Families for Children at Risk Call on N.J. Gov. McGreevey to Protect Early Childhood Intervention Programs

12/17/2003

From: Mary Anne Egan or Tom Lindley, 609-530-8918 or fcarnj@hotmail.com, both of Families For Children At Risk

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 17 -- The following was released today by MaximsNew.com (See photos and story at http://www.MaximsNews.com/fcarnj.htm):

Families For Children At Risk today called on New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey to protect the Early Intervention programs for developmentally disabled infants and toddlers and not force monthly fees for current therapeutic services on their families. Parents, already burdened with the extra medical costs of caring for the children, may have to assume an even greater hardship than they can handle.

Many children may be deprived of the therapy they need to become productive and included in society. Many will lag in their development -- permanently.

The state of New Jersey is trying to solve its budget problems by charging for services that used to be free.

Families of children with disabilities or developmental delays are now threatened with extra fees for Early Intervention therapy from the State.

The new "cost-share" for families may price families at many income levels out of the service entirely.

Early Intervention services are critically important, and research has found that they have long-term benefits to child development.

If services are NOT provided during the critical stage of early development, a child's potential may be permanently compromised.

Experts agree that a small investment in Early Intervention avoids far greater costs in the future.

Families for Children At Risk would also like to know of your support, so please phone or email us: 609-530-8918 or fcarnj@hotmail.com

For more information visit http://www.MaximsNews.com/fcarnj.htm

"We are asking ALL parents and ALL people of good will to phone the office of N.J. Gov. James McGreevey at 609-292-6000, and urge him to protect the Early Intervention programs -- and do what's right for our kids," said co-chairs Mary Anne Egan and Tom Lindley.

Contact Gov. McGreevey by the Internet: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html , or by mail at: Hon. James E. McGreevey, P.O. Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625, or by fax: 609-292-3454.