March and April Visits

Positive developments on the EI front. Dr. Josephine Shenouda, Director of Early Intervention Services in DOH joined the EIPA to discuss her goals for the coming year, which are analyzing childhood outcomes and bolstering Child Find. Included in the FY’26 budget is additional funding for Child Find to work with NICUs, host community-based events, and expanding the successful pilot screening program though WIC in Newark to include Cumberland County.  Discussion included the decline in applications and eligibility despite the stability of NJ birthrates, annual grant funding provided by the federal DOE, Medicaid, telehealth, confidentiality and payroll issues.  Josephine was recently provided with additional resources to add 8 more staff to her team of 12.

With the publication of a few bills which made clear the lack of understanding some in government have on how DDD provider agencies are run and operate, the CFOO Forum took it upon itself to have an open presentation/ discussion for DDD CFO, Will Cooper. Will clearly has a good idea of how the system operates, functions, and differs from the previous model, but this meeting enabled him to listen and ask specific questions on the impact the transition from contract based to FFS had on providers.  In a nutshell, the provider system transformed from a moderate risk/responsibility under contract to high risk/responsibility and autonomy under FFS.  It was a great meeting. Thanks to Will and the CFOO Forum for this important dialogue.