ACTS in Action and In the News
ACTS ADVOCACY Update as of 12/10/24
ACTS continues fighting hard for Families and Providers to strengthen the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs. ACTS has achieved or is in the process of fighting for the following:
- RELEASE the 5% EI Rate Increase promised in the 2024 Budget and signed by NY Governor Hochul. ACTS initiated a plan with Assembly Member Amy Paulin that resulted in a letter to Governor Hochul demanding resolution of the 5% and EIHUB issues which had 23 Assembly Members sign on within 2 weeks. We continue following up to demand action from the Governor.
- Emergency STOPGAP Payment was delivered by NY. ACTS has been requesting that Dept of Health prepare for a stopgap payment for months in anticipation of this need and we did receive one Stopgap payment.
- EIHUB Upgrades ACTS Board Members and staff have spent countless hours recently, and since last year, fighting for fixes and upgrades to EIHUB. We are working with PCG and the Department of Health to push for a quick resolution of the most critical issues plaguing users.
- EIHUB User Support Group ACTS hosts weekly meetings for members to share tips with other members to solve billing challenges.
- We’re Growing 10 New Agencies have joined ACTS in the last 2 months. We welcome new members and there is strength in numbers.
Advocacy 2024/2025
- Hired lobbying firm Fritz Farrell
- Sent ACTS letter to demand EI improvements from Governor
- Gained advisory role on EIHUB with PCG and Department of Health
- Engaged members on advocacy calls to Assembly Members
- Coordinated with Senators for EIHUB fixes and 5% implementation
- Continue coordinating with other statewide Advocacy Groups
Please share with your company providers and colleagues!
Join ACTS Today. There’s Strength in Numbers. www.ACTSNY.org
More News
ACTS Lawsuit Charges New York State Department of Health with Violating Its Own Regulations by Underfunding Early Intervention Services
Agencies for Children’s Therapy Services, Inc. and two of its member agencies, through their litigation attorneys, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health alleging that the Department is violating its own regulations by failing to provide full reimbursement for Early Intervention (EI) services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays.
Senator Gallivan Urges Increase in EI Funding 2/21/25
Senator Gallivan shared a letter he recently sent to legislative leaders requesting Early Intervention Program funding be included in the FY 2026 State budget.
Letter to Commissioner McDonald on EI Telehealth Implementation
FY 2026 Health Budget Testimony
ACTS FY 2026 Health Budget Testimony
Advocacy Days in Albany February 10-11, 2025
ACTS Advocacy Days in Albany February 10-11, 2025
Advocacy Day Requests
Agencies for Children’s Therapy Services Advocacy Day
ACTS Letter to Governor on EI Rate Increase
As you may recall, the SFY 2024-25 enacted New York State budget agreement included a 5% increase in reimbursement rates effective 4/1/24 for in-person services in the Early Intervention Program. However, to date this increase has not been implemented by the New York State Division of the Budget (DOB). Delaying this sorely needed and long overdue increase is causing irreparable harm to the Early Intervention Program and the vulnerable children it serves.
ACTS ADVOCACY Update as of 12/10/24
ACTS continues fighting hard for Families and Providers to strengthen the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs. ACTS has achieved or is in the process of fighting for the following: RELEASE the 5% EI Rate Increase promised in the 2024 Budget and...
Official update on the enacted NYS budget from ACTS
Here is an official update on the enacted NYS budget from ACTS: • A 5% increase for in-person services for Early Intervention was approved in the NYS Budget that was just passed, but we do not expect to actually begin receiving payments at that higher rate of...
ACTS Fights to Protect Professional Scope of Practice AND Parent Choice
The Department of Health issued proposed regulations that would create havoc in the evaluations and services of children who require Early Intervention. Over the strenuous objection of the State Early Intervention Coordinating Council (EICC), DOH is proposing that...