Outpatient Services to be Discontinued in January 2016

Wakefield, RI Easter Seals RI is a certified Early Intervention provider for children birth to age three for nearly 10 years. In 2011, Easter Seals RI began providing Outpatient services to many school-age children and families in RI. Sadly, these services will end on January 28, 2016, due to lack of adequate funding. Despite implementing a variety of measures to save this highly-subsidized program, which serves children ages three and older with disabilities and special needs, the funding is just not viable.

As is the case with many non-profit agencies, funding such programs that include occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy, requires financial support. A lack of increase in the Rhode Island Medicaid rates, have made offering this service no longer an option.

Outpatient services will continue until January 28. Easter Seals therapists are working with each of the 22 families affected by the program’s closure on an individual basis to help transition their child to another program in the state.

“Closing this program was a difficult decision and our top priority was ensuring our dedicated employees and the children and families they serve are taken care of,” said Easter Seals RI Director of Programs Susan Hawkes. “The health care environment is changing in Rhode Island and the services we have provided are being increasingly denied by insurance companies as our patient’s needs are not acute, but developmental in nature.” 

Easter Seals RI staff will remain with the organization providing Early Intervention services. We are grateful to be able to continue providing these important services to more than 400 children and families who benefit from them.

About Easter Seals RI
Easter Seals RI provides exceptional services to ensure that all children and young adults with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. To learn more about Easter Seals RI visit, www.easterseals.com/rhodeisland

 

 

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