Colorado Officials Assure Continuation of Early Childhood Services Amidst Budget Concerns
In a significant development on Tuesday, state officials reassured concerned parents of infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities that their essential services would continue until the end of the fiscal year. The Department of Early Childhood addressed the panic caused by a memo sent last week, which mistakenly indicated imminent service cuts. This clarification came during a virtual meeting attended by approximately 300 families who had feared losing crucial support for their children. The Early Intervention program serves around 11,000 children monthly, providing vital therapies such as physical, speech, occupational, and nutritional assistance to help children aged birth to three years.
The confusion began when a memo was circulated among contractors last week, outlining changes effective March 3, 2025. It suggested limiting services to four hours per month and restricting Medicaid-enrolled children to only those services eligible for Medicaid payments. These proposed changes would have excluded important services like mental health and nutrition support. The memo cited a $4 million budget shortfall as the reason for these cost-containment measures. However, department officials quickly backtracked, acknowledging the mistake in communication and apologizing for any distress caused.
To address the concerns raised by families, the state legislature’s joint budget committee convened an emergency meeting. They committed to finding funds to maintain current service levels through the fiscal year. The online forum held on Tuesday allowed families to voice their worries and receive direct responses from department officials. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Department of Early Childhood, emphasized the importance of accountability and promised clearer communication moving forward.
Some parents expressed shaken confidence in the system due to the lack of transparent updates. One parent shared concerns about the potential shortage of providers, noting that her child's therapist had quit amid the turmoil. Mary Alice Cohen, Director of Program Delivery, acknowledged the challenges faced by providers and assured efforts to address these issues. The department also scheduled future listening sessions to engage more closely with families and providers.
Department officials recognized the need for better communication and pledged to involve families earlier in decision-making processes. They emphasized the importance of parental voices in shaping policies and ensuring that critical early intervention services remain robust and accessible. The joint budget committee continues to work diligently to prevent further cuts and secure necessary funding for these essential programs.