January 22, 2026
The Boost News
STATE NEWS
Kathy Hochul’s NY budget boosts spending on Medicaid, schools (Press Connects)
Advocates call out NY governor over CDPAP transition (CBS6 Albany)
Parents Sue Residential Home Over Abuse of Their Autistic Son A whistle-blower had sent footage of the assault. (NYT)
NJ creates task force to review special ed student transportation safety (WRNJ Radio)
Group homes face fines in NJ with new law. How it works Abuse and neglect has been described as “rampant,” but it’s unclear how often — if at all — fines will be used. (NorthJersey.com)
Calif. cut a program that supports people with disabilities in disasters (LA ist)
In Fla., special ed teachers in highest demand, report shows (Florida Phoenix)
Colorado proposes cutting paid caregiving hours from 112 to 56 per week (KOAA.com)
Special ed parents say kids are falling through the cracks of Idaho schools (Boise State Public Radio)
Iowa Department of HHS intends to implement two new HCBS waivers (Iowa.gov)
State assessment tool for Nebraskans with developmental disabilities leaves families ‘scrambling’ (KETV.com)
New Hampshire convenes committee to review abuse and deaths within disability care system (New Hampshire Bulletin)
Nebraska families urge lawmakers, DHHS to stop Medicaid waiver caps for Nebraskans with disabilities (Nebraska Examiner)
Tennessee bill proposes cameras in special ed classrooms, sparking privacy debate (News Channel 9)
Texas increased special ed funding. Now, the state has to decide where it will go (Houston Public Media)
MEDICAID
One Beautiful Bill Act impacts money states can raise for their Medicaid programs | First Listen States ability to raise money through provider taxes limited under new federal rules. (NPR Illinois)
RESEARCH: Medicaid’s Home Care Support for Family Caregivers in 2025 This issue brief describes the availability of self-directed services and supports for family caregivers in Medicaid home care in 2025, before most provisions in Trump’s reconciliation law, estimated to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion over the next decade, take effect. (KFF)
EDUCATION
Congress Poised To Reject Trump Changes To Special Ed, Disability Programs Special ed funding would increase by $20 million under the bill, which also spurns a Trump plan to alter IDEA in order to consolidate funding and give states more control over where dollars go. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
Congress moves to reject Trump plan to slash Education Department funding (High Ed Dive)
Bipartisan K-12 budget proposal would stall gutting of Education Department (K-12 Dive)
Trump 2.0: A sea change for K-12 (K-12 Dive)
HIGHER ED
Higher Ed Prepares for New Era of Accessibility Looming federal regulations update the ADA to make web content and mobile apps more accessible, but universities are scrambling to comply by the April deadline. (Inside Higher Ed)
AUTISM
No Link Between Acetaminophen in Pregnancy and Autism, a Study Finds The review looked at more than three dozen studies (NYT)
California wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy linked to autism risk in children The new research focused on exposure to PM 2.5, tiny particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream. (NBC News)
What if the idea of the autism spectrum is completely wrong? Several recent studies have identified apparent groups within the catch-all term of autism that are also underpinned by patterns of genes and brain activity. (New Scientist)
STUDY: Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Autism, and the Role of Leucovorin There is still a lack of scientific evidence establishing that the drug is a safe and effective treatment for autism. (The New England Journal of Medicine)
LAW
Defending the Disabled A look at the possibilities and challenges of helping those with cognitive impairments stay out of prison and get the resources they need to live productive lives. (NPR)
People With Disabilities Are More Likely Than Those Without to Have Court Experience (Pew)
IMMIGRATION
The Danger ICE Poses to the Disabled Community Law enforcement across the board has a violent record when it comes to the treatment of people who are disabled. (Nonprofit Quarterly)
FILM
‘Disability erasure’: New film tells untold story of disabled victims of Holocaust
GOOD IDEAS
How a Staten Island, NY, boxing gym is helping those with disabilities build confidence (SI Live)