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Disclaimer: This publication is intended to provide information only, and is not intended as legal advice. You should consult a lawyer if you need legal advice.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), Part C, is a federal law which provides financial assistance to states for the purpose of providing Early Intervention services to infants and toddlers (age birth through two) with disabilities. The purpose of these services is to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities and to minimize the potential for developmental delay. The services are provided through a coordinated network of providers, driven by the needs of the family and documented through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Not all services available through Early Intervention are free to families.
Document Publication Date March 2004
The following routine services are available at no cost to families in the Early Intervention program:
The following specialized services may be subject to a system of payment, fees or use of private insurance:
You may be asked to pay for specialized services provided to your child through the IFSP. If payment is requested from your family your income must be considered and charges should be calculated on a sliding fee scale in accordance with the ability of your family to pay. Other sources of funding can be used to pay for services such as family health insurance, Medicaid or other health benefits.
No. The screening and evaluation to determine whether your child is eligible for Early Intervention services and the recommendations for services must be provided to you free of charge. You may be asked to use your private insurance to pay for your child's evaluation. You may choose whether or not to use your insurance for Early Intervention services that should be at no cost. In making this choice you should consider if there would be a cost to you such as an insurance co-pay or an impact on your lifetime maximum insurance coverage.
If funds are available, specialized services can be paid for through the Early Intervention program if your team is in full agreement regarding the services, the services best support your family and its needs, there are no alternative sources of payment available, and the services will be performed in your child's natural environment. Natural environment is the place where your child would be cared for if he or she did not have a disability or delay (e.g., home, daycare center, playgroups or other everyday routine settings).
Before Early Intervention funds are considered, other available sources of funding should be used. Other sources of funding include: Private insurance or CHIP (e.g. EPSDT), Medicaid, Title V/Maternal Child Health (e.g., CFHS, Specialty clinics), Title V/Children with Special Health Care Needs (e.g., BCMH), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Title IV-E (family support/family stability funding through Children's Services, Other fund sources - State and Local (e.g., United Way, local tax levies), and State Funds (GRF).
No. Early Intervention funds cannot pay for medical health services that are routinely recommended for all children (e.g. immunizations and "well baby" care), medical services that are surgical in nature (e.g., hospitalizations or the prescription of medications), and devices necessary to control or treat a medical conditions.
There are several ways to resolve Early Intervention complaints including filing a complaint with your county Family and Children First Council (FCFC), and/or the Ohio Department of Health (ODH); and/or requesting mediation and/or an administrative hearing with ODH. For more information on Early Intervention services and resolving complaints see ODH/Bureau of Early Intervention Services Ohio Procedural Safeguards (on the internet at www.ohiohelpmegrow.org), or call 1-800-755-GROW.
Refer to the following sections on the OLRS Web site for more information about special education: