Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee
HB 2688
Brief Description: Providing adjustments to the early support for infants and toddlers program.
Sponsors: Representatives Gregerson, Ormsby and Macri; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Changes the multiplier for the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program funding formula from aligning with the special education excess cost multiplier for pre-kindergarten students to a set multiplier of 1.20.
Hearing Date: 2/5/26
Staff: Jordan Clarke (786-7123).
Background:

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 headcount must be multiplied by the per pupil statewide allocation for the prototypical kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school, multiplied by the special education cost multiplier for pre-kindergarten students, which is currently 1.20.  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 has received services within the same month as the monthly count day, which is the last business day of the month.
Summary of Bill:

The multiplier for the ESIT program funding formula is changed from aligning with the special education cost multiplier for pre-kindergarten students and is instead set at 1.20.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.