A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CREATE A TASK FORCE
TO STUDY WAYS TO EXPAND REFERRALS BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL FOR EARLY INTERVENTION
SERVICES EARLIER IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.
WHEREAS, children with
developmental disabilities have substantial functional limitations related to a
mental or physical impairment, including brain trauma; and
WHEREAS, early intervention
services for developmentally disabled children are needed from the moment of
birth; and
WHEREAS, the earlier children
are identified as developmentally disabled and begin receiving services, the
more likely they are to be able to live independent and self-directed lives;
and
WHEREAS, families of
developmentally disabled children are often overburdened and lack the knowledge
and resources to provide optimal care for these children; and
WHEREAS, the department of
health operates a program of early intervention services called CAREarly; and
WHEREAS, medical professionals
often do not identify developmental disabilities early enough in the child's life
to make a timely referral to this program; and
WHEREAS, earliest referral for
these children means maximizing the opportunities for growth and development of
the child;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be
requested to create a task force to study ways to expand referrals by medical
personnel for early intervention services earlier in the life of the child; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
this task force include representation from advocate groups, providers and
parents of developmentally disabled children, as well as appropriate medical
personnel; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
findings of this task force be reported to the legislative health and human
services committee by its October 2003 meeting; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health, statewide
medical and pediatric associations, developmental disabilities advocacy groups
and the interim legislative health and human services committee.