Children with Special Needs
Early Intervention Program
As of January 1, 2005, the Department of Human Services will begin administering the
Early Intervention Program, a program for infants and toddlers under three years of age
who have developmental disabilities or developmental delays. There are currently eight
Early Intervention Providers in Rhode Island providing services to these children & their
families. Families can choose their Early Intervention Provider.
For more information on Early Intervention:
Katie Beckett is a special eligibility process that allows certain children with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs to obtain Rhode Island Medical Assistance coverage. Children who may be eligible must meet a specific level of care criteria. The ‘level of care’ criteria means that the child is in need of services such as those typically provided in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or institutional care facility for the mentally retarded (ICFMR).
For more information on Katie Beckett, see:
CEDARR Family Centers
CEDARR Family Centers offers families information on specific disabilities, treatment
options and referrals to community supports and assistance for their child with special
needs. CEDARR stands for: Comprehensive Evaluation, Diagnosis, Referral and
Re-evaluation. For more information:
CEDARR Direct Services
KIDS CONNECT (formerly called 'Therapeutic Child and Youth Care')
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has developed a new service called KIDS CONNECT. This service is for children and youth with special health care needs. It allows children with special health care needs to receive therapeutic services and supports in child and youth care settings.
Agencies interested in becoming certified providers should read the Certification Standards, prior to applying. Agencies must be licensed by DCYF. An application packet and Certification Standards are available below:
Home-Based Therapeutic Services Program
Home-Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS) are provided to children with Medical
Assistance coverage who have severe behavioral health and/or developmental disorders.
Services are individualized and are provided in the child's home or community by trained paraprofessionals who are overseen by licensed health care professionals. Parents participate
in the development of the treatment plan and are aware of and participate in helping their
child develop new skills that are specified in the treatment plan.For more information:
Personal Assistance Services and Supports (PASS)
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has developed a new service for children with
special health care needs and their families. Personal Assistance Services and Supports are consumer-directed and will provide flexibility in staffing that can maximize a family’s choice
and control. The core goal of this service is to facilitate independent community living and participation in the most natural and least restrictive environment.
DHS is now accepting applications from agencies to become certified to provide PASS
services. Technical Assistance is available. For more information, please contact Sharon M. Kernan, RN, MPH, Assistant Administrator, Center for Child and Family Health, at Sharonk@dhs.ri.gov.
For more information on PASS:
Respite Program for Children
Enrollment of Children with Special Needs into RIte Care
Children with special health care needs that have Medicaid fee-for-service coverage are
offered an option to enroll in RIte Care through the Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode
Island. Enrollment is voluntary at this time. Children who already have commercial health
insurance (in addition to Medicaid) will not be enrolled in RIte Care.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is offering families this choice to improve
access to needed health care services and to increase the availability of providers.
Member services and coordination of care are also available to families who enroll their
child in Neighborhood Health Plan.For more information, please call Neighborhood Health Plan at 1-800-459-6019
Certification Standards for Children's Intensive Services (CIS)
The Children’s Intensive Services (CIS) Program provides intensive community- based
services to children at risk for out-of-home placements. The CIS program is geared towards preventing psychiatric or other residential placements and is available for families who may
or may not be involved with DCYF.For more information please contact:
Christopher Counihan, Department of Children, Youth and Families at (401) 528-3796