Essential Services at Stake: Legislative Decisions
Category: News
March 20, 2025
Legislative Needs to Ensure Services
As a nonprofit and family resource center, we’re always working to improve the lives of parents and children in our area, regardless of whether they’re enrolled in our services. Strong families are core to a thriving community and a community we all want to live in!
Funding programs that improve a child’s health, school readiness and parental well-being should be a priority this legislative session. Here are some ways that legislative decisions and budgeting impact Any Baby Can’s programs.
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
What it is
Our Early Childhood Intervention program provides life-changing therapies and services to babies and toddlers with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental delays and disabilities. Kids under the age of three who qualify can receive occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, specialized skills training, medical case management and more… right in their home or daycare. ECI uses parent coaching to help families support their child's learning and development, during and between sessions.
Data
In 2022, 85.5% of the 65,584 children eligible for ECI services in Texas had developmental delays--this is an increase of 9% over 2021. Nearly 1 in 11 children (9.0%) live in households that experienced medical hardships, defined as problems paying for the child’s medical or health care bills during the past 12 months. The prevalence of medical hardship was more than twice as high among children with special health care needs than children without special health care needs.
Sources:
- ECI Data Reports, 2022. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/assistive-services-providers/early-childhood-intervention-programs/eci-data-reports
- Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Material Hardship Among Children report 2022. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/mchb/data-research/nsch-data-brief-2022-material-hardship.pdf
What’s at stake
The Texas per-child funding for ECI has fallen 38% since 2010 (when accounting for inflation). Medicaid reimbursement rates for key ECI services have not been updated since 2011. Chronic underfunding threatens the quality and availability of services for Texas children.
To ensure access to these vital services, we request the Legislature:
- Provide a 6% increase to Medicaid reimbursement rates for Specialized Skills Training and Targeted Case Management.
- Build off the strong starting point in Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1 and raise per-child funding for ECI.
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
What it is
Our Nurse-Family Partnership program connects pregnant women with specialized registered nurses through pregnancy and the first two years of the child's life. The evidence-based, home-visitation program aims to improve pregnancy outcomes, decrease pre-term births, and empower moms and their partners to create better futures for themselves and their babies.
Data
The death rate among women of reproductive age has risen since 2011 after declining between 2003 and 2011.
Overall the Texas fertility rate rose 2%. Among Hispanic women 25 and older, fertility rates rose 8%. And while teen fertility rates had been steadily falling in Texas, down 67.2% between 2007 and 2021, 2022 saw a slight rise in overall teen birth. Meanwhile, the number of women’s health providers across the country decreased between 2019 and 2021.
Sources:
- Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/parents-under-pressure.pdf
- Gemmill, Alison et al. “Mortality Rates Among U.S. Women of Reproductive Age, 1999–2019.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 62, no. 4 (April 2022): 548–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.10.009. https://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr_2023hwc_comprehensivereport_final_web.pdf
- University of Houston, Reproductive Health Update January 2024. https://www.uh.edu/class/ws/irwgs/research/reproductive-health/reproductive-health-update-january-2024/index
- S. HHS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Plan and Provider Enumeration System.
What’s at stake
More babies in Texas are born with greater needs, and that’s only going to increase. Programs like NFP play a role in empowering parents—many of whom fall significantly below the poverty level—during their transition to parenthood. The challenges of growing a family with that kind of stress affect both parent and child.
To ensure access to these vital services, we request the Legislature:
- Increase $11M over the biennium for the Texas Home Visiting Program to serve more Texas families by expanding NFP sites. Part of the funding can be used to receive a maximum federal match through Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV).
- Increase $8.5M over the next two years for the Texas Nurse-Family Partnership to retain and add nurse home visitors to serve more families in more places across the state.
Parents as Teachers (PAT)
What it is
Parents as Teachers partners with parents to set a solid foundation that shapes their child's future. Certified Parent Educators facilitate activities between parents and children, and help parents form strong relationships with their children. Parents as Teachers is a nationally recognized, evidence-based model that focuses on creating stable and safe family environments, addressing developmental delays, increasing school readiness, and encouraging parental involvement in their school and community.
Data
Texas ranks 43rd out of 50 states in overall child well-being. 26% have parents who lack secure employment, and 20% of children live in poverty. As early as 18 months, low-income children begin to fall behind in vocabulary development and other skills critical for school success. Less than 50% of Texas’ 3rd graders meet or exceed 3rd-grade reading levels. An indication of the lack of preparation in early childhood and adverse experiences affecting growth, development, and long-term success.
Sources:
- Annie E. Casey, 2024 Kids Count Data Book
- Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
- Texas Education Agency report
What’s at stake
Personalized home visitation programs have many quantifiable results. Families who participate in Parents as Teachers see improved outcomes: they’re more up to date on immunizations, better prepared for kindergarten, and much more. We also see a reduction in child abuse or neglect and reduced rates of childhood obesity. Overall, PAT improves the health of the children and parents in the program.
To ensure access to these vital services, we request the Legislature:
- Maintain funding for child abuse prevention programs, such as Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES), Nurse-Family Partnership, Texas Home Visiting, and non-home visiting programs.
No Estás Solo and Parent Support Groups
What it is
Any Baby Can offers mental health counseling provided by licensed, bilingual counselors. Our counselors help families develop skills in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and self-advocacy. We also offer support groups for parents who are not current Any Baby Can clients.
Data
Research has shown that how parents and caregivers interact with infants has a significant impact on the child's mental health as they grow older. One study found that children of a primary caregiver who reported poor mental health were four times more likely to have poor general health (5.1% vs 1.3%) and two times more likely to have mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders (41.8% vs 21.0%).
Sources:
- Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/parents-under-pressure.pdf
What’s at stake
Early brain development is influenced by children’s day-to-day interactions with their caregivers. The brain is strengthened by positive early experiences, especially stable relationships with caring and responsive adults in safe and supportive environments.
To ensure access to these vital services, the Legislature should:
- Invest $2.85M per year as current funding will expire by the end of 2025 ($150,000 per site and $900,000 per year to provide oversight, evaluation, and technical assistance).
- Additional funding may be available through Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) from HHSC, as this is an allowable expense for prevention providers.
Investment in Our Future
Investment in these crucial programs and Medicaid reimbursement rates will ensure a brighter future for Texas kids and families! Any Baby Can invites you to support these important priorities to improve access to our programs and services.
Contact your representatives and ask them to invest in these important programs. Share your personal stories on how these programs have impacted your families.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4!
- Find out who represents you.
- Search your house reps contact info.
- Search your senate reps contact info.
- Send an email! Share some stats from this post or tell them what’s at stake when funding these critical programs.
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