Staten Island Reporter

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has expressed concerns over the recent changes to the New York City Public Schools' (NYCPS) guidelines for providing federally-mandated accommodations to parentally-placed students with disabilities. The new guidelines require families who missed the filing deadline to sign a waiver and find their own service provider at standard rates set by NYC DOE.

Malliotakis stated, "While we're somewhat pleased that NYCPS will begin to provide these federally-mandated services, it's disheartening that the city is extorting families into waiving their right to appeal, pursue Enhanced Rate Equitable Services, or any due process in order to have these essential services restored." She criticized the city's failure to notify families about the IESP parental intent deadline and believes it is NYCPS's responsibility to address this issue.

She further mentioned that she has contacted the U.S. Department of Education regarding this matter but noted their limited ability to intervene due to state law being more expansive. Malliotakis urged state and local governments to act in favor of affected children. "These families have had to deal with accommodations being cruelly stripped from their children," she said, emphasizing the burden placed on them to find qualified special education providers within two weeks amid a shortage.

In October, Malliotakis joined other local officials in urging the U.S. Department of Education to hold New York City accountable for not providing non-public school students with developmental disabilities the IESP accommodations guaranteed under the 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).