1. ITCA Meeting December 2, 2007 OSEP Early Childhood Conference
Federal Update
ITCA Meeting
December 2, 2007
OSEP Early Childhood Conference

2. 110th Congress
1st session expected to adjourn in December – back from Thanksgiving break tomorrow
Small majority in House and Senate makes passage of legislation difficult
Veto climate
Must complete all appropriations bills
A number of reauthorizations pending some from previous Congresses
Numerous bills also under consideration
Upcoming 2008 election is a significant variable

3. Pending Bills Significant to Children and Families
SCHIP Reauthorization
Head Start Reauthorization
No Child Left Behind Reauthorization
Higher Education Act Reauthorization
Mental Health Parity
Medicaid
SAMHSA Reauthorization
Developmental Disabilities Reauthorization
NIH Reauthorization

4. Other Legislation Under Consideration
Related to the war
Electronic surveillance
Toy safety and food safety
Infrastructure
Energy
Bacterial infection
Medicare
Mortgage crisis

5. OSERS Appointment
President Bush has nominate Tracy Ralph Justesen as Assistant Secretary for OSERS
Currently Deputy Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Was at Justice Dept and White House in Domestic Policy

6. FY 2008 Federal Appropriations
President vetoed the Labor, HHS, Education bill that was $9.8 billion higher than President’s Budget request
House was 2 votes short of over-riding the bill
Bill includes a $153.6 million increase for Head Start, a $32.5 million increase for Child Care and freeze for IDEA preschool
New Continuing Resolution runs until December 14, 2007
Negotiations may result in cuts

7. Senate recommended an increase ($436,400-$450,000)
IDEA Part C Funding
President recommended a $13 million cut
Senate recommended an increase ($436,400-$450,000)
House recommended a freeze at current level
Conference bill included a $6.8 million increase

8. IDEA Part B Update
Technical Edits Published October 30, 2007
Multi Year IEP Demo- Request for Applications Due February 11, 2008
Paperwork Waiver Demo- Request for Applications Due February 11, 2008

9. Part C Regulations
Proposed Regulations Posted to Federal Register- May , 2 years after IDEA took effect on July 1, 2005
Comment period on NPRM closed July 23, 2007
Received over 3,500 comments
LRP article quoted Ruth Ryder that they are “hoping to have something out in final by the summer, maybe late summer.”

10. President’s Proposals for Medicaid
Cut federal Medicaid spending by at least $45 billion in the next 10 years
’08 budget includes proposals to cut Medicaid and make changes to the program’s provisions
Includes changes related to rehabilitation, administrative claiming and transportation as well as targeted case management changes to Medicaid reimbursement

11. Medicaid Update
NPRM on reimbursement for rehabilitation – Administration says will save $2.29 b. in 5 years- Comments closed 10/12/07
NPRM on transportation and administrative claiming – Administration says will save $3.6 b in 5 years- Comments closed 11/6/07
NPRM on targeted case management to be released this week
Various moratorium efforts underway in the Congress

12. SCHIP Reauthorization
October 3 - President Bush vetoed the first State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization bill
House tried unsuccessfully (needed 13 more votes) to over-ride veto H.R Senate had a veto proof margin
House and Senate passed a revised bill
President promises to veto
Bipartisan Congressional efforts push for a compromise the President will sign

13. SCHIP – Next Steps
Currently the program continues under the CR that expires December 14, 2007
At Thanksgiving recess, efforts to find a compromise are at a stalemate
Consideration of a year-long extension until Set 30, 2008 at current level
Up to 21 stares to experience shortfalls if extension lasts all year

14. Head Start Reauthorization
The House passed the Conference Report for “Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 by a vote of 381 to 36.
The Senate passed the bill by 95 to 0.
The President is expected to sign into law in December

15. Head Start
Requires at least one full-time infant and toddler specialist in every state and ensures training in infant and toddler development for all Early Head Start teachers.
Increases credentials in Early Head Start centers. 
Requires State Advisory Councils on Early Education and Care across programs 0-6
The final bill eliminates the National Reporting System (NRS).