New Report Shows Progress in Funding Mechanisms for D.C.’s Early Intervention Program, But Further Improvements Necessary

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Contact: Diane Shinn 

New Report Shows Progress in Funding Mechanisms for D.C.’s Early Intervention Program, But Further Improvements Necessary

OSSE lacks an effective written methodology for estimating the number of children and toddlers who need life-changing services

WASHINGTON, December 7, 2018 – Planning by the Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) that drives the budget for the D.C. Early Intervention Program (DC EIP) has significantly improved in the last year, but the program still needs policies for developing its annual budget to ensure all infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays get the services they need, according to a new report from the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor (ODCA).

“It is imperative for an agency to have a documented, forward-looking budget that is based on quality data and reliable assumptions,” said D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson. “A budget based solely on the past year’s expenditures, as we found during our review, does not consider changing financial climates or population in the District, and does not provide OSSE with an accurate plan to fully achieve the goals of the DC EIP program.”

The report, requested by D.C. Council Education Committee Chair David Grosso, also found a need to strengthen internal controls in OSSE’s review, approval, and payment processes of invoices from service providers. In his letter requesting the audit, Grosso affirmed his belief that early intervention services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays can be life-changing for children and families and requested answers to specific programmatic questions be included in the audit.

During its extended review process, ODCA notes that OSSE reported making significant strides in developing a written methodology for the DC EIP program budget and also reported that current changes in the DC EIP leadership, service delivery model, financial procedures, and data system enhancements will help better achieve the goals of the early intervention program.

In addition, ODCA notes that in meeting the goal in OSSE’s FY 2014 Performance Accountability Plan, OSSE and DHCF reported that they have established a system for the submission of reimbursement claims for the cost of early intervention services and OSSE received the first Medicaid reimbursement in September 2018. “This is a huge step forward and will help cover some of the cost previously borne by the District,” Patterson said.

Among ODCA’s recommendations are that:

• OSSE should develop a written budget methodology for the program, follow it in a transparent fashion, and provide documentation to the D.C. Council and the public. The budget formulation should also include determination of the cost of providing early intervention services to eligible children, and to those under different insurance categories.

• OSSE should continue its collaboration with the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) to ensure that procedures are in place for the timely submission of Medicaid claims for reimbursement. The agency should also explore additional sources of funding for the program.

• OSSE should continue the enhancement of the new data system to ensure data integrity and report reliability, particularly in the number of children who receive services and the number of service hours provided.

• OSSE should also monitor the impact brought about by any changes in funding to the number of service hours and participants in the program.

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