Tele-Intervention Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Equity and Access in Kentucky

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: State and District Policies for Equitable Support of Young Children (Table 3)

Abstract

Until March 2020, early intervention (EI) providers delivered services face-to-face in Kentucky. As a result of COVID-19, EI services either ceased or shifted to remote service delivery (i.e., tele-intervention). The purpose of this study was to explore changes in EI services and better understand the experiences of EI providers and families during COVID-19. Family and service provider perceptions of how the transition to tele-intervention influenced EI services and affected the developmental progress of children were measured through online surveys. Although families and providers described multiple challenges, an increase in access to rural areas of Kentucky, especially those geographically difficult to reach, was described as a major benefit. This illustrates the potential of tele-intervention for increasing access and equity in EI.

Authors

• Katy Chapman, University of Florida

• Beth S. Rous, University of Kentucky

• Jaime Grove, University of Kentucky

• Corrine M Williams, University of Kentucky