GAO Seeks Greater Early Childhood Coordination between HHS and ED
To improve access to childcare for preschool children and their parents with disabilities, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified barriers and recommended specific actions for the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education (ED) to facilitate communication of services offered.
According to the GAO's analysis of data from the 2019 Early Childhood Program Participation Survey and the 2022 Survey of Income and Program Participation, an estimated 2.2 million children aged five and under and 3 million parents of children in this age group have a reported disability.
After interviewing a sample of parents and providers, the GAO identified six barriers to services, including "physically inaccessible facilities; exclusion from activities; suspension and expulsion from programs; early intervention and special education services provided off-site; delays in receiving early intervention and special education services; and safety concerns."
Providers reported staffing shortages and funding constraints as their main barriers. In summarizing their findings, GAO recommended that the Agencies coordinate to leverage existing and planned information sharing to better promote Parent Training and Information Centers and other pertinent resources to help parents of children with disabilities.
You can also read the supplemental material here.