(AP) -- Fewer disabled infants and toddlers in South Carolina might receive government-funded therapy next year because of possible changes in qualifications.
South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness is seeking public comment through December on a proposal to tie eligibility to the extent of a child's disability.
An agency director says the goal is to keep the program afloat amid rising costs and shrinking budgets.
Dan Wuori says the program serves 4,600 developmentally delayed children up to 3 years old. Services include speech, physical and occupational therapy that private health insurers and Medicaid don't cover.
Federal rules for the program limit what the state can do to reduce costs. The possible changes were first reported by The Post and Courier of Charleston.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
