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Committee reviews early learning, developmental‑disability spending; governor proposes $15M one‑time child‑care installment and $4.2M ongoing
Summary
Legislative analysts and department leaders told JFAC the reorganization moves many DD and early learning programs under Medicaid, and the governor’s recommendation includes one‑time child‑care funding installments plus an ongoing increase; members asked about SWITC facility improvements and START certification progress.
At the Feb. 20 Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee hearing, Legislative Services analyst Alex Williamson and Health and Welfare leaders presented the fiscal year 2026 request for services for people with developmental disabilities and for early learning and child‑care programs. The department explained that reorganization has moved many developmental‑disability services into Medicaid and created a new Early Learning and Development division.
Williamson told the committee that the division historically had three programs: community developmental‑disability services, the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center (SWITC) in Nampa, and extended employment services. She said the reorganization places many DD services under Medicaid and moves the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) into Early Learning and Development.
Why it matters: the committee was asked to consider both ongoing and one‑time proposals. The governor recommended $15 million one‑time per year (installments over three years)…
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