Time to Invest in Early Intervention

Recipients

Your Governor
Your State Senator or Senators
Your State Representative or Representatives

Message

Raise the Rate: United for Early Intervention Rate Reform

Dear [Decision Maker],

Disability Services continue to languish due to insufficient investments and disregard for the services impacting early childhood.

Gov. Hochul's proposed 5% for Early Intervention (EI) Services is insufficient. 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!)."

Similarly, underfunding continues to impact Children's Residential Services due to a lack of investment in disability infrastructure and staffing. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are critical to sustaining the health, independence, and inclusion of people with an I/DD. By including a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DWSE) in the NYS FY2024-2025 Budget, DSPs can finally receive substantial, permanent wage enhancements.

Together, let's ensure a better future for every New Yorker, especially those who support one of our nation's most vulnerable populations.

What We Need and Why We Need It:

-- An 11% Rate Reimbursement Increase for Early Intervention (EI) Services after almost 3 decades of underfunding impacting evaluations and special education teachers.

-- Provide annual growth of 4.3% for 4410 and 853 schools, as recommended by New York State Regents to support the recruitment and retention of staff and cover inflationary costs.*

-- A 3.2% COLA would reduce agency financial pressures, from utilities to mandated fringe benefits.

-- A DSWE would ensure that disability agencies can raise the hourly rate of pay for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). By boosting the hourly pay of these caregivers, we can improve the severe staffing shortage crisis, increase employee retention, and ensure the quality of support provided to one of New York's most vulnerable populations.

Will you advocate for Early Intervention and staff funding with us?

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

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