Budget cuts in Albany are threatening New York State's Early Intervention Program for special needs children.

An article in local publication DNA Info published on May 12, 2011, "Special Needs Programs Shut Down Following State Cuts" details the issue: "The idea behind the program is to rewire the children's still-malleable brains before their early delays become long-term disabilities, and to develop physical delays to minimize the effect they have on development. But the state has consistently slashed funding to the program, cutting therapists' pay 10 percent last year and five percent this year, advocates said. The state also made administrative changes that disproportionately hurt New York City-based programs, effectively cutting another third of local therapists' pay, advocates said."

"Early Intervention is being demolished," said Leslie Grubler, founding director of United New York Early Intervention Providers.  "Both our children and our providers are going to suffer because of this. These kids are not going to get the help they need."  "For every dollar the state spends on Early Intervention, the government ultimately saves about $7, said Leah Esther Lax, co-founder of Hand In Hand Development."

Sign this petition to express to New York State elected officials that cutting funding for Early Intervention would be a costly mistake for New York State's special needs children, and would end up costing the state much more money in the future.  Further, tell your legislators in Albany to support legislation S4219-2011 introduced by State Sen. Tony Avella and Assemblyman David Weprin that bars the state Department of Health from reducing the reimbursement rates below their 2010 levels.