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Family Support & Resources
Child Development Resources
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Early Intervention
NJ Early Intervention System--www.njeis.org
State of NJ, Division of Family Health Services Early Intervention System- http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/eis/index.shtml
SPEAK UP NOW!
Let the NJ Legislators know that you are concerned about increasing the family cost of early intervention services!
Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities and its Early Intervention Providers Association (EIPA) is concerned as to the impact of the $12 million cut on EI services to families and children.The most significant cut is to the providers who will get a 5% reduction in reimbursement for services; bringing them back to levels prior to 2004!
We are very concerned about the change in the Family Cost Share. Here is a link to ABCD's website which urges people to provide written or oral testimony on the Family Cost Share, along with material which ABCD developed earlier about the impact of the Family Cost Share on families at 300% of the federal poverty level.
Take some time and write to the commissioner or register to testify at the September 1st Public Hearing (4-7 pm). There is availability from 4:20 pm until 7 at the meeting in Trenton and each person has 5 minutes for testimony. Speak up and let the legislators hear about the negative impact that will affect families with the change in the income threshold for the Family Cost Share!
Visit ABCD's website for ways to make a difference!
Read the following documents for further information and details:
Let Governor Christie and the Legislature
Hear Your Voice on No Cuts to Early Intervention
Governor Christie's FY'11 Budget includes a $12 million cut to the Early Intervention (EI) program. This cut will have a devastating impact on the system's capacity to provide needed services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.
The Budget calls for a change in the Family Cost Share. Currently, the Family Cost Share is for families with incomes over 350% of the Federal Poverty level ($64,085 for a family of three and $77,175 for a family of four).
A proposal to lower the income threshold for the Family Cost Share will negatively impact the ability of families to receive necessary services. When the family cost share was first implemented many families left the Early Intervention system because they were unable to pay the Family Cost share. Many children went without important therapeutic services.
Other options which have been discussed include closing EI program providers for two weeks during the year or reducing services to children at 32 months.
The Department has been told that the EI program has a $12 million goal of either generating additional revenue or reducing expenses. All options being discussed will have a negative impact on this vital program.
We need to ensure that the $12 million be reinstated in the EI budget so that the Department does not need to put any of these negative options into place.
Take Action! Send an email!
The FY'11 budget which is currently being debated must include the additional $12 million for the Early Intervention system. Without restoration of this cut, children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families may not receive the essential Early Intervention services.
Our goal is to flood the email inboxes of Governor Christie and Members of the Legislature as the budget debate is happening.
It's easy - use this link to send your email.
Questions? Contact Lowell Arye or Megan Ducoff at Lowell@abcdnj.org , Megan@abcdnj.org
or (609) 581-8375.
We also urge you to make actual phone calls to your Legislators in whose districts your agencies reside. Use this link to find your legislators and their district office phone numbers:
Thanks for your efforts.
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