TOP 61 - Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rhode Island Early Intervention

Publication Number: 3792.TOP 61

Christopher Burnett, Hasbro Children's Hospital at Rhode Island Hospital, North Providence, RI, United States; Yvette E. Yatchmink, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Bristol, RI, United States; Joshua Ray. Tanzer, Brown University Health, Providence, RI, United States

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in EI. After periods of complete cessation, services were restarted using telehealth modalities, but EI infrastructure experienced significant challenges, including attrition of providers, putting the system under considerable strain.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the change in Early Intervention (EI) services during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rhode Island (RI). We hypothesize that the intensity of Early Intervention services in Rhode Island declined and have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Design/Methods: This study was a retrospective, cohort analysis of established RI EI data. The cohort includes RI children, aged 0-3 years old, who were found eligible for and received EI services between 01 May 2018 and 31 October 2023 (divided into pre/intra/post pandemic cohorts). The primary outcome is intensity of planned and delivered EI services. A cluster analysis followed by a regression-based approach will be used to model and test for difference in care usage pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Figure 1: Average Early Intervention Sessions Planned Over Time


Figure 2: Average Early Intervention Sessions Received Over Time