In New York, early intervention services are a lifeline for many vulnerable and innocent children and their families. These programs provide critical support to young children with disabilities and developmental delays, offering them the opportunity to thrive during their formative years. However, the dedicated independent providers who make these services possible are often overlooked and underappreciated by the system they support.

I am writing this petition not only as a concerned citizen but as someone who has witnessed firsthand the positive impact early intervention providers have on children's lives. My own family has benefited from the tireless efforts of these professionals who work long hours to ensure that children receive the care and attention they deserve.

Despite their invaluable contributions, independent providers in New York are struggling with stagnant wages, lack of benefits, and unfair treatment compared to their agency-employed counterparts. Currently, many independent providers do not receive fair raises or access to a 401(k) retirement plan, creating an unsustainable work environment that threatens the quality of care they can provide and ultimately affects the future of the children they serve.

The solution is clear and achievable. We must advocate for fair compensation for these providers, including regular raises that keep pace with inflation and the cost of living, as well as access to retirement benefits such as 401(k) plans. Additionally, there needs to be a system of parity that ensures independent providers receive equitable treatment compared to those employed by larger agencies.

The current disparity not only demoralizes these essential workers but also risks the sustainability of early intervention services as many experienced providers are leaving the field due to financial instability. This can lead to a dramatic decrease in available services for children at a critical stage in their development.

We must act now to ensure that New York’s early intervention programs remain robust and effective for the sake of the countless families who rely on them. By treating independent providers with the respect and fairness they deserve, we are supporting not just them, but the future of our children.

Please sign this petition to call on New York state legislators and policymakers to implement fair wages, benefits, and parity for independent early intervention providers. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of countless children and families across the state.

Why this is important:

Subject: Urgent Need for Fair Compensation, 401(k) Benefits, and Rate Parity for Independent Early Intervention Providers

 

Dear Governor Hochul and Early Intervention Leadership,

 

I am writing to urgently request your intervention regarding the unsustainable compensation and lack of benefits for independent part-time social workers and therapists within the New York State Early Intervention (EI) program.

For nearly two decades, the dedicated professionals keeping this system afloat have been severely undercompensated. Since 2008, independent providers have actually lost revenue per child and per case due to rising operational costs and stagnant state rates. Compounding this financial strain, telehealth services have been hit with a devastating 20% to 22% rate cut, penalizing providers for delivering flexible care.

While the state may have technically granted a rate increase recently, the critical reality is that a substantial raise has not reached the frontline workers to allow them to remain in the EI system. Many agencies simply do not pass these state-allocated increases down to the independent providers. Furthermore, these independent professionals receive no medical benefits packages, no paid sick leave, no personal or vacation time, and no retirement incentives. It has been over 12 years without a meaningful raise that actually reaches the workforce, making it financially impossible for providers to stay.

To preserve the Early Intervention system and ensure New York’s children receive critical care, I urge the State to implement the following structural changes:

Provide 401(k) Retirement Options: Independent, part-time EI social workers deserve access to state-backed or subsidized retirement benefits to ensure long-term financial security.
Enforce Direct Compensation Passes and True Raises: The state must audit agencies to ensure raises are legally passed down to independent providers, and authorize a major base rate increase to account for missing benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and sick leave.
Establish Total Session Parity and Reverse Telehealth Cuts: Virtual/telehealth sessions require the same administrative, clinical, and preparation time as face-to-face visits. The state must completely reverse the 20% to 22% telehealth rate cuts and establish exact payment parity with in-person sessions.
Without these critical updates and strict accountability for how funds are distributed, independent professionals will continue to leave the field, worsening the current provider shortage and leaving vulnerable children without services. Thank you for your time, leadership, and immediate attention to this crisis.