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]

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

IDA Blog

Considering the Sibling Experience when Supporting Families in Early Intervention
Read More

Quality Incentive Program (QIP) - Early Intervention Services Directive released

The Department of Developmental Services Directive Here announced that the Quality Incentive Program is offering information on how Early Intervention providers can participate in the QIP measure. The Directive covers Eligibility Click Here and Here, Incentive Payment Processing Click Here, Conditions for a Provider to receive Incentive Payments.

The latest plan recognizes the need to have families/children enrolled in Early Start and is offering a fiscal incentive to programs. The plan HERE is different from information shared in the July, 2023 Presentation to the Interagency Coordinating Council and at the January 2024 ICC Meeting.

Steps to listing a program in the Statewide Provider Directory are not included in this Directive.

The QIP email to ask questions, share comments is [email protected]

ACTION NEEDED: Have you contacted your legislators?

Call to ACTION English Click Here in Spanish Here to let them know you are opposed to having a $1B proposed delay in implementing the rate increase to providers rates? Early Intervention providers have not had a rate adjustment. Thanks to The Arc California for offering this easy platform to communicate with legislators.

ACTION Needed to let the Members of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 know why they need oppose the Proposed $1B budget delay for Rate Implementation

The Senate Budget SubCommittee #3 on Health and Human Services (Senate.ca.gov/calendar) is meeting on March 21st at 9:30AM at the State Capitol, Sacramento.

"We need you to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion need to amplify that we are asking the committee members to REJECT the Governor’s proposed $1 billion in cut to funding for disability services and supports.

Where Does Early Intervention Stand in the Proposed Governor's Budget 2024-2025?

Governor Newsom released his proposed budget on January 10th. He is suggesting that providers of service through the Department of Developmental Services be prepared for a "delay" in the roll out of the rate model funds. You can have a conversation about what does delay mean .....a cut or not. Basically the funds are not going to be passed along to the providers as promised and planned.

Department of Developmental Services Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services

As mentioned in the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 Budget, the Department of Developmental Services will create a Master Plan with a March 2025 deadline. Yesterday Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the appointed Membership for the Master Plan Committee. Developmental Services Master Plan Stakeholder Committee Appointment (ca.gov) - link to go with Membership for the Master Plan
Their first meeting is scheduled for March 6th. Subcommittees are to be formed to increase input from all communities serving the populations involved with the system.

"The reality is that the developmental services system cannot, nor should it, operate in isolation given the changing needs of the consumers and families we serve today.” said CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “This means we must proactively think about how we connect the dots between systems and sectors, while more intentionally integrating developmental services to our work to serve the whole needs of the individual and their families."

The purpose of the Master Plan is, "...since 2019, the number of Californians served by the developmental services system has grown by 31%, with significant growth among children under the age of 22 who have an Autism diagnosis. Today, over 400,000 Californians receive services and supports through California’s 21 Regional Centers. Individuals who receive services today are more diverse and live longer. They face affordable housing shortages, lower rates of employment, and the challenges of accessing services from other systems and sectors to address their physical, social, and behavioral health needs. A 21st century developmental services system must increase its ability to provide culturally responsive services and to strengthen the accountability and standardization of the system so that it is easier for individuals and their families to navigate no matter where they live in California. "

Additional details in the 2/14/24 Press release:

CalHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly Announces Stakeholder Committee to Create Master Plan for Developmental Services - California Health and Human Services

Early Intervention ACTION Step

In the Governor's proposed budget, he is indicating there should be a "delay" for one year of completing the fiscal roll out that was part of the rate model process.
This "delay" cut of one year of income impacts the ability of families to access services, programs to recruit and maintain adequate staff,etc.
Please take a moment to connect with your legislators about your concerns.

Take Action! Urge Legislators to Reject Delay of $1 Billion to Disability Services (p2a.co)

There are Budget hearings scheduled in the Assembly and the Senate. Input can be sent via email or in person.

You can watch the Assembly hearings here: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents.
BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 2 ON HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, February 28
1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 444
Developmental Services and Rehabilitation Programs
The Senate Hearings can be watched here: https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar.
Additional details to be shared via IDA EBlasts.

IDA Policy Committee