From WHAM

Monroe County, N.Y. — Parents and advocates for special education students in Monroe County celebrated Tuesday.

That’s because Monroe County lawmakers voted to increase reimbursement rates for preschool special education service providers.

The increase will apply to all preschool special education-related service rates set by the county.

This impacts children who likely are finishing their early intervention services and headed off to preschool.

The rates have not been increased in 10 years.

Families hope this move means their children will get all of the help that they need.

Danielle Salamone’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Evie, is headed to a preschool special ed program in the fall.

Her development has come a long way because of early intervention services, Salamone said.

“Every milestone we’ve reached has been because of [physical therapy]. Both of my kids took their first steps with their physical therapist,” she said.

County leaders said the increase in rates will not impact taxpayers directly. They will be funded through mid-year budget adjustments, according to a county spokesperson. It goes into effect in the next budget cycle.

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo is now calling on state lawmakers to match her reimbursement rate hike of 15 percent- but for early intervention service providers.