Early Intervention (EI) helps infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities get needed services as early in life as possible, when intervention can have the greatest impact. But largely due to years of under-investment in the program, children in New York State — especially those from low-income communities of color — often have to wait weeks or even months to receive the services they need because EI providers have been leaving for other jobs where they are better paid.
The State Senate and Assembly have passed a bill (S. 5676 / A. 6579) requiring the Department of Health, which runs the Early Intervention program, to conduct a study and prepare a report on the methods for setting payment rates for EI evaluations and services. There has not been a program-wide rate increase in decades, and this cost study is needed to determine appropriate payment rates that will help address the shortage of EI providers. The bill now goes to the Governor for signature.
Take Action
Email Governor Hochul and ask her to sign the EI cost study bill into law to help ensure that young children with disabilities don’t have to wait for the critical services they need and have a right to receive.
Click here to send an email
Speak Up
Spread the word on social media. If your child is currently waiting for Early Intervention services or benefited from EI in the past, be sure to check out the #KidsCantWait campaign to see other ways you can share your story and have an impact!
Click here to share your story
