Equity and Disparity in Access to Services

Abstract

Young children with developmental delays can benefit from early intervention under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only if they are identified and served before the age of 3 years. IDEA mandates Child Find activities to promote access to Part C services, that is, to promote identification of children and referral for and enrollment in services. An evaluation of Hawai`i's early intervention Child Find examined the equity of access to referral and enrollment across various subpopulations. Reassuring results were obtained for low-income and immigrant households, but access for children from military families appeared to be less equitable. The study provided conflicting evidence with respect to access for children whose parents spoke little English. Uninsured children experienced the greatest disparity in access. Recommendations to improve Child Find services include expanded outreach among military families and families whose children lack health insurance. Future evaluations of equity would be facilitated by more complete statewide data systems and by qualitative studies of the perceptions of referred families and referring professionals. Other states are encouraged to undertake similar evaluations.