Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are some ideas for how policy solutions for families with children of disabilities can focus on getting them the services they need in both the short and long-term. 

•  What other support systems are available to these families? 

• Learn the significant challenges for children with disabilities brought about by COVID-19. 

Since schools and child care programs closed and stay-at-home orders went into effect, states and providers have been grappling with how to support young children with disabilities in a virtual environment. What has not been talked about, however, is how to support the parents of these young children, who, the data show, are generally experiencing higher rates of stress, depression, and anxiety than other parents.

Whether at home or in child care programs and schools, many services have been disrupted by the pandemic. Though federal guidance (PDF) indicates children by and large should continue receiving services under IDEA, some service providers say they have been given few tools to meaningfully administer services virtually, likely contributing to parental stress. The RAPID data show a threefold increase in uncertainty about access to early intervention services during the pandemic (17 percent of parents of children with disabilities surveyed, compared with 5 percent who said they were unsure about access before the pandemic)."

To support young children with disabilities, policy solutions need to focus not just on getting services to children but also on getting services to families. Policymakers will also need to recognize that stress, depression, and anxiety will not end when children return to school or child care but likely will have long-lasting effects that deserve attention beyond the pandemic. Policy solutions that address both short- and long-term needs include the following:

  • Clarifying requirements and alleviating uncertainties.
  • Expanding home visiting programs (even if they’re virtual).
  • Increasing support for community-based health centers.
  • Investing in telehealth (PDF) services for young children with disabilities.
  • Expanding safety net supports like Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).
  • Planning for recovery.

Read the full article about families with children with disabilities by Erica Greenberg and Philip Fisher at Urban Institute.