The Child Developmental Centers in Virginia provide valuable services to children, especially underprivileged children.  There is currently a major shortage of providers who are able to provide psychological services to children, and the evaluations and services provided by the CDC have been instrumental in helping to fill the gap. In fact, the need is so great that I would recommend expanding and/or increasing the number of CDS's. At the present time, children must often wait three months or more for an evaluation. Unfortunately, a delay in the evaluation also leads to a delay in children receiving the  services that they need subsequent to the results of the evaluation. If any amendment is made to the current program, it should be to increase the services available to children. I urge you not to decrease the services that the CDCs provide to the children within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. William E. Lynch, PsyD