Preserve Early Intervention Services in New York State

We the undersigned hereby object to the Governor's proposal to charge parents fees on a sliding scale for their children to receive early intervention services and to verify income or lose services. See New York State Health and Mental Hygiene budget legislation (Article VII bill, S. 58/ A. 158). Based on experience in other states, we know that this will dramatically reduce the number of children receiving EI services, especially among the most vulnerable groups, during the years when brain development is most rapid and intervention for problems most cost-effective. Other proposed changed to EI are also of concern to professionals and parents; these include requiring all providers to enroll in the Medicaid program; changing eligibility criteria for children with speech-only needs that would exclude children with significant communication disorders; and establishing new provider fees and approval and re-approval rules. We ask that you reconsider these proposals. We stand ready to work with your office and the budget for a satisfactory solution that will maintain services and be cost neutral.