HAUPPAUGE – The Suffolk County Legislature is preparing their annual budget, and the Republican Caucus on Thursday morning announced their proposal will contain a $700,000 increase for early intervention programs.
Early intervention is aimed at children younger than 3 and intends to aid with developmental delays, disabilities, or high-risk conditions, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Services can include speech, physical or occupational therapy, or other forms of tailored support to ensure children are not left behind in educational and life skills.
“Early intervention is about giving children the support they need as early as possible. For families navigating developmental challenges, access to these services can make a meaningful difference in their child’s progress, their confidence, and their future,” said Suffolk Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport), a teacher by trade.
New York State mandates this program to be funded by municipalities, and Bontempi added that Suffolk has a “responsibility to ensure that these services are properly supported.”
“Behind every dollar in this program is a child, a parent, and a family looking for the opportunity to give their child the best possible start in life. We must never lose sight of that.”
The budget amendment was sponsored by Bontempi and Suffolk Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue).
“We want to make sure that we protect tomorrow’s generation of legislators and builders, of doctors and lawyers, and to make sure that every day we give them every opportunity to flourish,” said Thorne.
Suffolk’s Early Intervention Department is under the umbrella of the County’s Health Department. Once children turn 3, their cases are then handled by the school districts who are required to pick up the task.
“Our Early Intervention Department almost has to sub out an evaluation to one of the County’s several contractors. But if we can’t get the contractor to do the evaluation, and ultimately, the services provided because of a lack of funding or retention problems, we [the Legislature] have to act because our children are the ones who are going to suffer if they don’t get the necessary evaluations.”
Thorne mentioned success stories in non-verbal children, who, after receiving a year of speech therapy, are back on the normal development path. He credits the workers in speech pathology specifically for those breakthroughs.
“We want to make sure we have enough of them to cover the children of this county.”
But Thorne warns that the budgetary measure is so important because early intervention itself is so important. Aiding children who need these services after they turn 3 becomes much more difficult, and in some cases, it might be “too late.”
Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) said the first half of the funding was sponsored by County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and that the Legislature “made sure” to bolster it with a second half.
“The problem is, the people who deliver these services are having trouble with recruitment and retention,” said Piccirillo. “It’s crucial these monies fund the delivery of these services through their employees.”
Legislator Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), Chair of the Budget Committee, said their proposal will save taxpayers money in the long run.
“It ends up being much cheaper and more prudent to do the right thing and deal with these problems. If not, you’re left with a lot of problems and maybe some lawsuits. Putting the money in the right place is smarter and more economical.”
Flotteron also pointed to the majority caucus’ budgeting prowess that has seen the County experience five bond rating upgrades from major Wall Street creditors. Just this week, Fitch upgraded Suffolk’s bond rating from AA- to AA with “stable outlook.”
Legislator Chad Lennon (C-Rocky Point) said the increase is a product of good government and contrasted the current legislative majority with that of the Democratic majority that held power in Hauppauge for nearly 15 years. Republicans flipped control of the body in 2021.
“For decades under Democratic control, they completely ignored the early childhood intervention, as well as numerous other items we’re still dealing with today,” said Lennon. He mentioned two lawsuits – the Thomas Valva case and the red-light camera program – that left the incumbent majority dealing with the litigation.
“We’re being fiscally conservative, budgeting smartly, and trying to get everyone back on board.”
