New! Election 2026: Tips for Independent Advocates
Interested in connecting with candidates this election season? Check out our new toolkit for tips on sharing your story, asking questions, and making your voice heard.
New! Watch CEO Stanfort Perry’s State Senate Testimony on barriers to employment and engaging 853 schools can create stronger outcomes.
Parent Advocacy is The Most IMPORTANT Advocacy of All
For 853 and 4410 schools, the key question to ask legislators is, “If I pay the same taxes as every other New Yorker, why is my child’s school not funded in the same way?”
Brookville Center for Children’s Services (BCCS) is composed of Early Intervention services, 4410 special-education preschools, 853 state-approved school-age programs, and includes home services for preschool and school age, Children’s Residential Program as well as respite and recreation programs.
Federal Issues
Protect Disability Rights in Education
Students with disabilities are public education students first. Recent federal proposals would move key special education and civil rights functions out of the U.S. Department of Education, raising concerning about consistency, oversight, and accountability for students with disabilities.
Learn More
-The Arc US, “Moving Special Education and Civil Rights Out of Education Department Risks a Patchwork of Rights for Students With Disabilities”
-The EDU Ledger, “Civil Rights and Disability Offices Relocated from U.S. Department of Education in
Broader Federal Restructuring Effort”
Advance Federal Recognition of the DSP Role
The U.S. Senate passed the “Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Act” (S.3211, H.R. 6137), which requires the Office of Management and Budget to consider updating the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) and recognizing the DSP role as a distinct profession. This leads to data collection and, ideally, more robust funding. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.
H.Res.1586 – Defend Community Integration
Contact your U.S. Representative and bring to their attention the importance of H.Res.1586, and reaffirm Congress’s commitment to community integration and the civil rights of people with disabilities.
New York State Budget Priorities
As New York State develops its upcoming Executive Budget, disability service providers are advocating for investments that strengthen services and the workforce that supports them:
- A 3.4 Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) to help keep provider reimbursement rates aligned with the rising costs of delivering services.
- Human Services Careforce Worker Wage Investment to strengthen compensation and improve retention for direct support professionals, clinicians, care managers, and non-executive staff earning under $125,000 a year across all human services sectors.
- A restored and updated Healthcare Enhancement Program to address rising healthcare costs and help ensure state investments have their intended impact.
- Stay tuned for the one-click advocacy campaign in Q4 2026 and opportunities to make your voice heard.
Protect Medicaid
The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) Act was signed into law—bringing with it significant cuts to federal Medicaid and SNAP funding. Medicaid funds 95% of OPWDD services, including Early Intervention Services; Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapies; and assistive technology for children with disabilities and delays.
- Continue to share your support for Medicaid.
- Consider sharing a public comment on how under newly proposed eligibility rules a developmental disability diagnosis may not be enough to qualify for a Medicaid work exemption starting Jan. 1, 2027.
- If you or someone you know needs help finding meals, visit https://whyhunger.org/.
Stay Connected
- Know your resources, know your rights. New York Department of State’s Office for New Americans has released “Know Your Resources, Know Your Rights.” This is a guide for all New Yorkers, including immigrants, to explain your basic rights regarding interactions with law enforcement, food and nutrition resources, health and wellness, and employment. Click here to visit the website.
- Set up a “lobby visit” with your representatives. Tips available here.
- Check out Key Learnings from the In-Person Advocacy Workshop in January to help you get started advocating!
- Sign up for our Regional Advocacy Groups―to connect with fellow advocates and educate candidates on both sides of the aisle about disability rights.
- Share Brookville Center’s social media posts dedicated to advocacy on Facebook and Instagram.