Monroe County has dedicated September as Early Intervention (EI) Awareness Month. The County will be collaborating with community organizations, providers, and parents to plan a series of events, starting with the kickoff on September 4.

The County and its partners (including The Children’s Agenda) will raise awareness about the Early Intervention Program in Monroe County and the local organizations and agencies that serve children under the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities.  One of the goals of the campaign is to increase child and parent knowledge of early intervention programs, so they can make informed advocacy and engagement decisions.

The Children’s Agenda contributes by gathering insights from parents and providers to gain their perspectives on EI programming. The Children’s Agenda’s Kids Can’t Wait campaign continues to press the state to enact the Covered Lives legislation to bring more resources into Early Intervention.

Covered Lives for Early Intervention would stablish a new $40 million revenue stream to expand timely access to Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. 

The Covered Lives legislation passed the NYS Senate and Assembly, and now needs the Governor’s signature to become law.  We are communicating with Governor Kathy Hochul to make sure she is aware of the legislation and the importance of her signature on it.