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Overview
The shortage extends to Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) providers who are qualified to diagnose and treat people with autism spectrum disorder or related conditions.
The EIDBI benefit is a Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP). The purpose of the EIDBI benefit is to provide medically necessary early intensive intervention for people with ASD and related conditions, as well as:
- Educate, train and support their parents and families.
- Promote people’s independence and participation in family, school and community life.
- Improve long-term outcomes and the quality of life for people and their families.
See below for a complete list of EIDBI providers.
For more information on provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities, see EIDBI – Policy Manual – Overview of Providers
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Impact
The provider shortage prevents many people from receiving the treatment or care they need. Families who receive services are often faced with long waiting lists or required to travel a great distance to access services and supports for their children.
A recent study from the Minnesota Autism Developmental Disabilities Monitoring network in Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka counties found approximately one in 34 or 3% of 8-year-old children were identified with ASD. The average age of diagnosis was 4 years 11 months. ASD might be diagnosed in children as young as 18 to 24 months; however, many children are identified when they enter school or when the social demands exceed their skill levels. A delay in proper diagnosis results in a delay in accessing early intervention services.
Significant disparities were also found across race and ethnicity. Black children were more likely to have received another diagnosis first. American Indian children were less likely to be identified or more likely to be mis-identified. Hispanic children had higher ASD prevalence than White, Black, and Asian/Pacific Islander children. Hmong, Somali and Hispanic children are identified later or not at all. There is a critical need to expand the workforce to:
- Ensure early and equitable identification.
- Increase access to supports.
- Reduce the delay to early intervention services.
Providers are also challenged to recruit and train a sufficient number of staff to serve the number of people who need treatment. Staff retention is also affected by reimbursement rates, lack of training to meet the demands of the position, staff burn out and competition from other employers.
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What we’re doing
Advisory group
The EIDBI advisory group includes a range of stakeholders and provides feedback to the department about implementation of the EIDBI Benefit. Recent discussions have centered on the provider shortage. Visitors are welcome to sit in on the discussion or submit feedback to the ASD contact form. For more information or to find upcoming dates and agenda topics, visit the EIDBI advisory group webpage.
Legislation
In order to enroll more EIDBI providers, DHS worked with stakeholders and the Legislature to amend the criteria for providers to enroll in the EIDBI Benefit. The Legislature approved an amendment in July 2017 allowing the commissioner to declare a provider shortage and allow exceptions to provider requirements. To read more, see Minn. Stat. 256B.0949 Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Benefit, Subd. 17. DHS may only grant exceptions to the criteria if it does not affect a person’s safety or decrease the effectiveness of treatment. DHS may only vary the following:
- Provider qualifications
- Medical assistance provider enrollment requirements
- Provider or agency standards or requirements
Reports
Colleges/ Universities/ High schools
Providers have said many college undergrads are unaware of the benefits of work experience in the field. Students say they have difficulty finding internships and job opportunities in early intervention services. High school and college students are often unaware of the career opportunities available in the human services field and the great need for providers to treat people with ASD and related conditions.
In an effort to address these concerns, DHS has begun to meet with colleges, universities and EIDBI providers across the state to discuss the provider shortage and determine ways to address it. DHS has also begun attending and hosting career fairs.
- If you would like to schedule a meeting with the EIDBI operations team to discuss efforts to address the provider shortage, contact us using the ASD contact form.
- If you are interested in attending or participating in an upcoming event, visit the Events calendar or use the ASD contact form.
Funding and Grants
Visit the DHS Open grants, RFPs and RFIs webpage to check for current opportunities.
- Cultural and ethnic minority grants assist people from underserved communities in becoming licensed mental health professionals.
- Systems of care grant: Trains mental health professionals in evidence-based practices.
- School-linked mental health grants: Expand access to mental health professionals and services in schools.
Training opportunities
DHS offers training to EIDBI providers. For more information, visit the Overview of training for EIDBI providers page of the EIDBI policy manual.
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What you can do
Whether you are a parent, provider or student, The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is a great resource for you or your business. Its mission is to enhance the economic success of people, businesses and communities by improving opportunities for prosperity and independence.
Parents
Providers
- During the academic year, you can help students learn about all of the great careers available in our community through the AchieveMpls program and volunteering at a career event . You'll share your personal career journey and the skills and training required for your field. This is a great opportunity to engage with young students and educate them on the career opportunities available to serve people with ASD and related conditions.
- Enroll as a CMDE provider or clinical trainee. For information on enrollment, visit EIDBI Provider enrollment .
- Enroll as an EIDBI provider agency. For more information, visit the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Provider Enrollment page in the policy manual .
- Post available job opportunities and internships on university recruiting systems (e.g., Handshake), local and national job boards and social media.
- Connect with student groups or organizations (e.g., Psychology clubs).
- Highlight unique benefits offered (e.g., PTO, bonuses, continuing education opportunities, employee engagement opportunities).
- Share testimonies and personal stories from familiesabout how a specific staff member has made an impact on child or family.
- Add quotes from staff about their favorite part of the job to your job ads.
- Contact us using the ASD contact form for more information.
Colleges and universities
- Host a meet-and-greet for students and providers to connect on internships and job opportunities.
- Host a panel or presentation to highlight local behavioral health providers and career fields.
- Provide academic programs that train and educate students to go into the field of treatment and diagnosis of ASD and related conditions.
Students
There is a critical need for more people with the education and experience to provide early intervention services for children with ASD and related conditions. To become a provider, find a university with an accredited doctorate or master’s degree program in applied behavior analysis. For a list, visit the ABAI – Accreditation board – Accredited programs website.
Universities and colleges in Minnesota with applied behavior analysis programs
Scholarships
Apply for scholarships. An important goal at the Autism Recovery Foundation is to support the development and training of a qualified work force to provide high-quality early intensive behavioral treatment to families with young children with autism. The Autism Recovery Foundation is committed to building the workforce in Minnesota, particularly in rural communities. It developed thus scholarship program to help students who are working toward certification as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The foundation will award scholarships through a competitive application process. Applicants may be full- or part-time students enrolled in an approved BCBA course sequence. Apply on the Autism Recovery Foundation website.
Deadlines:
- Fall semester: Before 5 p.m. July 1
- Spring semester: Before 5 p.m. Nov. 1
Please note these deadlines are firm. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Loan forgiveness
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Resources and events
Events calendar
DHS hosts a number of career service related events throughout the year for EIDBI providers. For upcoming events, see the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal events calendar. If you would like to participate in an event, contact us using the ASD contact form.
Videos
View YouTube videos promoting job positions in the human services field:
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More information
For more information about the autism-related resources and services available to families, providers and lead agencies, as well as relevant links and reports, visit the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal and the ASD resources webpage.
If you have questions, contact us using the ASD contact form.
If you want to receive emailed updates about EIDBI policies, meetings, events and training, use the form below to sign up for eList announcements.
