Funding

Funding Eligible Services

State and Federal law requires that early intervention services be provided to eligible children at no cost to families. Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare/Office of Child Development receives money from the federal and state government, including Medical Assistance, Infants, Toddlers and Families (ITF) Medicaid Waiver and State tax dollars. The County Behavioral and Developmental Programs and Early Intervention Program receives an allocation from the Office of Child Development and provides local match dollars. In accordance with 4226.13, Early Intervention funds may not be used to satisfy a financial commitment for early intervention services if another public or private funding source is available to pay for the services as it is the funding of last resort.

When a child is eligible for Early Intervention services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed and each service is listed indicating the type of funding that will be used. Early Intervention eligible services can be funded in a variety of ways:

  • Infants, Toddlers and Families (ITF) Medicaid Waiver
  • Medical Assistance, EPSDT
  • Behavioral and Developmental Programs and Early Intervention Allocation
  • Private Insurance
  • Other/Generic Funding Sources

Non Early Intervention Services

Non Early Intervention Services are also documented on the IFSP and coordinated by the Service Coordinators and can be funded through accessing Community Resources through programs such as WIC, SSI, etc.

Private insurance may be used with the consent of the parent to pay for early intervention services as long as such use will not result in a cost to the family, including but not limited to the following:

  • A decrease in available lifetime coverage or any other benefit under an insurance policy.
  • An increase in premiums or the discontinuation of the policy.
  • An out-of-pocket expense such as the payment of a deductible amount in filing a claim.

Families are also under no obligation to apply for Medical Assistance in order to pay for early intervention services. However, Service Coordinators encourage and inform families about Medical Assistance benefits for children with disabilities regardless of parental income.

Services Available to Children

Services are available for children regardless of how services are funded. Services on the IFSP may not be denied or delayed because another public or private funding source, including Medicaid, is unavailable.

Some of the services that are eligible to be paid for through the Wayne County Early Intervention Program using the funding sources listed above, but are not limited to:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Physical Therapy
  • Audiology Services
  • Psychological Services
  • Family Training, Counseling
  • Service Coordination
  • Health Services
  • Social Work Services
  • Medical Services
  • Special Instruction
  • Nursing Services
  • Speech-Language Pathology
  • Nutrition Services
  • Transportation
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Vision Services