Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today has issued the following statement on the New York State 2014-2015 budget’s inclusion of funding for early intervention programs:

“I am proud to have voted for a New York State budget last week that provides $163 million for early intervention programs. This funding is so critical as it will offer a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

Working diligently with my colleagues in the Senate leadership, we also succeeded in obtaining an allocation of $3.9 million in this budget for state payments to early intervention providers. The funding goes towards the providers’ unpaid claims from April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013, when the state’s early intervention program first began requiring insurance claims to be completed before the state and local shares would be paid.

We must continue to support our students with special needs and their families. I will continue to be an advocate as the legislative session continues and in the future.”