Investing in New York's Youngest Constituents with Disabilities 

New York stands on the threshold of a generational transformation in early childhood programs and education—but a system that structurally disadvantages children with disabilities is not 'universal.' It is exclusionary. To fulfill the promise of a brighter future for all, we must stabilize the essential infrastructure of Early Intervention (EI) and 4410/853 Special Education Schools. 

NYS Early Intervention Program (DOH)  - INVEST NOW OR PAY LATER

The New York State Early Intervention (EI) system has a capacity crisis. New York ranks 48th in the nation for meeting its legal obligations to provide timely evaluations and services to infants and toddlers and their families.

Despite the promise of ensuring real and lasting improvements for infants and toddlers with disabilities who are served by the program, Early Intervention providers are forced by economic realities to leave the field to earn significantly more in other settings. As reflected in a recent Article 78 lawsuit filed this past fall, many reimbursement rates for providers are lower now than in the 1990s when the program first started. This pattern of inadequate compensation has led to a wave of program closures and created a critical shortage of EI providers, resulting in service delays across the state. Too many infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and delays never receive the recommended services they need.

New York State must accept its responsibility to the infants, toddlers, and families who are counting on their representatives to ensure access to Early Intervention services and a brighter future that their youngest constituents deserve.
 

Keep the Promise: Implement SFY2025 5% Rate Increase

NYS must immediately implement the state share of the promised SFY2025 5% increase, retroactive to October 1, 2024.

8% Stabilization Investment

Current reimbursement rates are often lower than in the 1990s. We request an additional 8% to approach actual costs.

Systemic Reform A.283-A (Paulin)/S.1222-A (Rivera)

 Include the Early Intervention Reform Bill A.283-A (Paulin)/S.1222-A (Rivera) in the final budget to mandate a comprehensive review of reimbursement rates and adequacy. 

Administrative Stabilization

Support a moratorium on new and planned regulatory changes (including EI-Hub) to allow the system to stabilize.