FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Delegate Elliott Pritt (R-Fayette) wants WV Birth to Three professionals to know they are valued. His HB 2606 would increase their compensation, which has faced wage stagnation for 22 years.
The program supports children (and their families) under age three with developmental delays — including speech, motor skills, and anything that prevents them from meeting important milestones.
“These therapists go to people’s homes and work with the kids. It’s probably one of the best programs in the state of West Virginia,” Pritt said. “My oldest (Able) used WVBTT when he was 2 to 3 years old after I got out of the military and we moved back home.”
The program has widespread bipartisan support, and Pritt says it has positively impacted thousands of families across the Mountain State over the past two decades. Yet, these therapists going 22 years without a single rate increase…
“Is unconscionable because of the service that they’re providing to our state. They use their vehicles to show up to people’s homes, and a lot of times have to buy implements to work with the kids,” said the delegate, adding they’re not state employees so they don’t qualify for state benefits like pay or retirement. “The only reason they’re still showing up and working with these kids is because they love the kids.”
Parents as Teachers home visitation program supervisor Natalie Burley says she wants to see improvements. PAS supports a healthy home environment where parents can raise their children to be excited about school.
“It is frightening to know that the people who help us most impacting these children’s lives forever could be put on the back burner,” said Burley. “Hoping that things will change for them and the therapists can get the quality attention they need to offer better services for the kids in our counties.”
According to Pritt, HB 2606 would offer a 25 percent increase to the appropriation item.
“I don’t think 25 is enough for 22 years of never getting a raise,” the delegate said. “Will they get 25? I don’t know. Working as hard as I can to try to make sure they get something.”
The bill would mean everything to parents knowing they’d still have access to statewide providers. Pritt says especially for low-income families who live in rural areas and don’t have access to larger medical facilities or their pediatrician. We have many West Virginia children, especially in the southern part of the state who are born addicted. WVBTT works with all of them.
“They’re doing an invaluable service — helping prepare our kids for the best possible situation to be successful from an early age,” said Pritt. “And that’s not something you can put a price tag on.”
PAT wants to be a resource for the parent.
“Birth to Three services the child so we have a very special relationship. When we’re in there, we can encourage those parents hesitant to reach out for therapy for developmental delays because it’s scary, especially as a first-time parent, to acknowledge the needs that your child may have or think that you couldn’t provide what your child needs,” Burley said. “We want to bring those services to the homes of our families who otherwise would not have it. It’s so important we support that.”
The issue is always money.
“But my argument is, ‘Well, we’ve saved money in the budget the last 22 years,” said Pritt. “We should have probably set some aside for this. So let’s make it happen.”
