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County reports 34 infants and toddlers on early-intervention wait list
Summary
Public health staff told the committee Washington County has 34 unduplicated children (ages 0–3) waiting for early intervention services, with 12 waiting longer than six months; staff attributed delays to provider shortages and low state reimbursement rates.
Washington County public-health staff reported the county has 34 unduplicated children on the wait list for early-intervention services for ages 0–3, and that delays are tied to a shortage of providers and low state reimbursement rates.
"We do have currently have 34 children that are on the wait list, for services," the director said, noting the breakdown: 19 waiting 0–3 months, 11 waiting 3–6 months and 12 waiting more than six months, including one child waiting over a year. Staff explained early intervention providers contract with the state, the county pays after Medicaid and insurance and recoups 50% from its escrow account.
Committee members raised concerns about cascading impacts on school readiness and discussed possible partnerships with hospitals and center-based programs to increase capacity. Staff said some options—like center-based group therapy or recruiting providers via college programs—could help but that rate increases alone may not immediately produce more providers.
The committee took the item as informational and encouraged staff to pursue provider recruitment and partnership opportunities and to return with potential options for reducing wait times.
