New York's state budget negotiations pushed past the April 1 deadline with early intervention funding still unresolved. Providers warned on April 1 that without rate increases in the final budget, they may stop accepting new families or close entirely. The legislature is working on a final agreement expected within days.

Early intervention serves infants and toddlers under 3 with developmental delays through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other services. The program is federally mandated and state-administered. Right now, the reimbursement rate providers receive for a half-hour session is $69.69. In 1994, it was $79.

What's in the Proposed Budgets

Governor Kathy Hochul's initial budget proposal included no increase for early intervention. The Assembly proposed $18 million for a 5% rate increase. The Senate proposed $13 million for rate increases. Family advocates are calling for an 11% increase across the board, with a 15% differential for providers serving high-poverty areas.

The gap between what providers need and what's been proposed isn't symbolic. When adjusted for inflation, the current $69.69 rate is equivalent to $31.29 in 1994 dollars. Providers have absorbed 32 years of losses while costs for rent, insurance, and salaries have risen.

A 5% increase was approved in the 2024-25 budget, effective April 1, 2024. As of February 2025, the New York State Division of the Budget had not implemented it. Providers are still operating on the old rate.

Why Providers Are Leaving

Therapists can make more money working in schools, hospitals, or private practice. Early intervention requires home visits, flexible scheduling around nap times and family routines, and extensive documentation for state compliance. The reimbursement rate doesn't cover those costs.

When providers leave, families lose access to services during the most critical window for child development. Early intervention targets children from birth to age 3 because that's when the brain is developing fastest. A child who needs speech therapy at 18 months can't wait six months for an opening. By then, they've aged out or missed the intervention window that would have made the difference.

New York's early intervention system serves approximately 70,000 children annually. If providers close or stop taking new referrals, there's no backup system. The services are legally required under federal law, but the law doesn't create therapists where none exist.

What This Means for Families

If you're currently receiving early intervention services, your provider may continue for now. But if your child is newly referred or about to turn two and needs services extended, you may face longer wait times or difficulty finding a provider willing to take on new cases.

Families in high-poverty areas and rural counties already face provider shortages. The 15% rate differential advocates are requesting would create an incentive for therapists to serve those areas. Without it, the gaps widen.

The budget is being finalized now. The legislature passed a budget extender on March 31 to keep operations funded while negotiations continue. That means the final budget could be settled within days, and whatever funding level gets locked in will determine whether providers stay or leave.

What Families Can Do Now

Contact your state senator and assembly member before the budget is finalized. You can find your legislators here. Tell them your child's story and what early intervention has made possible. Be specific about the therapies your child receives and what would happen if your provider stopped taking new families.

If you've experienced long wait times or difficulty finding a provider, share that too. Legislators need to hear from families directly, not just advocacy organizations.

Connect with Advocates for Children of New York or the New York State Association of Counties, both of which are organizing parent voices around early intervention funding. They can provide templates, talking points, and updates on the budget timeline.

The window is short. The budget will be finalized within days, and once it's set, the reimbursement rate is locked in for the year. If providers decide they can't sustain operations at the current rate, families will feel the impact immediately through longer wait lists and fewer available therapists.

Governor Hochul and legislative leaders are negotiating the final budget now. Family voices can still influence the outcome, but only if they reach Albany before the deal is done.