Coalition calls for Early Intervention services funding in New York state

by Wendy Wright

ROCHESTER, N.Y. —

There is a call for children qualified for early intervention services in New York state to receive those services without delay.

The Children’s Agenda reports that only about half of the children who qualify for early intervention care are receiving all the services in a timely manner.

The Children’s Agenda’s Kids Can’t Wait Coalition is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase funding in the current budget proposal by 11% to help infants and toddlers reach their full potential.

“The one thing I kind of clued in on was motor development was a little bit behind,” said Lynn Modenga of her 2-year-old son, Timothy.

She says she brought her concerns about potential delayed development to the pediatrician who referred them for an assessment. Timothy qualified for physical therapy and speech therapy services. But she says the family was told there is a shortage of providers and Timothy would be placed on an overcapacity waitlist.

According to Mordenga, the county originally said, ‘oh, he should get services within 30 days because that’s, like, a federal right — and we were under the impression that’s what was going to happen. But that turned into a much longer wait time.”

In fact, Timothy would wait for six months for physical therapy services. As for speech therapy, he is still waiting and has been for more than a year. He will only qualify until he turns 3, he’s already 2 and a half.