RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials are trying to figure out how to pay for services for disabled infants and toddlers as federal funding ends.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday that federal funding to help youngsters who have trouble walking or talking will end by July 1. Federal education laws require the services.
The program has provided therapists to go to homes and day care centers to show parents or teachers the best way to interact with young children to improve their physical and emotional development.
Pender County therapist Briana Kelly has started an online petition to keep the services and had nearly 400 signatures late Wednesday.
Brad Deen with the state Department of Health and Human Services says the services have cost Medicaid about $12 million in the past year.
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Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com
