A physical therapist helps introduce a toddler to her new mobility chair. Oct. 30, 2023. AP Stock photo.
New York State – despite its massive budget that could reach a quarter of a trillion dollars this year – ranks dead last in the nation in providing Early Intervention services to families who need them.
This critical federally mandated program provides therapy to babies and toddlers with developmental delays. Therapies offered in a timely manner can make a huge difference in the life outcomes of a child.
One of the reasons New York fares so poorly in early intervention is it hasn’t given therapists a raise in their reimbursements since 1994.
Another reason is a software change at a state agency that was made in October of 2024. It resulted in therapists and agencies struggling to get paid. The state and the private firm have not given clear answers or made significant progress in fixing the new software system.
In early December 2024, reporter Amy Feiereisel caught wind of the problem through her deep sourcing in the child care and early childhood education community and was one of the first reporters to cover the situation deeply.
She went down a rabbit hole of technical jargon and state pay schedules for contractors. She remained determined in contacting a state agency (the NYS Department of Health) that didn’t want to talk. She sifted through two decades of prior reporting about the public consulting company New York hired to build the new software.
She spoke with therapists, agencies, early childhood advocates, and state coordinators to understand the impact on developmentally delayed children.
The resulting reporting exemplifies the best of enterprise work, breaking new ground with compelling voices about a problem that directly affects thousands of families in need. And it offers potential solutions through conversation with various advocates, stakeholders, and state officials.
IMPACTS & REACTION:
At this writing in early February 2025, it’s still early to gauge the impact of the reporting. We do know the reporting has reached lawmakers. The St. Lawrence County legislature brought up Feireisel’s reporting at a weekly meeting in January with the intention of contacting the state about the problem.
Feiereisel’s stories were shared with New York’s statewide radio news network, and were aired by WXXI in Rochester, WSKG in Ithaca/Binghamton, and WAMC in Albany. These were the first (and some of the only) radio investigative stories into the unfolding Early Intervention crisis.
Here are some of the emails and comments we received after the airing of the stories.
Robert G. Frawley, Adirondacks early childhood advocate
Thanks yet again for drawing attention to very important early childhood issues. The crisis in EI is one that we (Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance) has been actively working on for years now.
Andrew Casini, Early Intervention therapist and advocate
Thank you so much Amy, both of your pieces are truly exceptional. I’ve shared the link in our groups. Thank you again so much for your excellent reporting on this important issue.
Rebecca Kelly, Lewis County Coordinator for Children with Special Needs Programs
Thank you so much Amy, for bringing a truthful and revealing voice to the issues facing our most vulnerable population. Your story is well-researched and brings to light our vital problem.
Traci Harris, Early Intervention agency owner in Watertown
Thank you for being such a big voice in our advocacy efforts!!! It means the world to us. Legislators are listening!
AUDIO SUBMISSION:
The audio submission includes the first two stories. The full series of reports: (because this happened at the end of the year, one story spilled into 2025. It’s not included in the audio submission, but I thought you might want to at least see it!)
NY’s Early Intervention at risk as therapists near two months of inconsistent pay (12/13/24)
NY’s Early Intervention is in crisis, and providers want answers from the state (12/20/24)
