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Wyoming County urges state to release Covered Lives funds and distribution guidance for Early Intervention
Summary
The board called on the Governor and Legislature to expedite distribution of Covered Lives funding and to ensure counties receive their share using the existing escrow/reimbursement methodology (49% county / 51% state), citing shortfalls since 2023.
Wyoming County unanimously approved Resolution No. 26-198 urging the Governor and State Legislature to expedite release of Covered Lives implementation guidance and funding for the Early Intervention Program (EIP). The resolution, introduced by Human Services Chair Ms. Roberts, states counties have not received the full estimated annual share of Covered Lives funds since the program’s implementation — citing $15.4 million released of an expected $20.4 million annually since Fiscal Year 2023 — and calls for a distribution methodology consistent with the current 49 percent county / 51 percent state split for escrow reimbursement.
The resolution asks the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention to consider amending county escrow agreements to provide counties their Covered Lives share at the beginning of the state fiscal year and requests clarity on child-level data maintenance to ensure fair application of funds across municipalities.
Board members framed the request as necessary to avoid increased county escrow costs and to stabilize early intervention provider payments and local budgeting.
