Include an 11% Early Intervention Increase in Enacted Budget

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Advance 11% Early Intervention Rate Increase & Other Critical Funding in Enacted Budget

Dear [Decision Maker],

The time is now to ensure children relying on Early Intervention (EI) Services and the ongoing support of 4410/853 schools are fully funded in the NY State Budget FY 2025. We must continue to advocate toward the NYS Budget deadline.

Our educators and schools need your support!

Toward the new budget deadline, an 11% Rate Reimbursement Increase for EI Services is needed. According to Agencies for Children's Therapy Services (ACTS), "rates have not changed except for one minor increase in the last 29 years (and even that increase excluded evaluations and special education teachers!)." Gov. Hochul's proposed 5% for EI is insufficient. While the Assembly has included the 11% in their one-house budget, the Senate has no EI provision.

Another critical need is increased funding for 4410/853 schools. While the Senate proposed 4410/853 increases commensurate with state aid increases, neither the Governor nor Assembly have responded. We need a 4.3% increase, here.

Also, Gov. Hochul's proposed 1.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the additional 1.7% increase in the COLA by the NY Senate and Assembly are appreciated, but do not reflect the urgent needs for staffing AND service provision for New Yorkers with I/DD.

The language in the one-house budget for the Senate and Assembly is too narrow in scope and disregards critical facets of our system, including transportation, technology, facilities management, and even food for the people we support.

Additionally, while the Senate included the Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE), it was omitted in the Assembly's one-house bill and the Executive Budget proposed by the governor. We need both the COLA and the DSWE if we are going to address the crisis to support our infrastructure.

Now, we must tell Gov. Hochul and our legislators to come back to the negotiating table for:

*A 3.2% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) with language that does not overly restrict how funds are allocated.

*A Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) based on S4127-A/A5268-A.

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Will you advocate for Early Intervention and critical disability services funding with us?

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]