The purpose of this bill is to provide funding to the Family Health Services Division, Department of Health for the continuance of the Early Intervention Service (EIS) program for the zero to three age range of children.

EIS provides services for children with special health care needs defined as those requiring more than the ordinary services in type or amount for children of this age. The National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs conducted its survey by "self-reporting"; that is, they contacted a random group of families and asked standard questions relating to their children's health care. Those on medications or those in physical therapy programs, for example, would be identified as special health care needs children.

Data from this survey in Hawaii indicates that approximately 6% of the zero to five populations, 4800 children, is children with special health care needs. These are children at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions.

In recent years much progress in understanding the growth and development of the human brain from before birth to five years of age has been made. Research has shown that, in a supportive environment, the brain can adapt and compensate for physical and psychosocial challenges as experienced by children with special health care needs. There is a "window of opportunity" for this age group, especially for the children from birth to three years. EIS takes advantage of this opportunity.

Pediatricians and other physicians providing care for very young children have an opportunity to identify children with special health care needs through the health assessment which includes developmental screening. Referral is made to the EIS for further evaluation and an individual family service plan (IFSP) is made. The physician provides a "Medical Home" to ensure follow-up of the service plan and monitoring of the child's progress. The Medical Home works collaboratively with EIS and the designated care coordinator.

We have in Hawaii an integrated system of care for children with special health care needs. This system provides a way for these children, at risk for delays, to reach their full potential. Planned interventions of this kind have been shown to make a significant difference with regard to reaching desired outcomes.

February 23, 2005