The recent decision made by the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) to delete Community based rehabilitative service (CBRS) as a reimbursable service effective June 30, 2010 is a travesty. This decision demonstrates a total disregard for what is in the best interest of disabled individuals, families and the public school systems in the state of North Carolina.

For those of you who took part in this decision without being well informed, I respectfully demand you review the following information. CBRS is a service available to support children and families from birth to age three who have been determined eligible by the Childrens Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) for the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program. CBRS is a developmental intervention uniquely designed to enhance cognitive, physical, behavioral, self-help, social-emotional, and language skills. This rehabilitative therapy for infants and toddlers is play with a purpose" which focuses on specific goals and objectives unique to each child. This intervention is designed to impart invaluable training, tools and advice to parents in order for them to be part of the intervention team.

There is mountains of research and evidence--both quantitative (data-based) and qualitative (reports of parents and teachers)--that early intervention increases the developmental and educational gains for the child, improves the functioning of the family, and reaps long-term benefits for society. Early intervention has been shown to result in the child: needing fewer special education and other habilitative services later in life; being retained in grade less often; and in some cases being indistinguishable from nonhandicapped classmates years after intervention.

Eliminating this service WILL impact our school system, there will be a dramatic increase in the amount of specialized services school aged children will require due to the lack of early intervention. More children will be identified at age 3 with special needs and will continue to need assistance. In the past, early intervention has made such a difference that these children no longer require services at age 3. This will cost our school system money, which will force them to make cuts in other areas (teacher pay, materials, class size, etc.). I continue to urge you to fight for what these children need and deserve.

With the recent announcement by the CDC that autism now affects nearly 1\% of children in this country, and with an estimated 40,000 new cases of autism diagnosed this year alone, it is imperative that North Carolina seize the initiative to increase early intervention services like CBRS, not remove funding for them - causing irreversible detriment. It truly is a matter of pay now or pay much more later - as our already over-burdened public school systems, and ultimately the tax payer, will face a crushing financial blow in years to come if this reprehensible decision comes to fruition.

All of you MUST support the effort to stop the elimination of CBRS early intervention services. Please be a champion for our children and show your support for early intervention! We implore the DMA to reinstate CBRS and to support its continuation.