The Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program is Texas’ implementation of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C, which supports infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), ECI provides individualized services and family-centered support to enhance children’s development and help families promote learning within everyday routines. Services may include developmental, speech, occupational and physical therapy, as well as specialized instruction and case management, coordinated through local ECI contractors across the state.
Program evaluation
The Kinder Institute will use linked administrative data from the Texas HHSC and the Texas Education Agency, accessed through the University of Houston. The study will examine the long-term impact of the ECI program on children’s educational outcomes, including academic achievement, attendance, disciplinary actions and participation in special education. In parallel, a complementary analysis will explore the program’s potential cost savings to Medicaid and compare the overall benefits and costs of ECI services.
