Bill Text: NJ ACR233 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Governor and DOH to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" in New Jersey Early Intervention System.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-06-15 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [ACR233 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-ACR233-Introduced.html
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 233
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MARCH 6, 2017
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TROY SINGLETON
District 7 (Burlington)
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Governor and DOH to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" in New Jersey Early Intervention System.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor and the Department of Health to expand early intervention services to include "at-risk infants or toddlers."
Whereas, Part C of the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (IDEA) established an early intervention program, administered at the state level, in which infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who have been diagnosed with a physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay are eligible to receive appropriate screening and early intervention services through the program; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) provides early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers, from birth through two years of age, with an emphasis on improving measurable outcomes for the children served so that they are ready for preschool and kindergarten; and
Whereas, Early intervention services comprise a range of targeted services such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, and hearing or vision services to address the child's specific needs, and to help the child to catch-up with peers, greatly improving the child's chances for success in school and in other facets of life; and
Whereas, Governing federal law gives each state the option as to whether to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" defined as "an individual under three years of age who would be at risk of experiencing a substantial developmental delay if early intervention services were not provided to the individual," among those eligible for early intervention services; and
Whereas, "At-risk infants or toddlers" are not currently eligible for early intervention services through the NJEIS, despite the prevalence of circumstances that may put an infant at-risk of later experiencing developmental delay, such as serious neonatal illness, homelessness, low birth weight, and abuse or neglect, among other circumstances; and
Whereas, It is widely acknowledged in the medical community that maternal postpartum depression is linked to developmental delays in infants, as well as to feeding, sleep, and behavioral problems, and a recent study found that postpartum depression was significantly correlated with gross motor and problem solving skill delays in infants aged six months through 18 months; and
Whereas, It is estimated that in the United States more than 600,000 women per year experience symptoms of postpartum depression; and
Whereas, Pennsylvania includes "at-risk infants or toddlers" among those eligible for early intervention services in its program, and legislation recently introduced in Pennsylvania would include children born to mothers who are at high risk for postpartum depression and referred by a physician, health care provider, or parent among those deemed "at-risk" for developmental delay; and
Whereas, Any costs associated with expanding the eligibility for early intervention services to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" would undoubtedly save the State immeasurable future spending necessary to address the considerable educational, employment, health, and social service needs of persons with developmental delays that were not screened for and effectively treated in early childhood; and
Whereas, In order to protect vulnerable infants and toddlers who are entirely dependent on their parents and caregivers from the lifelong challenges posed by developmental delays that are not timely diagnosed and addressed by qualified specialists; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The Legislature respectfully urges the Governor and the Department of Health to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" among those eligible for early intervention services through the New Jersey Early Intervention System.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to Governor Christie and the Commissioners of the Departments of Health, Education, and Human Services.
STATEMENT
This resolution respectfully urges the Governor and the DOH to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" among those eligible for early intervention services through the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS).
Part C of the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (IDEA) established an early intervention program, administered at the state level, in which infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who have been diagnosed with a physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay are eligible to receive appropriate screening and early intervention services. NJEIS provides early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers, with an emphasis on improving measurable outcomes for the children served so that they are ready for preschool and kindergarten.
Governing federal law gives each state the option as to whether to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" defined as "an individual under three years of age who would be at risk of experiencing a substantial developmental delay if early intervention services were not provided to the individual," among those eligible for early intervention services. "At-risk infants or toddlers" are not currently eligible for services through the NJEIS, despite the prevalence of circumstances that may put an infant at-risk of later experiencing developmental delay, such as serious neonatal illness, homelessness, low birth weight, and abuse or neglect.
It is widely acknowledged in the medical community that postpartum depression is linked to developmental delay in infants, as well as to feeding, sleep, and behavioral problems. A recent study found that postpartum depression was significantly correlated with gross motor and problem solving skills delay in infants aged six months through 18 months old. It is estimated that in the United States more than 600,000 women per year experience symptoms of postpartum depression.
Any cost associated with expanding the eligibility for early intervention services to include "at-risk infants or toddlers" would undoubtedly save the State immeasurable amounts in future spending necessary to address the considerable educational, employment, health, and social service needs of persons with developmental delays that were not screened for and effectively treated in early childhood. In order to protect vulnerable infants and toddlers who are entirely dependent on their parents and caregivers from the lifelong challenges posed by developmental delays that are not timely diagnosed and addressed by qualified specialists, this resolution urges the Governor and DOH to expand early intervention services to include "at-risk infants or toddlers."
