Urgent Action Needed: Support Early Intervention in the Final NYS Budget!

Thank you to everyone who has advocated on behalf of providers and families who depend on the NYS Early Intervention program. During our recent lobby day, NYSSLHA urged members of the NYS Senate and Assembly to make needed investments and policy changes to support babies and toddlers with disabilities and their rendering providers of Early Intervention services. 

This advocacy is making a difference! The Senate and Assembly recently released their One-House budget proposals which included the following investments to increase EI provider rates:

• The Assembly provided $18 million

• The Senate provided $13 million

Our work is not done! Final budget negotiations are taking place NOW between the Governor, Senate, and Assembly until the April 1 budget deadline. We must ensure these critical provisions remain in the final enacted budget.

Please contact your Senator, Assemblymember, and Governor Hochul and urge them to support these proposals in the final state budget.

Take Action Today: Call your Legislators and Governor Hochul

1. Call Governor Hochul’s office at 518-474-8390 and follow the prompts to speak with a representative or leave a voicemail.

 

2. Call your State Senator and Assemblymember: Find your Senator here and your Assemblymember here. Use the Senate and Assembly Switchboard phone numbers below to call your representatives. 

• Senate switchboard (518) 455-2800

• Assembly switchboard (518) 455-4100

 

Feel free to use this script and be sure to include why EI is important to you
"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent from [Your City/Town]. I am calling to urge [Senator/Assemblymember/Governor Hochul] to support an 8% rate increase for Early Intervention provider rates in the final budget, building on critical investments in the Senate and Assembly One House budgets. 

Please also support inclusion of language in the budget to require a review of EI rate adequacy, consistent with S1222, Rivera/ A283, Paulin, as well as an EI Loan repayment program to attract new providers to underserved areas of the state, consistent with A1974, Paulin/S8290, Ryan. These provisions are critical to ensuring babies and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities receive timely services. Please prioritize this in the final state budget. Thank you!"

Thank you for your advocacy and commitment! Your voice is crucial in ensuring that New York’s youngest children get the services they need.