Missing their window
Nancy Cutler
Poughkeepsie Journal USA TODAY NETWORK
Too often, children who are referred for early intervention services face delays in getting the therapies they need, may not get all the services recommended, and sometimes don’t get any at all, according to an audit by the state Comptroller’s Office.
And according to the audit and the state Health Department’s own report, equity in access to services lags. White children are usually referred to the program at a younger age than Black or Hispanic children. Black children are also less likely than white children to receive therapeutic services on time.
“Failure to provide babies and toddlers with early intervention services misses a critical window of opportunity and increases the risk of significant developmental and learning delays, and the need for more special education services in the future,” state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said. “The Department of Health needs to address the underlying reasons why children are not receiving the services they are entitled to, why services are often delayed and how access can be improved.”