Kids Can't Wait NYS Campaign

06/03/2026

Advocacy 101 tonight - register for the Zoom link!

Don't forget to register for the Advocacy 101 happening TOMORROW on Zoom at 6:30 PM! https://secure.everyaction.com/zb6l4zqUwUyKvQDvQkiFdQ2

Join us as Rochester Very Invested Parents (VIPs) talk about their advocacy journeys, the importance of Early Intervention, and what it means to use your power and your voice as a parent or caregiver of a young child with developmental delays or disabilities!

06/02/2026

Don't forget to register for the Advocacy 101 happening TOMORROW on Zoom at 6:30 PM! https://secure.everyaction.com/zb6l4zqUwUyKvQDvQkiFdQ2

Join us as Rochester Very Invested Parents (VIPs) talk about their advocacy journeys, the importance of Early Intervention, and what it means to use your power and your voice as a parent or caregiver of a young child with developmental delays or disabilities!

05/22/2026

Prioritizing children means investing early! Parents continue to call on state lawmakers to invest in New York's Early Intervention (EI) Program and its workforce because it is such a vital resource for our families.

Ellizabeth Maxwell and Lynn Mordenga are two powerful parent leaders in Rochester who can testify to the importance of Early Intervention (EI). Their op-ed calls for an increase in pay rates for EI providers and was published yesterday morning in Rochester Beacon.

You can read the original article at https://rochesterbeacon.com/2026/05/21/new-york-should-increase-early-intervention-funding/

05/21/2026

Do you have lived experience with the Early Intervention and/or Preschool Special Education systems in New York State? The Kids Can't Wait Statewide Parent Network is a growing movement of parents and caregivers working together to turn their lived expertise into organized, actionable, systems level advocacy for our babies with developmental delays and disabilities.

On June 3rd, Rochester parent leaders, along with The Children's Agenda, will provide an Advocacy 101 Training for parents and caregivers in any part of the state who want to get involved. Join us to learn what advocacy looks like as we work toward policy and funding changes to improve access to early childhood developmental services!

REGISTER HERE: https://secure.everyaction.com/zb6l4zqUwUyKvQDvQkiFdQ2

05/19/2026

Did you know that lower educational attainment is linked to things like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension? While we know that education is a strong predictor of later life health outcomes, children with developmental disabilities and delays continue to experience barriers to their education. We need change NOW.

Public health expert, Jeanette Stingone from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health urges policymakers to be cautious of the downstream effects of cutting funding from programs like Early Intervention (EI). https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2026/04/23/early-intervention-reading-math

In the NPR segment, Stingone discusses the latest evidence published in JAMA Network pointing to the benefits of investing in kids early. The research was conducted by the Mailman School of Public Health and the New York City Health Department and looked at the association between receiving EI services before 3 years of age and performance on standardized testing among children in third grade. You can learn more about that study at https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/support-services-children-disabilities-linked-improved-academic-outcomes

Infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays may benefit from therapy services before they even start school. Now, researchers have evidence of how early intervention is boosting children's test scores years later.

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

Advocates across NY continue to sound the alarm about the waitlist and provider shortage crisis in EI program due to decades of underfunding. You can do the same right now by sending a letter to lawmakers: https://secure.everyaction.com/NDvfSrJd3keOjmc8Ki2hDg2

When infants or toddlers receive speech, occupational and physical therapy through Early Intervention (EI) before age 3, they are significantly more likely to meet proficiency standards in third grade language arts and math.

Pediatricians Dennis Kuo and Megan Tracy in Western NY call on state lawmakers to invest early. Their op-ed was published this morning in The Buffalo News. You can read the original article at https://buffalonews.com/opinion/article_a298b55a-a2e7-4653-a9d1-a76042eaba81.html

or go to https://thechildrensagenda.org/2026/05/13/another-voice-early-intervention-makes-all-the-difference-with-children/

05/11/2026

As we approach Mother’s Day, we’re thinking about how many systems that serve young kids are run by and made better by MOMS.

Onboard member Katie Kinney, occupational therapist and Early Intervention (EI) superhero, supports children with delays and disabilities in overcoming early challenges related to their ability to perform daily activities. She’s also a powerful advocate, working to ensure the system serves all children across New York State, not just those on her caseload.

Katie says it best:
"Motherhood teaches you fierce love—and with that love comes the duty to speak up, not just for your child, but for every child who needs a voice. I’ve worked as an EI occupational therapy provider for over 10 years, and I have seen that early intervention isn't just a service; it's a lifeline for many families—and one I will always advocate for."

As New York State prepares to celebrate moms (likely before we have a finalized budget) now is the time to act. In these final days before the budget passes, let policymakers know: Kids Can’t Wait: https://linktr.ee/kidscantwaitny?fbclid=IwY2xjawRnDNtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1NFNET3hPVXFpMnAwZmpmc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlxXs8nj3_iyRH0LI_gzl0i-svaUUwGUt5y-6X8Mxte6uoNdOcS9KKiZm8LI_aem_B5Mf-ze2kBwIl4wn4VpAqg