Finance Resource Organization Links

Families USA
Serve as a consumer clearinghouse for information about the health care system and is a network of organizations and individuals working for the consumer perspective in national and state health policy. Network members include The Medicaid Advocacy Network, The Children's Health Campaign, and The Medicare Action Network.

• Covering Services for Children with Special Needs Under Medicaid, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Private Insurance (November 2003)

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

• EPSDT and Title V Collaboration to Improve Child Health EPSDT -- The Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program is the child health component of Medicaid. It's required in every state and is designed to improve the health of low-income children, by financing appropriate and necessary pediatric services. This website provides information about how EPSDT works with public health, families, managed care organizations, pediatricians, and other health providers. (downloaded 9/15/10)

The Finance Project
A non-profit policy research, technical assistance and information organization created to help improve outcomes for children, families and communities nationwide.

Alliance on Early Childhood Finance
The Alliance was established to address the need for deeper, more comprehensive and sophisticated exploration of Early Care and Education finance. The Alliance seeks to lead a national conversation, and to engage a wide range of stakeholders - from government, business, philanthropy, as well as among the provider community and the families they serve.

Center for Special Education Finance (CSEF)
Established to address fiscal policy questions related to the delivery and support of special education services throughout the United States and disseminate up-to-date information to stakeholders at all levels.

Family Voices
A national, grassroots clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs and related public financing programs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
US Department of Health and Human Services official site for resources regarding Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP.

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
US Department of Health and Human Services official site that provides materials of interest to various audiences regarding SCHIP, also known as Title XXI, as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 including legislative and regulatory guidance.

IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinator's Association (ITCA)
A membership organization for state Part C coordinators that promotes mutual assistance, cooperation, and exchange of information and ideas in the administration of Part C of the IDEA.

National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS)
A longitudinal study following more than 3,300 children with disabilities or at risk for disabilities and their families through their experiences in early intervention and into early elementary school.

Office of Head Start Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) System
The Office of Head Start's Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) system supports program staff in delivering high-quality services to children and families.

• A Fiscal Management Checklist for Partnerships (NCCIC/QUILT Project, 2006) focuses on the fiscal aspects of early education partnerships. Although some of the questions can apply to a single entity that blends various sources of funding, such as, child care subsidies, parent fees, pre-K, Head Start, partnerships between separate programs, entities or with family child care providers will find the checklist most useful.

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP)
conducts policy analysis; provides training and technical assistance to states; produces informational resources; and convenes state, regional, and national forums. The site includes information related to Medicaid and includes The Premium Assistance Toolbox for States funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's State Coverage Initiatives program. The Tool Box is a health insurance purchasing strategy in which a state uses public funds to pay for a portion of the premium costs of employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) for eligible populations.

• Paying for Improvement -- Resources on the costs and financing associated with the delivery of early childhood health and developmental services. Includes a guide to federal funding for early childhood supports and services, an evidence base for the types of programs that have been demonstrated to be effective, the potential for returns to society that exceed the resources invested in program delivery, and specific information on ABCD states' strategies to pay for improvement.