The 2011-12 New York State budget will cut the Early Intervention Program for children with disabilities by $5.5 million, of five percent of its total budget. However, this cut has been reduced from the original proposal of an $11 million cut.
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget for fiscal year 2011-12, which aims to eliminate a $10 billion deficit, was passed on March 31.
The Executive Budget originally proposed on Feb. 1 called for a 10 percent cut for Early Intervention providers, which was expected to reduce funding for the program by $11.1 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year and $24.3 million the following year.
The decision to reduce those cuts by 50 percent was first reported by the news service DNAinfo.
Leslie Grubler, founding director of United New York Early Intervention Providers (UNYEIP) said that despite the lower rate cut, the Early Intervention Program is facing reductions in reimbursement rates to providers and additional cuts from the Department of Health.
Grubler said a survey of the organization’s 1,500 members showed that three fourths of providers, many of whom are independent contractors, are considering leaving the field due to funding cuts. She expects that the impact will be a reduction in services that will lead to more children remaining in special education through adulthood.
“They’re trying to save money in all sorts of ways that are just not therapeutic.
A lot of things are occurring now that have never happened before and unfortunately our children are going to be affected,” Grubler said.
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) worked to have the cuts reduced. “The Early Intervention Program serves as a critical lifeline for the families of children with special needs,” said Silver.
“The Assembly Majority fought to help restore nearly half the proposed reduction to this program which will enable so many children to get help during the preschool years, when they have the greatest rate of learning and development,” he added.
On March 27, Assembly Members David Weprin (D-Queens) and Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) held a press conference with members of UNYEIP to oppose the cuts.
“These proposed budget cuts will have a devastating effect on the children serviced by Early Intervention statewide, as well as the providers and agencies that offer these essential services,” Weprin said about the ten percent cut initially proposed.
The 25-year-old Early Intervention Program was created under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to serve children under the age of three who have a disability or developmental delay that is physical, cognitive, communicative, social-emotional or adaptive.
The services include family counseling, home visits, support groups, speech pathology, physical and occupational therapy, assistive technology devices and psychological services. Approximately 75,000 children and their families receive services.
The governor’s office did not return a request for comment.
This article was published in the June 2011 issue of Able News.
There is much more work to be done in Early Intervention and many more voices need to be heard!
Sign our Petition as we Proclaim August and September of 2011,
"What is Happening in NYS Early Intervention" Awareness Months!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/August-September-2011-Get-Involved-In-Awareness-Months/
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Posted by: Leslie Grubler | 07/14/2011 at 03:36 PM