May 1, 2008
Birth to Three: A Priority for West Virginians
West Virginia Birth to Three is a program that identifies infants and toddlers with developmental delays or significant risk factors. The program is part of federal special education law and operates under Part C of the Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Supported with a combination of federal and state funding, the Program faces a budget shortfall in 2008 of $3 million. Total state and federal funding per year is about $5.4 million.
The primary reason for the shortfall is that the program has grown from 3,077 children in 2002 to 5,605 children in 2007. While the program has grown substantially, federal funding has remained stagnant. The program has also not had any increases in the state line item for early intervention services since the mid 1990s. [1]
Source: WV Birth to Three Family Cost Participation Task Group Report, January, 2008.
Growth in the program is a good thing suggesting that health care providers are doing a better job in identifying developmental problems early. When problems are identified early, children have a better chance of normal growth and development. In the long run, giving children the services they need to enter school ready to learn and to lead as normal a life as possible is good for West Virginia. National research by the Commonwealth Fund suggests that at least 10 percent of infants and toddlers could be expected to be in need of early intervention services. As of December 2007, West Virginia Birth to Three was serving 4.62 percent of the population.
Growth is also the result of federal law which since 2004 requires that children under age three (3) with substantiated abuse or neglect be referred to Birth to Three for evaluation and assessment. The requirement was added because research indicates these children are at great risk of having developmental delays. Referrals from Child Protective Services (CPS) increased from 89 CPS referrals in 2002 to 567 referrals in 2006.
In January 2008, members of a “Family Cost Participation Task Group” recommended several options for increasing funding for Birth to Three. To fully fund the program, will most likely require a combination of options. The options recommended include:
- Increase the state line item for Birth to Three.
- Target a percentage of lottery funds.
- Require families to pay a fee based on ability to pay.
- As part of family participation, bill private and government insurance including Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and PEIA to cover Birth to Three services for their members.
Example of Proposed Family Participation Rates [2]
| Income Range |
Estimated % of Families |
Estimated # of Families |
Monthly Participation Rate |
Projected Revenue for One Month |
| $35,000- $49,000 |
24% | 195 | $20 | $3900 |
| $50,000- $74,000 |
34% | 276 | $30 | $8230 |
| $75,000- $99,000 |
21% | 170 | $40 | $6800 |
| $100,000- $149,000 |
13% | 105 | $50 | $5200 |
| More than $150,000 |
5% | 40 | $100 | $4000 | TOTAL | -- | 786 | -- | $28230 |
Acknowledgement: Information for this paper came from WV Birth to Three Family Cost Participation Task Group Report, January, 2008
NOTES:
[1] While dollars for services have not increased, WVBTT received an increase of just over $1 million in SFY 2001 to support training and infrastructure development.
[2]
This chart developed by the Family Cost Participation Task Group in
January 2008 is meant as an example. Actual cost sharing for SFY
2009 may be different.