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Floridians Must Act Now to Save Early Intervention Programs.

If you watch Florida news closely, you may have heard something about the Early Steps funding crisis. Administered by the Department of Health, Children's Medical Services, Early Steps distributes Early Intervention funding across the state to meet the needs of children from birth to 36 months who present with evidence of such medical conditions as Autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and hearing or vision impairment, as well as severe developmental delays.

The Wolves Are at the Door . . .  They've Come for Our Babies
This isn't just one more story about funding concerns in tight economic times. While we tend to treat each of these concerns as one more cry of wolf, the Early Steps initiative has continually been threatened by the very real economic reality of static funding and increasing needs fueled by a growing population. However, thanks to the ongoing economic downturn, the wolves at the door aren't just huffing and puffing, but are about to blow down the house on more than 45,000 children who are among the most vulnerable in the state.

This past year, Early Steps was forced to rely on temporary federal stimulus funds to maintain services. Those funds have ended, resulting in contract cuts for many regional programs. And now, the Department of Health has announced that unless $6,861,026 in new, recurring funding is appropriated by the Florida state legislature, it is unlikely that the state will be able to reapply for the federal Part C grant in 2012, which amounts to an addition $24 million dollars in funding.

This would make Florida the first state in the nation to end Part C services.
More than a shameful embarrassment, inaction will bankrupt Early Intervention programs, leaving more than 45,000 Florida infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and delays without critical services.

It's UP TO ALL OF US to ACT NOW!

Unless the Florida legislature sees the light and approves the state contribution, we will lose the opportunity to receive the rest of the funding. Those working to save Early Start are asking that we take these steps:

1. If your child has received Early Steps support, log on to Facebook @ "Save Early Steps" and explain what these services mean to your child and family. A number of dramatic stories of appreciation and concern have already been posted.
   
2. Address your legislators by writing or calling them directly.
   If you don't know what to write, simply email the message, "Save Early Steps." You can look up their contact information at:
   State Senators
   State Representatives
   Tips on what to say when calling your legislators
   
3. Inform friends and family and ask them to advocate for Early Steps as well.
4. Check with your local Early Steps for more information and recommendations.

For more information on the Early Steps program, visit the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.

The shortsightedness of excessive fiscal restraint could result in severe damage and ultimately cost the state a great deal more money in the long run.
As we well know, Early Intervention works. Investing as early as possible in children with challenges dramatically improves their chances to realized lives of achievement, fulfillment, and inclusion, All the research demonstrates that money spent early saves a great deal more money in the long run.

Very young preschool children who receive early intervention often achieve dramatic advances in their skill levels. Nearly all of the research indicates that children who are treated before the age of four show marked improvements in the development of cognitive, language and social skills. Furthermore, their parents express much less stress. (Anderson et al, 1987; Birnbrauer & Leach, 1993; Sheinkopf & Siegel, 1998; Smith et al, 2000; Weiss, 1999). Researchers at Ohio State University found a direct positive relation between early intervention and improved IQ scores. (Winerman, 2004)

A comprehensive collection of studies used to guide services in the state of New York recommends that to optimize chances for future success, any child under the age of three should begin to receive intervention therapy as soon as he or she is diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disability. (NY DoH, 1999)

In the Ohio State study, it was noted that if an individual with Autism fails to gain independent living skills, he or she would require $6 million dollars of support through age of 50. (Winerman, 2004) A recent Texas study demonstrated that if children with Autism received three years of intensive therapy, it would save their state $208,500 per child over 18 years of education. (Chasson, Harris, and Neely, 2007)

While all of us have had to tighten our belts in these difficult times, we need to pick carefully and understand just what it is we are sacrificing, Rather than reject all funding requests, we need to make decisions that are both humane and practical.

From generation to generation, we have always made sacrifices so that our children will realize a better future. This has always been the American legacy and mission. We have always been willing to step up and fight for the good of our children. Now is not the time to stop.





References:
Anderson SR, Avery DL, DiPietro EK, Edwards GL, & Christian WP, 1987. "Intensive home-based early intervention with autistic children." Education and Treatment of Children, 10, 352-366.

Birnbrauer JS & Leach DJ, 1993. "The Murdoch Early Intervention Program after 2 years." Behaviour Change, 10 (2), 63-74.    

Chasson G S, Harris GE, Neely WE, 2007, "Cost Comparison of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention and Special Education for Children with Autism." J Child Fam Stud 16:401-413. DOI 10.1007/s10826-006-9094-1. Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com/content/52q6k240l5125294/fulltext.pdf

NY DoH. 1999. "Clinical Practice Guideline: Report of the Guideline Recommendations Autism / Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Assessment and Intervention for Young Children (Age 0-3 Years)." New York State Department of Health. Retrieved from http://www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/disorders/autism/#contents

Sheinkopf S & Siegel B, 1998. "Home-based behavioural treatment of young children with autism." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 15-23.

Smith, T., Groen, A. D., & Wynne, J. W. (2000). "Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder." American Journal on Mental Retardation, 105 (4), 269-285.

Weiss M, 1999. "Differential rates of skill acquisition and outcomes of early intensive behavioral intervention for autism." Behavioral Interventions, 14, 3-22.

Winerman L, 2004. "Effective education for autism: Psychologists are working to help struggling schools--faced with limited budgets and increasing enrollment--educate children with autism." Monitor on Psychology, Vol 35, No. 11. American Psychological Association. Retrieved at http://www.apa.org/monitor/dec04/autism.aspx