The city Department of Education has finally implemented a long-delayed policy allowing occupational and physical therapists to work a voluntary ninth session for additional pay. The implementation comes nearly three years after the provision was secured in the 2023 DOE–UFT contract.

The change, finalized citywide as of March 2026, comes after sustained advocacy by UFT members, who argued the policy would help address widespread service gaps for students with mandated therapy.

“It should have been a no-brainer to get this done,” said Paul Kutcher, an occupational therapist at P4 @ PS 179, a District 75 program in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Kutcher said many students across the city who have individualized education programs (IEPs) requiring therapy are not receiving it — including 40 uncovered sessions at his school during the 2024–25 school year.

“Kids would wait months or years for services,” he said. “So, the premise was good: Get those kids served and get us some extra money.”

However, while the 2023 contractual provision appeared straightforward, its rollout proved anything but. It required the diligent advocacy of the UFT and members of the Occupational and Physical Therapists (OT/PT) Chapter.

“We brought it up at every consultation meeting every month since June 2023,” said OT/PT Chapter Leader Thomas Ayrovainen. The DOE initially cited the need to build a new payroll system, a process that took about a year. It then introduced a limited pilot program in two districts, which began in January 2025 after additional delays. When it came time to expand the pilot, lack of funding was cited as a barrier.

For therapists, those explanations were frustrating.

“They claimed there’s no funding, but they were paying contractors and agency therapists to cover sessions, not their own therapists,” said Kutcher. “We know these kids, and we want to help them.”

The stakes, therapists said, are clear.

“When a student gets the occupational or physical therapy services they need, the student thrives,” said Ayrovainen. “We love to see the change as a result of therapy when students start to get around the school building more easily or manage their sensory needs and focus in class.”

“We had unserved kids all over the city, a shortage of therapists and a way to fix it — and the DOE wasn’t funding it,” said Ayrovainen.

Union members ultimately escalated the issue to the union’s consultation with the chancellor. Within a month, the DOE moved forward.

Therapists say the new option provides both flexibility and an opportunity to better meet student needs.

“This is a great opportunity for therapists to make a little extra money while providing benefits to additional kids,” said Keith Melluso, an itinerant occupational therapist in Brooklyn’s District 19. “And there’s flexibility: If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to.”

Kutcher said the outcome reflects the strength of sustained advocacy. “We had strong, solid advocates calling out the city and pushing back,” he said. “It was nice to feel supported by my union.”