Early intervention

Voted yes on H.R. 7213, the Autism CARES Act of 2024, which reauthorized federal autism programs through September 30, 2029, including National Institutes of Health autism research, CDC developmental disabilities surveillance, and the federal autism education, early detection, and intervention program. U.S. House passage, September 18, 2024: passed 402-13; also voted yes to concur in the Senate amendment, December 16, 2024 (374-15). Became Public Law 118-180.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/SB 112 (2025), which created the Early Steps Extended Option (s. 391.3081, F.S.) and allowed the Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to fund screenings, referrals, and related services for autism. Senate third reading, March 12, 2025: passed 38-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-95.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/SB 112 (2025), which created the Early Steps Extended Option (s. 391.3081, F.S.) and allowed the Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to fund screenings, referrals, and related services for autism. House passage, April 30, 2025: passed 113-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-95.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/SB 112 (2025), which created the Early Steps Extended Option (s. 391.3081, F.S.) and allowed the Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to fund screenings, referrals, and related services for autism. House passage, April 30, 2025: passed 113-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-95.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/SB 112 (2025), which created the Early Steps Extended Option (s. 391.3081, F.S.) and allowed the Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to fund screenings, referrals, and related services for autism. House passage, April 30, 2025: passed 113-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-95.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on H.R. 7213, the Autism CARES Act of 2024, which reauthorized federal autism programs through September 30, 2029, including National Institutes of Health autism research, CDC developmental disabilities surveillance, and the federal autism education, early detection, and intervention program. U.S. House passage, September 18, 2024: passed 402-13; also voted yes to concur in the Senate amendment, December 16, 2024 (374-15). Became Public Law 118-180.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Says she supports adequately funding Early Steps and improving timely access to evaluations and services, citing her professional background in special education and early intervention.

"Early intervention is one of the issues where I bring not only a policy perspective, but professional experience. I have a Master’s degree in Special Education, and my business provided early intervention services with developmental therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other professionals. I have advocated for children and families beginning at birth. I have seen firsthand that the earlier we identify a developmental need and connect a child and family with appropriate services, the more opportunity that child has to build skills and reach their potential. That isn't just my professional experience; research from the CDC and NIH supports the importance of early intervention. I support adequately funding Early Steps and improving timely access to evaluations and services. Families should not have to wait months for an evaluation or struggle to find a qualified provider after their child is determined eligible. Early intervention is an investment—not just in a child, but in the entire family and in our communities. When we give children the support they need early, we give them a better opportunity to learn, grow, and become as independent as possible. That is something worth investing in."

Source: Candidate questionnaire · Verified October 3, 2026