EPSDT Molly Rushing


BARBARA KINGSOLVER ONCE SAID, “The strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.” When you ask a mother about her child, there is a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her face that cannot be replicated. No matter how old they become, a mother always knows what to do – and her children always see her as a hero.


Estelle Singletary is no different.


Estelle has spent the last three years fighting for her daughter, Nadia. She has battled governmental agencies, therapists, and anyone else who stood between her child and the services she deserves. This summer, she saw a glimmer of hope. Her little girl went from sitting up for only 10 seconds to sitting unassisted for an average of one minute. This was all accomplished because of increased therapy and her mother’s devotion.


It was during this peak of success that Nadia turned three, transitioning her out of the Department of Health and Human Services Infant-Toddler program and placing her into the school system. Since then, Estelle has found herself battling again.


“My advice is to never give up,” Estelle said. “If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t.”


16 EMPOWERED | Winter 2011


From Red Tape... to Results


It was this motto that has brought her to her current fight – the need for Nadia to have more therapy.


This summer, as Nadia was being transitioned into the school system, this little girl went two months without any therapy, yet another child left behind in a system covered in red tape. She regressed tremendously, a blow to her mother’s strength and her mother’s heart. To Estelle, this seemed like yet another devastating blow that could have been avoided – one that should have been avoided through a federally mandated program.


The Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program was designed to be a benefit to children like Nadia in circumstances such as this. It was to serve as a guiding light for parents and caregivers. And yet, it seems to have become one more hurdle that must be cleared on the way to proper services. EPSDT is defined by federal law and is critical because it provides early and regular medical and dental screenings for all Medicaid recipients under age 21 and it is a part of the federal Medicaid EPSDT requirement that provides recipients with medically necessary health care to correct or ameliorate a defect, physical or mental illness or a condition identified through a screening examination. With this program in place, Nadia’s services should have remained and her improvement should have continued.


While trying to accept the changes to her daughter’s therapy schedule, Estelle received another disturbing piece of news – no one has been working with her daughter on any academic material. While the other children in her class are learning their letters and their colors, Nadia is being taught nothing.


The reason for this lapse? Working on academics was not written into Nadia’s IEP.


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