In collaboration with the American Institutes of Research and Berkeley Planning Associates, WRMA conducted a benefit-cost analysis of California's current and possible future participation under Part H of P.L. 99-457. The scope of services provided for under this project included four components as listed in the Request for Proposal: analysis of existing and potential funding sources; analysis of private health insurance benefits; benefit-cost analysis of state participation; and a plan for financing the state's early intervention services.
The project was based on the findings of five other studies; the needs assessment information generated by the 26 Local Planning Areas (LPAs), and the recommendations of the Interagency Coordinating Council to develop the framework for examining the overall costs and benefits of California's participation in early intervention services as specified under Part H. Furthermore, this general cost-benefit framework served as a guideline for the design and implementation of the plan for the coordination of funding and service delivery for the state's early intervention services and was structured to address six major questions:
- What children and families will be served through the system?
- How will these children and families be brought into the system?
- What needs and strengths do these children and families have?
- What are the qualifications (personnel standards) necessary to provide these services?
- How will personnel be prepared?
- What kinds of management and monitoring are needed to see that the goals of early intervention are accomplished?
WRMA conducted the study of existing and potential funding sources and was a major participant in the cost-benefit analysis of state participation.
