Translating Research into Policy Change: Advocating for Equitable Access to Early Therapy

Improvement in early detection for at-risk children has led to frequent referrals to early therapy services with the goal of improving long-term functional outcomes. Though the research surrounding these early interventions is growing, many children are unable to experience the benefits of early therapy because barriers exist to accessing these services through their state’s Early Intervention (EI) program. Pediatric physical and occupational therapists are often uniquely positioned to witness inequitable access to services; therefore, these professionals are increasingly involved in local and state-wide advocacy efforts to improve the access to care for infants and children.
This session will first review the federal legislation related to EI, enabling participants to have equal knowledge of the services that children and families are entitled to under law. Second, we will describe the research done by teams across the US, to study the barriers and facilitators to access to early therapy services in their communities. Lastly, through a panel discussion, we will detail how we used the findings of our research to influence policy and deliver legislative achievements. This includes EI eligibility criteria changes to broaden access for children, bureaucratic efforts to streamline the intake process after NICU discharge, and dedicated financial support from state agencies to update their procedures. Additionally, we will describe our efforts collaborating with early childhood advocacy groups, families, legislators, and statewide decision makers to translate research into system change. Through this discussion we aim to provide a framework others can use to influence change in their communities.