An emergency regulation has been approved by the state for in-home health care services for disabled children.

Southbury Representative Arthur O'Neill says the Regulations Review Committee held the special meeting Friday to help about 45 families who would have been adversely impacted after a homecare agency removed itself from the homecare program.  O'Neill says the committee's action allows other provider agencies to pick up the slack, and prevents those children currently receiving care from being placed in an institutional facility. 

He says it also allows those currently located in a facility to get back home sooner. 

O'Neill says in these circumstances the quality of care and the quality of life is better for patients who receive caregiving in their homes as opposed to in a facility.  He also called it a money-saver that gives families a freedom of choice. 

The Emergency Regulation was approved unanimously and immediately took effect.