For many New York families, finding the right support for a child with special needs can be difficult. This fall, that is set to change. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels have announced a $67.5 million investment to bring more special education services into Pre-K classrooms across the city. For the first time, young children in Pre-K will have access to programs such as Nest, Horizon, AIMS, Path, and ACES. These programs are designed to help children with autism, emotional or behavioral challenges, and developmental or intellectual disabilities learn in a supportive environment. The new services will be available at 26 schools across 14 districts in all five boroughs, creating about 250 new Pre-K seats for children who need extra support. The investment will also help schools hire hundreds of new staff members. This includes 35 professionals at 10 additional assessment centers to speed up Individualized Education Program (IEP) evaluations, helping children receive the services they need sooner. The city is also expanding its Special Education Itinerant Teacher program by adding 29 new therapists and specialists. Mayor Mamdani said the goal is simple: "Every child deserves to learn and grow in their community." For many parents, this announcement brings hope that their children will receive the support they need from an earlier age. City leaders believe that providing help during the preschool years can make a big difference, giving more children the chance to learn, grow, and succeed alongside their classmates. #NYC #NewYorkCity #SpecialEducation #PreK #AutismSupport - @witholaf