt, Taylor, Paul, Callan, Ramos and Cortes; by request of Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Provides that for purposes of funding, a child is considered to have received Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) services if the child received services within the same month as the monthly count day, rather than the month prior.
  • Requires the monthly count day for ESIT enrollment to fall on the last business day of the month.
Hearing Date: 1/9/24
Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers.
Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides grant funding to states to operate a comprehensive program of individual and family intervention services for children from birth to age 3 who have been diagnosed with a disability or developmental delay.  In Washington, these intervention services are administered by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) through the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program.  The ESIT program provides an array of services, such as developmental services, occupational and physical therapy, language therapy, and service coordination to clients according to an individualized family service plan.  
 
The DCYF contracts with provider agency organizations, including public, private, tribal, and nonprofit entities, and school districts, to provide early intervention services within an assigned area.  In some counties, services are coordinated through county lead agencies, which subcontract with provider agencies for service delivery.
 
Funding for the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers Program.
Funding for the ESIT program is through multiple sources including state special education funding and other state funding, as well as federal IDEA funds.  Funding is appropriated to the DCYF based on the annual average headcount of children who are eligible for and receiving early intervention services.  The state provides the basic education allocation rate for the headcount, multiplied by 1.15.  The DCYF is required to distribute funds to ESIT service providers and, when appropriate, to county lead agencies.  A child is considered to have received ESIT services if the child received services within a month prior to the monthly count day.
Summary of Bill:

For purposes of funding, a child is considered to have received ESIT services if the child received services within the same month as the monthly count day.  The monthly count day for ESIT enrollment must fall on the last business day of the month.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 4, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.