Public Policy

Public Policy/Advocacy

The IDA Policy Committee keeps the organization and its members informed on issues of public policy and acts as a clearing house for policy issues related to infants, toddlers and their families, as well as early intervention providers and programs.

If you are interested in joining the IDA Policy work please contact us at [email protected]

August Updates

Federal Issues: Head Start Proposed Changes and Department of Education

The Administration’s, "Restoring Flexibility to Support Head Start Program Access", newly released proposed rule would eliminate important Head Start and Early Head Start requirements that are essential to get, and keep, babies on track. It would eliminate child-to-staff ratios that keep children safe as well as certain services for pregnant and postpartum moms, mental health services and many other comprehensive supports that make Head Start and Early Head Start one of the nation’s most effective programs.

NAEYC’s statement: Oppose proposed regulations to Head Start
Trump administration unveils major Head Start overhaul. Read more here

Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project

Update on DDS Proposal - Equitable Access to Intake and Services

Posted: 8/11/2026

CA. Trailer Bill – On 8/5/26 the Assembly Budget Committee #2 on Human Services held a hearing on the proposed Equitable Access to Intake and Services [view here]

The Department of Developmental Services has introduced this proposal Fact Sheet as part of this year's trailer bill process. This policy proposal was postponed to allow for additional input before a final action was taken.

Advocates and legislators at the hearing raised concerns over the process being proposed to change the Intake process while still using a 50-year-old tool, Client Evaluation Development Report (CDER). Read more HERE

May Updates

Posted: May 5, 2026

Federal Updates: The President released his budget-2027

Good news is that an additional $50 million is a proposed increase for Part C. The but is that there are proposed changes to IDEA - elimination of Preschool 619 program, and the 5 Part D IDEA grants - State Personnel Development,Technical Assistance and Dissemination, Personnel Preparation, Parent Information Centers and Educational, Technology, Media and Materials. These programs are to be combined into a " single state formula grant"- Part B Section 611 State Grant Program.
The budget request contains $15.4 billion for IDEA Part Grants to States over the current $14.2 billion in 2026. It calls for the consolidation of programs at the state level. The goal "to return education to the states by streamlining funding and expanding flexibility for States".

September Updates

Posted: September 29

Government Shutdown looming
Tuesday, September 30 – 11:59 PM
Congressional Leadership meeting scheduled with the President today to discuss options. Check in with your Congressional representatives - click here to see how things are going. If an agreement is not reached (a Continuing Resolution - CR not passed) federal agencies will cease non-essential operations until a deal is reached.

Many people with disabilities rely on a range of public programs, such as Social Security & SSI (are operational) Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), and others that support their daily needs, health, and independence. They also benefit from programs that provide housing assistance, job training, special education, childcare, and developmental disability programs for support and services.Federal agencies enforce critical laws against disability discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individual with Disabilities Act.

Looming 9/30 Federal Government Shutdown, Updates in the World of Early Intervention

Posted: September 29

Federal: Budget

Congress needs to generate a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the Government open past Tuesday 9/30. The Senate and the House are about $13.7 billion dollars apart in their budget proposals and an agreement on a date for a CR extension.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Cuts Grants that Support People with Disabilities - Policy Insider | September 12, 2025
House Committee Advances Bill that Supports All Parts of IDEA, Cuts Education Overall by 15 Percent - Policy Insider | September 12, 2025
Funding towards Medicaid/Medical, Part C, Head Start - click here

URGENT ACTION Needed - Oppose Medicaid Cuts

On Sunday evening, the House Budget Committee narrowly advanced a budget reconciliation measure. The vote was 17–16, with all Democrats opposed and four Freedom Caucus Republicans voting "present".

The House Rules Committee is scheduled to markup the bill at 1:00 a.m. ETA is this Wednesday, May 21. There are reports that Medicaid's work requirement could be accelerated to the end of 2026 from the bill's current 2029, and cuts to other programs, ex. SNAP CA Fact Sheet could also be included in the Speaker’s deal.

CA. Early Intervention Pieces of Importance

Rates for January 2023 - as part of Rate Implementation - Click Here

Quality Incentive program:

Enclosure B FINAL - 1st Phase (ca.gov) Survey reimbursement access
Quality Incentive Program (QIP) - CA Department of Developmental Services
Access to Early Start Services for Children and Families PDF
Early Intervention programs will have this for their desired outcome and an additional step to receive a 10% rate. The desired outcome is that children and families receive timely access to Early Start services.
Questions: [email protected]
Check out DDS- Task Force Work Groups – click HERE

ACTION on Federal & California Bills

Updates, Directives, and Announcements

Legislation ACTION:
Federal: Right IDEA Act - H.R. 65321/S.3544 - Congress has introduced a bill designed to address the significant gap in federal funding for IDEA Part C and the 619 Preschool Grant Program by creating a 5-year glide path of increases in the authorization levels of these two programs. The bill would support millions of children and their families on the path to independence. Urge your Member of Congress to co-sponsor HERE

Update CA Budget - Governor Newsom signs CA Budget

June 30, Governor Newsom signed a $308 billion plan into law. Some of the highlights include cost of living relief, fuel refunds, investment in K-12 education, pay down state debt and plastic recycling, etc.

Other Trailer Bills SB188 click here Developmental Services

May Revise-CA Budget Released: New Direction for Early Start Eligibility

Friday saw Governor Newsom release his May revision of the CA Budget. CLICK HERE
The $300.6B budget contains lots of proposals. One for the Department of Developmental Services is EARLY START: ($6.5 million state general fund) to expand eligibility for early intervention services including: lowering the eligibility threshold for developmental delay from 33 percent to 25 percent; separating communication delays into two distinct categories (expressive and/or receptive language); and identifying Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as a risk factor for developmental delays.

Assorted Actions Steps for Early Start: DDS Surveys, Updated Directives, Alerts

Department of Developmental Services releases updates on Directives: Check out extension of assorted Early Start Directives CLICK HERE They cover: Early Start transition to Special Education-7/5/22 ext.; Family Fees-7/4/22 ext.; Virtual services, etc.

Early Start Providers (805) asked to participate in the Direct Service Provider Survey. Due June 30th, 2022.

"Beginning in May 2022, California will collect data from agencies employing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to collect information about factors impacting the workforce. The DSP workforce is experiencing challenges such as high turnover and vacancy rates, which can affect the lives of individuals needing support. Stakeholders have expressed support for learning more about the employment of DSPs to inform policy changes, design recruitment and retention efforts, and examine the impact of rate increases over time. The data collection effort will establish baseline information from which DDS, agencies, and stakeholders may assess challenges, evaluate the impact of existing initiatives and shape future policies to improve workforce stability. Additional information can be found HERE:

Announcements

Federal Issues: Head Start Proposed Changes and Department of Education

NAEYC’s statement: Oppose proposed regulations to Head Start
Trump administration unveils major Head Start overhaul. Read more here

Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project

More Information

Update on DDS Proposal - Equitable Access to Intake and Services

Posted: 8/11/2026

CA. Trailer Bill – On 8/5/26 the Assembly Budget Committee #2 on Human Services held a hearing on the proposed Equitable Access to Intake and Services [view here]