ROCHESTER, NY (WROC)— More than 60 parents and service providers from across the state headed to Albany to rally for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities who need early intervention providers— a majority of the group is from the Rochester region.
“Not being able to receive the proper services, as a parent is frustrating,” said Lynn Mordenga, parent advocate “and you’re just left in agony because you were promised a right to be able to have therapy for your child, because it’s a federal right.”
Mordenga tells News 8 her son, Timothy, was assessed for needing early intervention services in 2022. After waiting a year and a half he aged out, without receiving all of the therapies he required.
“Parents are desperate and they don’t know what to do,” said Mordenga, “and we’re asking the state do something about it.”
Advocates say there’s a critical shortage of providers in New York, including speech, occupational, and physical therapists. Part of the reason for the shortage is pay— which they say is at a lower rate than it was 30 years ago. That’s why they’re calling for an 11% increase in the reimbursement rate for early intervention providers.
“These are professionals who can work in a school setting or hospital setting and make much more money in those settings,” said Brigit Hurley, Chief Program Officer at The Children’s Agenda, “they’re not motivated to stay in the early intervention program because they can’t pay their bills.”
Governor Kathy Hochul has already included a 5% increase to the reimbursement rate in the budget proposal, which gives Hurley hope.
But, as a result of the shortage, advocates argue, children are facing delays to receive services negatively impacting their development.
“There’s life long consequences for those children,” said Hurley. “They may not be able to gain the independence and have the success that they might have if they had received these services.”
Between a rate increase and other incentives like a loan forgiveness program, advocates hope for higher provider retention.