Suffolk Reporter

Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio held a press conference in Albany to discuss the need for improvements to New York State's Early Intervention (EI) Hub. The system is crucial for managing services for children with disabilities but has faced significant technological issues, causing service interruptions and payment delays. These problems have impacted children who rely on timely support.

"New York’s Early Intervention Program is essential to helping young children with disabilities reach their full potential, but the current system is failing them," stated Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio. She urged the Department of Health to address these issues promptly.

The event included contributions from several speakers who highlighted the real-world impact of these problems:

- Assemblyman Ed Ra

- Assemblyman Ari Brown

- Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh

- Nick Dibello, Vice President at Suffolk County AME

- Jenn DeLia, Assistant Coordinator of Special Education for Suffolk County

- Jeff Tomlinson, Legislative and Government Relations Chair for NYSOTA & FAOTA

- Lacie Schweigert, Independent Special Education Provider

Giglio emphasized the urgency of resolving these technological failures: "The future of countless children depends on the proper functioning of this system. We cannot allow technological failures to deny them the opportunities they deserve."

For more information or press inquiries, contact Gabby O’Keefe at okeefeg@nyassembly.gov.