NEW YORK STATE EARLY INTERVENTION: DOH Regulations Impact Children and Providers
NYS Early Intervention through the office of DOH has introduced regulations that will further decimate Early Intervention services. Six Early Intervention Programs across the state have announced their closure. Seventy-five percent of Early Interve
Online, May 28, 2011 (Newswire.com) - NYS Early Intervention through the office of DOH has introduced regulations that will further decimate Early Intervention services. Six Early Intervention Programs across the state have announced their closure. Seventy-five percent of Early Intervention Providers have indicated that they are leaving the field, a field that is predominantly composed of women-owned and operated business. Reimbursement rate reductions slated to take effect 7/1/11 impacting greater than 50% of providers will yield a total of 60% reduction in rates since last April 2010. This does not even include reductions in caseloads and service provision that presently pervade many counties. Children of Early Intervention, the children with developmental disabilities, are no longer receiving the services that they are eligible for through IDEA Part C.
To initiate the restoration of services for our children and their families, to return equity, and to initiate the focus on true evidence-based practice, the United New York Early Intervention Providers (UNYEIP) and Parents As Partners (UNYEIPAP) coalitions, now 1500 strong, whose members include Speech, Physical, and Occupational Therapists, ABA Teachers, Special Educators, Nutritionists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Vision Therapists, parents and caregivers, and other supportive professionals (attorneys, physicians, compensation analysts, academicians, accountants) are working with legislators to right this wrong. Legislative supporters of the Weprin Bill A705 and Avella Bill S4219 have arranged a Press Conference for the following location to ensure that our voices are heard:
Wednesday, June 1st @ 2PM
New York State Capitol Hallway
Between the Senate and Assembly Chambers
Third Floor, NYS Capitol Building
It was Governor Mario Cuomo, who on September 17, 1992, signed the Early Intervention Bill (Chapter 428 of the Laws of 1992), landmark legislation. Can we count on his son to renew this commitment to infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities or delays? For more information, please call Leslie Grubler at 917-355-5060 or email at [email protected]
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Tags: Autism, disabilities, Early Intervention, home-based intervention, NYS DOH, parent training, speech
