The Use of Blended and Flexible Funding in Part C Programs at the Community Level

Abstract

The challenge of financing services is central to developing state and community systems for children ages birth to 3 years old and their families. A major barrier in the development of family–centered early intervention services is categorical funding for federal and state programs. Recently, the Subcommittee on Service Integration and Continuity of Services of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council (FICC) made a series of recommendations on service integration. One of these recommendations identified the pooling or blending of funds as a major strategy for integrating services for families of infants and toddlers with disabilities. This article presents the results of a telephone survey designed to explore funding strategies being used in community–based programs serving Part C–eligible children and their families. The results of the survey pointed to two general funding sources: (1) pooling or decategorization of public funds, and (2) the use of donated/raised funds for use by one or more programs to pay for unmet needs. In addition, three funding mechanisms emerged as being important to funding issues: (1) public–private partnerships, (2) the creation of more accessible services, and (3) the reduction in administrative costs. Examples of the funding sources and mechanisms reported are described below.