In Rhode Island, hundreds of children have been waiting months, even up to a year, for crucial Early Intervention evaluations, despite federal law requiring an evaluation within 45 days of a referral. Some children have aged out before even getting off the waitlist, as they are no longer eligible once they turn 3.
However, as of March 8, the number of children waiting longer than 45 days had dropped significantly to 174, down from 736 in January 2024. This improvement is attributed to increased salaries for Early Intervention workers, making the jobs more competitive and reducing wait times.
The long wait times stem from staffing issues exacerbated by the pandemic, which led to high turnover rates and difficulties in retaining staff due to low wages. Despite initial efforts to address the crisis with a Medicaid rate increase and COVID relief funds, the waitlist persisted until Governor Dan McKee invested an additional $4 million in the program in 2024.
The investment, coupled with efforts to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates and provide additional mental health supports for workers, has led to a 75 percent reduction in the number of children waiting longer than the legal time frame. Early Intervention providers have seen success in attracting and retaining staff, allowing them to serve more children effectively and efficiently.
While the waitlist numbers have significantly improved, there is still work to be done to ensure timely services for all children in need. Meeting Street, one of the providers, has emphasized the importance of outreach to inform families about the reduced wait times and encourage them to seek Early Intervention services for their children before they age out of eligibility.
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