| 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 (BCCS) is composed of Early Intervention services, 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.
Advance State Issues
–Right now, early intervention (EI) services need your support. New York State has not yet dispersed the 5% increase planned to start in April 2024. Early intervention services can help infants and toddlers with disabilities or delays to learn many key skills and catch up in their development. Also, the state Early Intervention (E.I.) Hub website, launched in October, reportedly has incidents of missing data and payments to providers.
Let state legislators know change is needed.
–Looking ahead to the 2025-26 SFY Executive Budget, advocates will request a 7.8% increase in provider rates for DSP/non-executive wages and address inflation impacting benefits, maintenance, utilities, food, supplies, transportation and insurance. Share your support.
Advance Federal Issues, Too!
–The U.S. Senate passed the “Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Act” (S.1332/ H.R. 2941), which requires the Office of Management and Budget to consider updating the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) and recognizing the DSP role as a distinct profession. This leads to data collection and ideally more robust funding. The bill now goes to the House Representatives. Send an email to your member of Congress.
Stay Connected to State Legislators
—Set up a “lobby visit” with your representatives. Tips available here.
–Sign up for AHRC’s Regional Advocacy Groups―to connect with fellow advocates and educate candidates on both sides of the aisle about disability rights.
—Share Brookville Center’s social media posts dedicated to advocacy on Facebook and Instagram.
—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.
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