Call to Action: Contact Governor Patrick Today to Protest the Early Intervention Cut and Ask Why?

Re:    Call to Action: Contact Governor Patrick Today to Protest Early Intervention Cut
Date: January 27, 2011

Call to Action:  Contact Governor Patrick Today to Protest the Early Intervention Cut and Ask Why?

Yesterday, Governor Patrick unveiled a state budget recommendation that included a 27% cut to Early Intervention funding - the largest and most drastic cut ever proposed for Early Intervention services!  
(The Governor's budget cut the EI line item by $8 million from the current funding level of $29.4 down to $21.5 million).   

Action Step: Contact the Governor Today
We need to let the Governor hear loud and clear from the EI community that we are appalled and shocked at the level of cuts he is proposing for Early Intervention and we want some answers!  

We want to know why his words don't match his actions.  The Governor says that his budget is investing in the future and he increases funding for Education and Special Education so why is he cutting EI?  Why is he abandoning his commitment to the state's youngest and most vulnerable children and asking them to sacrifice their future health, development and education for the sake of the recession?  There is a major disconnect here.

Due to the snowstorm, we recommend emailing the Governor. Please note, the Governor does not have a direct email address so instead you need to fill out the email form on the contact page using the link below.  Just scroll down the contact page to find the pre-loaded email form. 
  

Here is the link to contact the Governor: http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_us

Here is what you should include in your personal message: Please use your own words which are far more powerful than the same message repeated over and over again.

1. Put Early Intervention or Early Intervention Budget Cuts in the Subject Line
2. State your affiliation with Early Intervention (Parent of child in EI; Program Director; Executive Director; Pediatrician/Medical Professional)  
3.Tell the Governor how you feel about the Early Intervention cut he is recommending (appalled, shocked, concerned, confused, disappointed - please use your own words here)
4. Ask the Governor to explain why he is cutting Early Intervention so severely and abandoning his commitment to Early Intervention?
5. Ask for a reply or response back to your inquiry and your stated concerns.  
6. Give your contact information 

Pleae help us send a resounding message to the Governor from the Early Intervention Community.  Thanks as always for your tireless advocacy for EI. 

MY LETTER:


As a parent of an Early Intervention graduate, and an Interagency Coordinating Council Parent Representative I write to you today to explain my disappointment, concern, and fear for the success of the Early Intervention program in the State of Massachusetts. 


Our son Christopher was diagnosed at an early age with Autism with the help and support of his child care providers and the Reach Service Net Organization (A Massachusetts Early Intervention Provider).  Because of this early diagnosis and the beneficial service hours he was then able to receive he continued and continues to gain speed in many of his developmental areas.  To the point that he is attending a preschool program fully included with his peers.  


The support our family received through the Early Intervention Program enabled us to better understand the challenges that our son Christopher faced and would face, as well as enabling us to best work together as a family to support him.  Through our positive experience I felt it necessary to continue on a path of learning and understanding, and when asked to become a parent representative for the ICC I was most honored, excited and willing to do so because I feel strongly that EVERY child in need of this early push is deserving of our time, hearts and yes, money to get the job done.  It is our responsibility as a community to support these children to succeed in every possible way we can. 


The support that our son received set him on a course to succeed from the moment he stepped foot into the public school preschool system.  Had he not had these services I hate to imagine this but I strongly believe he would not have been ready.  Further more the services he would then need through the public school system would have been ten fold what they are now.  Rather instead as I have already said – he is fully included in his preschool setting not only thieving but also contributing to the over all experience for all those who work with him and play with him.


The budget information provided to me on this day shows to me that these children are willingly by the state being left behind.  Why would the state abandon these children by reducing the budget so drastically?  Is it not important to our state to value the commitment to Early Intervention, by supporting all the efforts put forth by many amazing champions of the Early Intervention Program, the service providers that have dedicated their lives to making a difference not only for these children that need them but also to contributing to a better over all community?  


I would like to better understand the reasoning behind these tremendous cuts to the budget?  Can you please tell me how it is when for the past few years Early Intervention has struggled to survive against all odds that the budget would be reduced?  By so much?  Why not even level funding?  This makes no sense to me.  Please explain. 


I am Concerned, Disappointed and Fearful for our states children that are counting on us to help them with the necessary push they need in the critical early stages of brain development.   A critical time that we can’t get back – they can’t wait, they need our help now.


Sincerely, 
Jennifer Chabott
Address XXXXXXXX
Ph XXXXXXX
XXXXXX@hotmail.com
Our Blog:
http://chabott.blogspot.com/
Join us in our daily adventures of everyday life "living with autism". The joys, the frustrations, the celebrations, the love, the learning, the patience, the . . . the list is long, the journey; so worth it!

SENT !

Receipt of letter sent;

Contact us - Thank you

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts with Governor Patrick.  The Governor values your opinions and enjoys hearing from people across the Commonwealth.  Please know that your views are always welcome in this administration.

The Governor and his staff strive to review every piece of correspondence in a timely manner.  If appropriate, we will forward your message to the appropriate staff member, department or the state agency that can best address your concerns. If you need an immediate response, please call the Governor’s Office at 617-725-4005 to speak with a Constituent Services Aide.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with Governor Patrick.  Stay involved and engaged…this is your government!