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Health Department contract aims to expand physical therapy access for infants and toddlers
Summary
The Board approved a consultant contract with Rachel Israel to provide physical therapy services for the Baltimore Infants & Toddlers Program, aimed at meeting federal timelines and increasing service capacity for roughly 1,800 children served by the program.
The Baltimore City Health Department asked the Board of Estimates to approve a consultancy contract with Rachel Israel to provide physical therapy services for children and families served by the Baltimore Infants & Toddlers Program (BITP). Dr. Michelle Taylor, the city's health commissioner, said the consultant contract responds to nationwide shortages of physical therapists and will help the program meet federal timelines for evaluations and service starts.
BITP serves children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or conditions that put them at risk. Dr. Taylor said the contract will support compliance with federal requirements (45-day evaluation timelines and 30-day service initiation), expand evaluation capacity, shorten wait times and promote equity for underserved families. She told the board BITP currently serves roughly 1,800 children.
The board moved and seconded the item and approved the contract; the mayor noted an abstention for this item. Dr. Taylor said staff will coordinate implementation and ensure the contract supports reaching capacity and federal timelines.
