Report from ECI Stakeholder Workgroup

On December 3 and 4th DARS engaged stakeholders to explore options and make recommendations for narrowing eligibility for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services. Eligibility criteria may be adjusted to serve children at levels consistent with the level of funding appropriated.

Stakeholder input and recommendations will inform DARS’ decisions about how eligibility may be narrowed for ECI services. No changes to the rules related to eligibility will be made without additional public input. This is a preliminary activity only.

Stakeholders included in developing these recommendations were pediatricians, practitioners (Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, an Occupational Therapist, and Early Intervention Specialists), program administrators, and parents of children with disabilities.

Report

The report of recommendations and the process used to develop those recommendations is now available on the report from the ECI Stakeholder Workgroup. (PDF Version)| (Text version without slides).

Public Input

DARS is accepting comments on the information in the report. Comments may be sent to CCEA@dars.state.tx.us. If after the session DARS determines that ECI eligibility must be narrowed, DARS will follow the rule making process including holding a public hearing and publishing proposed rules prior to adoption.

For those needing an alternate format of the full report, please contact CCEA.