Summary of Services, Programs, and Initiatives Provided to Virginians with Disabilities

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES (DMHMRSAS)

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: The Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia (Virginia's Part C Early Intervention Program)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: Children birth through age three (i.e., 0-36 months) are eligible for services through the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia if they have a developmental delay, atypical development, and/or a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in delay. All families referred to the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia are eligible to receive a multidisciplinary evaluation and assessment, the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and service coordination at no cost to the family. Specific early intervention supports and services deemed necessary are determined on an individual child and family basis. Those early intervention supports and services may include: assistive technology; audiology; family training, counseling and home visits; health services; medical services (for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only); nursing services; nutrition services; occupational therapy; physical therapy; psychological services; respite care; sign language and cued language services; social work services; special instruction; speech-language pathology; transportation; and vision services. IFSP services include a charge to families, and private insurance and/or Medicaid may cover some services. A sliding fee scale is available for families to ensure that charges are based upon ability to pay.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No -- There is no requirement to preauthorize services through the Lead Agency. There may be requirements to preauthorize through third party payors for certain services in order to receive reimbursement.
4. arget Population/s: Children birth through age three (i.e., 0-36 months) with disabilities (as defined in #2 above) and their families
5. Method of Administration: The Code of Virginia establishes an infrastructure of shared interagency responsibility for development and implementation of the early intervention system among various agencies at both the state and local levels. State: Administration is shared by nine (9) participating state agencies with DMHMRSAS as Lead Agency. Other participating state agencies are Department of Education, Department of Health, Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Social Services, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, and the Bureau of Insurance within the State Corporation Commission. Local: Forty (40) Local Lead Agencies, with the advice and assistance of local interagency coordinating councils, administer Part C services at the local level. Within the broad parameters established at the state level, localities determine exactly how their Part C systems will look based upon local resources and needs.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): In 2005, approximately 10,212 children were served.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): Part C funding available for SFY 2007 includes the following sources:
   • Federal Part C allocation - $10,127,614
   • State general funds - $7,125,000
   Local Lead Agencies also use other state and federal funds, local funds, family fees, insurance and private funding to provide early intervention supports and services for eligible children and their families.
   NOTE: Part C funds must be used as payor of last resort for direct services, after accessing all other public and private sources of funding (e.g., Medicaid, private insurance, family fees, state and local funds, contributions, etc.).
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service: Virginia has participated in the federal early intervention program (under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) since its inception in 1986.
10. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Mary Ann Discenza
    (804) 371-6592
    maryann.discenza@co.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov

   

Tim Kaine	Marilyn B. Tavenner	Patrick O. Gottschalk	Pierce R. Homer	Dr. Thomas R. Morris
Virginia Governor	Secretary of HHR	Secretary of Commerce & Trade	Secretary of Transportation	Secretary of Education