American babies and toddlers with disabilities are entitled to publicly funded therapies known as Early Intervention, since all U.S. states and territories accept federal funding for this program. But stagnant pay and an increasing cost of living mean many health care providers can no longer afford to participate in the program, and children's development has suffered as a result. Almost all states have reported Early Intervention staffing shortages, and officials and experts say the situation has become critical post-pandemic, meaning young children are left waiting months for the care they need. Speech-language pathologist Sarah Ziemba says when children don't get the help they need at a young age, "sometimes we are limiting their potential into adulthood.”