Public Health: 34 children wait for Early Intervention services amid provider shortages

Tina McDougall, Director of Public Health, told the committee that Washington County currently has 138 children enrolled in Early Intervention and 34 children on a wait list for services that include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and special instruction. McDougall said children may be waiting for multiple services and waiting times vary; one child has waited over a year, a condition she attributed to a shortage of providers and low state-set reimbursement rates.

McDougall reported 35 providers serve Washington County across Early Intervention disciplines; the county and state have taken steps including a 5% reimbursement increase in the last state fiscal year, but McDougall said additional work is needed to reduce the wait list. The committee received the report; staff said they are actively working to decrease wait times.