For more information, contact Kim Papich, SRHD Public Information Officer (509) 324-1539
 
SPOKANE, Wash. – May 21, 2013 – Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) announced today that it has been selected to hold the Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL) contract for Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT), continuing to serve as the lead agency for Spokane County.
 
This year’s contract totals $579, 890. SRHD uses these funds to ensure family resource coordinator (FRC) services are provided at no-cost to ESIT-enrolled families. FRCs are individuals who act as support for area families with young children who have developmental delays, or vision or hearing loss, helping them to access early intervention and other resources in the community.
 
FRCs who are funded through use of these dollars are distributed across multiple providers including at Spokane Guilds’ School and Neuromuscular Center, Youthful Horizons, Center for Pediatric Therapy, Stepping Stones Pediatric Therapy, Children FIRST, in area school districts, and at the health district. Equally allocating these dollars ensures better distribution of FRCs throughout the county, as well as capitalizing on resources and equalizing FRC caseloads
 
The ESIT contract is awarded to one agency within a county or region annually. As part of the contract application process this year, due to a need for increased federal accountability, DEL implemented a new approach, requiring agencies to prove their ability to meet higher expectations in assuring the delivery of early intervention services for eligible children, from birth to age three.
 
Awarding of the contract to SRHD validates the agency’s ability to:

• Identify children in the community with potential developmental delays and/or disabilities and help them access services as early as possible
• Assure a network of providers are in place within the community to serve these children
• Substantiate a coordinated system of care
• Enhance the capacity of families to meet their child's needs
• Ensure children are receiving the services they are entitled to under federal and state regulations
• Provide training and oversight to providers and all FRCs

Health district FRCs are part of the Infant Toddler Network program and embedded within a network of providers serving these children. They work closely with other practitioners as part of a multidisciplinary team. This coordinated, collaborative service improves not only the quality of care, but the efficiency of the overall program.
 
The health district remains committed to assuring the highest level of coordinated quality care to every child and family enrolled in the ITN program. It contributes to a strong network of providers collectively working to ensure every child achieves their full potential, regardless of where they receive services.
 
For more information, visit the SRHD Web site at www.srhd.org. The site offers comprehensive, updated information about Spokane Regional Health District and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community. Become a fan of SRHD on Facebook to receive local safety and wellness tips. You can also follow us on Twitter @spokanehealth.