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Parent Advocacy is the most important advocacy of all!

For 853 and 4410 schools, the key question to ask legislators is “If I pay the same taxes as every other New Yorker, why is my child’s school not funded in the same way?”

Brookville Center for Children’s Services is composed of early intervention program, 4410 special-education preschools, 853 state-approved school-age programs, and includes home services for preschool and school age, Children’s Residential Program as well as respite and recreation programs.

Advocate for BCCS students by calling for legislators to:

  • Include an 11% Rate Reimbursement Increase for Early Intervention (EI) Services. According to Agencies for Children’s Therapy Services (ACTS), “rates have not changed except for one minor increase in the last 29 years (and even that increase excluded evaluations and special education teachers!).” Gov. Hochul’s proposed 5% for EI is insufficient.

  • Provide annual growth of 4.3% for 4410 and 853 schools, as recommended by New York State Regents to support the recruitment and retention of staff and cover inflationary costs.*As proposed by the Inter Agency Council.

  • Include a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for disability providers to reduce financial pressures, from utilities to mandated fringe benefits. Gov. Hochul’s proposed 1.5% does not meet the needs of voluntary service providers after years of underinvestment.

  • Include proposed Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) as part of the New York State Budget to ensure agencies can raise the hourly rate of pay for direct care staff.

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Become More Informed About Disparities in Funding for 4410 and 853 Schools 

  • 2023 Parent Video Training. “Learning About the State of Education (NYS 853 & 4410).” Educators and advocates from The InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies (IACNY) offers insight into the current service obstacles of 4410 and 853 schools; share October 2022 survey results from education providers; and actionable advocacy steps. Find out the answers to questions, including:

    -Does my child receive the same funding as children attending public schools?
    -Why is my child’s school experiencing staffing shortages?
    -Are the other schools struggling to staff their schools?
    -Do all schools have teacher shortages?
    -Where are all the therapists?
    -What can you to do help?
    View here.

*Materials adapted from IACNY and DDAWNY

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