BOARD/COMMISSION:  Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Benefit Advisory Group

Persons appointed to the EIDBI Advisory Group through the open appointments process must fit one of these member categories:

1. Adult with ASD or a related condition

2. Parent/guardian of a child under age 21 diagnosed with ASD or a related condition

3. Provider of EIDBI and/or CMDE services

4. Developmental Disabilities (DD) or behavioral professional

5. Licensed professional (such as a psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, special education teacher, occupational or speech therapist, etc.) who works directly with people under age 21 with ASD and related conditions

6. Academic whose field of research and teaching directly relates to people under age 21 diagnosed with ASD and related conditions

7. Advocate who works or volunteers for an organization that advocates on behalf of people under age 21 diagnosed with ASD and related conditions.

8. Representative of a managed care organization serving people in Minnesota who are under age 21 and are diagnosed with ASD and related conditions

9. Representative of a Minnesota Indian Tribe or a Native American resident of Minnesota

The Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) benefit is a medical benefit in Minnesota first offered in 2016 under Medicaid (Medical Assistance). The EIDBI is benefit is available to people under age 21 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or related conditions and who are eligible for Medical Assistance. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, Asperger's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders, pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Rett Syndrome.

The advisory group meets four times per year; since May 2020, all meetings have been virtual. The advisory group is consulted on the ongoing development of EIDBI policies and standards and on the implementation of the EIDBI benefit. Members are expected to share information with and seek input from organizations and networks they are affiliated with that support persons with autism and related conditions in order to broaden the input the advisory group provides to DHS and the information DHS wants to share with children and families living with ASD and related conditions.  

The EIDBI Advisory Group was created by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in 2017; its 33 members serve two-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms.  Membership categories include people with ASD or a related condition, parents of people under age 21 with ASD or a related condition, current EIDBI providers, psychologists, behavior professionals, and other licensed professionals; academics, county/tribe/managed care representatives, and state agency representatives. A few positions are direct appointments, but most are open, competitive appointments.