Are you listening, legislators? Fix this special ed crisis

Erica Bryant
Democrat and Chronicle

There are different reasons you might want to contact state legislators after reading this watchdog report about a crisis in preschool special education. 

Perhaps you have a soft spot for children. Perhaps your heart broke to hear that little Leilani, who is on the autism spectrum, lost her ability to say "mom" after a gap in speech therapy services.

Watchdog: Crisis in special ed services for preschoolers leaves families scrambling

Perhaps you felt sad that little Schuyler, who was having trouble sitting up, had to wait eight months to start physical therapy, and when he finally did there were only three weeks left in the school year.

More:Special education: Political will lacking in Albany to address failings

There are hundreds of other children like Leilani and Schuyler in Monroe County and around the state. They are bright, joyful and curious. They are legally entitled to receive services that can help them live up to their full potential. They aren't getting these services consistently and the state Legislature is responsible. 

Schuyler Peck, 5, does his Superman exercises to help him strengthen his core muscles. He has been diagnosed with core muscle weakness and his mother, Sharon Peck fears he will fall behind in school.

Perhaps you care about financial responsibility. You know early intervention is the most cost-effective way of providing special education. A preschool child who receives needed services may not even need to continue special education in elementary school. Delaying such services makes them more expensive in the long run. 

More:Editorial: New York lawmakers failing thousands of preschoolers

Whether you care about finances or kids' futures, you can agree that legislators should fix this problem. Let them know.  Here are their names and addresses, starting with Sen. Joseph Robach, who sits on the N.Y. Senate Education Committee.  

Sen. Joseph Robach, 2300 W. Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14626, robach@nysenate.gov

Sen. Rich Funke, 230 Packett’s Landing, Fairport, NY 14450, funke@nysenate.gov

Assemblyman Harry Bronson, 840 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 244-5255, bronsonh@nyassembly.gov

Assemblyman David Gantt,107 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 454-3670, ganttd@nyassembly.gov

Assemblyman Mark Johns, 268 Fairport Village Landing, Fairport, NY 14450 
(585) 223-9130, johnsm@nyassembly.gov

Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, 564 E. Ridge Roa, Suite 103, Rochester, NY 14621
(585) 467-0410, morellej@nyassembly.gov 

Erica Bryant is the Pay It Forward columnist. Contact her at ebryant@gannett.com. 

Because she hasn't been able to find what her daughter needs, Geanna Mohamed has transformed her home into a place where Leilani can respond and thrive.