Advocating for Automatic Eligibility for Early Intervention Services for Children Exposed to Lead.

Abstract

Lead poisoning remains one of the most prevalent and preventable environmental health hazards affecting children. Low-level lead exposure has been shown to significantly increase the risk of learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and developmental delay. It also has substantial social implications as lead toxicity disproportionately affects children from low-income, ethnic minority households. Early Intervention (EI) is a state-based federal program (Part C of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) created to support the development of children from birth to age 3 years who are experiencing or who are at risk for developmental delay. In 2016, an Illinois EI and Lead Workgroup was established to address the best practice of offering EI services to children who have been exposed to lead. This work serves as a template for advocates and health providers in other states to establish automatic eligibility for EI services at low levels of lead exposure, while also demonstrating the capacity to serve these children without overwhelming the state's EI system. [Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(10):e413-e418.].