Parent and staff member Edenn Perez testified at a hearing in support of new rules OSSE has proposed for Early Intervention Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, often referred to as Part C services.
The proposed rulemaking marks the first time theDistrict of Columbiahas put forth a comprehensive set of local rulemaking designed to govern early intervention services to infants and toddlers.
Key Highlights from the rules are:
- An expansion of the eligibility criteria for receiving services to include:
- 50% delay in one category (physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional, or adaptive skills)
- 25% delay in 2 two categories (physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional, or adaptive skills)
- Diagnosis that has a high probability of resulting in significant developmental delay.
- Parents can opt out of determining eligibility for Part B services.
- Parents can determine eligibility for Part B – and if they receive it can continue to use Part C services and plan (IFSP) until the child goes to kindergarten. This will allow children to receive services in their home environment.
While supporting the expansion of eligibility, the rulemaking could go farther and lower threshold to 25% delay in just one category.
Edenn brought along exhibit “A” to demonstrate the importance of this law and the reasons we need to make sure the rules are supportive of families, her son Satchel. Satchel starting receiving services at 2 year and three months after being diagnosed with autism and he and his family benefited greatly from the services. And as Edenn made sure to tell everyone, bringing Satchel was not only for their benefit but for his – because it is never too early to learn self-advocacy skills. Satchel is four and a half years old.
check it out here
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