Washington's Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program Study Enrollment of Washington Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs in Washington State Public Programs

The analyses and results presented in this report provide baseline data for planning and discussion at the state and local levels, and facilitate decision making and priority setting for Washington's early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with delaying or disabling conditions. An estimated 2.5% of children under the age of three in the state of Washington have delaying or disabling conditions. The national prevalence rate estimated from the National Health Interview Survey (1.8% – 2.1%), whether adjusted for Washington State poverty levels or not, has been consistently higher than the Washington State enrollment rate. The enrollment rate (2.4% – 3.1%) for Medicaid eligible children, with family incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), was consistently higher than that for Non-Medicaid children (0.8% – 1.1%). For all Washington births, rural counties as a group have moderately higher enrollment rates. Very low birth weight and extreme prematurity were the risk factors associated with the highest enrollment rates, 21.8% and 19.3%, respectively.