NYS Lawmakers Seek Funds for Children

ALBANY — With the clock ticking on the budget due April 1, advocates and legislators called Monday for the final spending plan to include help for programs benefiting disabled children.
The providers says that since the state Health Department revamped the payment system that was formerly run by counties, payments from health insurance companies have been delayed for weeks and months. They want the state to take responsibility for billing and collection for services to kids with autism, developmental disabilities or other serious conditions diagnosed when they are small children.

Lawmakers Warn of Special Education Cuts

Some 12,000 special education teachers and aides could lose their jobs in the coming months unless Congress acts to stop impending cuts, according to a new report from Congressional Democrats.

Special Ed Funding May Drop $900 Million

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The nation’s top education official is warning that special education programs across the country will face “devastating” budget cuts next year unless Congress acts.
Federal education spending for students with disabilities could be reduced by $900 million next year, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told a U.S. Senate panel Wednesday.
That could translate to layoffs for over 10,000 teachers, aides and other staff who support the nation’s 6.6 million students with special needs, he said.