The next week, parents focused on infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Another early morning departure saw parents, health professionals, university faculty, and students headed to Albany to deliver the message: Kids can't wait!
Upon arrival, they met up with advocates from Binghamton and NYC. Equipped with fact sheets and passion, they met with 12 legislators and delivered packets with information to many more.
Parents shared their families' stories of waiting for Early Intervention services like speech and physical therapy and how waiting put their kids further behind peers. Some were also able to share stories of the life changing difference Early Intervention made when services were provided in a timely manner.
After meeting with parents, Assemblymember Amy Paulin and State Senator Shelley Mayer circulated letters for their legislative colleagues to sign onto, calling for an 11% increase in Early Intervention reimbursement rates in this year's state budget.
You can add your voice by sending a letter today through our Action Network. Click here to send a letter. 919 people have sent letters so far -- let's make it 1,019!