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Texas Even Start Administrative Manual

June 2004, (Revised January 2008, September 2008)

Resources

ECI FAMILY COST SHARE SYSTEM

Information for Referral Sources

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What is the Family Cost Share System?

Beginning on January 1, 2004, families who can afford to pay will share in the cost of early childhood intervention services for their children. The amount a family will be asked to pay will be determined based on their adjusted gross income and their family size, or the actual cost of services on their IFSP, whichever is less, No child will be denied services because of a family’s inability to pay. Staff from ECI local programs will work with each family to determine their cost share. Payments will be made to the local programs.

Will all families have to pay a cost share?

Families with an adjusted gross income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or who are enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, food stamps, SSI or TANF cash benefits will be assigned a cost share of $0 and will not have to pay. If a family has private insurance that reimburses for any service within a month, the family will have a cost share of $) for that month. Services for children with auditory or visual impairments who are eligible for services from ECI and their local school district, and services for children in foster care or the conservatorship of the state are also at no cost to families.

Monthly costs for other families are capped at reasonable levels. For example, a family of four with an adjusted gross income of $40,000 will pay $10 per month. A family of four with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 will pay no more than $100 per month. Allowable expenses that will be e deducted from a family’s gross income to determine adjusted gross income include medical expenses, health insurance premiums and child care expenses. Families with more than one child enrolled in ECI will have only one Family Cost Share to pay.

Are any services provided at no cost to families?

Yes. ECI services provided at no cost to families include: evaluation and assessment; development of an Individualized Family Service Plan; and service coordination.

If families have concerns about whether they can afford services, encourage then to get a free evaluation and find out more about ECI.

How are ECI services unique?

ECI services are more than collections of therapies. They are planned to meet the needs of the family as well as the needs of the child. Families report that support and education for the family are some of the most valuable services ECI offers. ECI services are provided in homes and community settings. This enables ECI to address all areas of child development and help children function successfully in their daily lives.

Why is the Family Cost Share System needed?

It has always been the goal of Texas Early Childhood Intervention to identify and serve all eligible children and their families. As ECI has successfully worked toward that goal, more children have been served each year. In FY 1995 comprehensive services were proved for 118,751 children, in FY 2000 for 29,407 and in FY 2003 for 42,458 children. As numbers have increased, there has been a need for additional funding to cover the cost of services. One way that ECI is meeting the need for increased funding is through the Family Cost Share System. Additional revenue will help make it possible to continue offering services to all eligible children and families in Texas.

How can I find more information?

Additional Information can be obtained from local ECI programs or by calling 1-800-250-2246. The complete Family Cost Share Rules can be found under “Rules & Statutes” on the ECI website: http://www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis/overview.shtml

ECI Family Cost Share System Fact Sheet

Family Cost Share Sliding Fee Scale (effective March 1, 2006)

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