Advocacy Center
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.
- Protect Medicaid for I/DD Services
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” has been signed into law—bringing with it significant cuts to federal Medicaid funding. This is a deeply disappointing moment. Medicaid is a lifeline for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, making possible the services and supports that foster independence, inclusion, and quality of life. Thank you for raising your voice these past few weeks. Your advocacy matters. Now is the time to rest, regroup, and return ready to continue the fight for disability rights—together.
—Learn more about the “One Big, Beautiful Act.”
–Connect with elected officials on how they voted.
- Urgent: Protect the Department of Education
Plans to dismantle the Department of Education were recently announced, along with layoffs impacting critical functions such as the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ensuring equal access to education and other programs for people with disabilities. We must ensure students with disabilities and delays are supported to meet meaningful milestones and achieve their potential.
- Urgent: Reorganization of Administration for Community Living
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced a major reorganization that will dismantle the Administration for Community Living (ACL), a vital agency that has coordinated and protect programs for people with disabilities and older adults for over a decade. Instead of strengthening support, this plan scatters ACL’s programs across multiple agencies, potentially creating confusion, reducing visibility, and undermining funding. From NADSP.
Advance State Issues, Too!
On May 9, the FY2025-26 NYS Budget passed with a 2.6% targeted inflationary increase (TII) unrestricted in use. When considered with the 2024 rate rebasing, there’s been an almost 15% average rate increase for our largest programs in the last year. Additional investments include $75 million for regional disability clinics, expanded employment tax credits, and the permanence of the Preferred Source Program. The 2024 5% increase for Early Intervention services remains pending. Click here for more insight into how the FY2025-26 enacted budget supports disability services and the areas we must continue to advocate.
Stay Connected to State Legislators
—Set up a “lobby visit” with your representatives. Tips available here.
–Sign up for our 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.