Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is highly effective for infants and toddlers with disabilities — when they have access to it.
ECI is a federal-state program that contracts with community organizations, such as Any Baby Can and Easter Seals, to provide life-changing therapies and services to babies and toddlers with autism, Down syndrome, speech delays, and other disabilities and developmental delays.
In 2023, the Legislature provided funding to cover higher anticipated enrollment for the biennium but failed to significantly increase per-child funding.
Due to chronic underfunding, ECI providers have had to:
Reduce outreach efforts, leading to kids starting ECI services late or missing out on them altogether.
Reduce the amount of support for children enrolled in ECI due to staffing shortages and budget pressures.
We urge the Legislature to adequately fund ECI during the 2025 legislative session.
DOWNLOAD A PDF OF OUR TWO-PAGE FACT SHEET ON ECI.
Want to learn more about why ECI is so important to Texas infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays? Watch this video about Louise:
