Guest guest Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 From: Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:09 AM To: denisekarp@... Subject: Protect Early Steps Announcement from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Protect Early Steps, Florida's Part C Program Early Steps is administered by Children's Medical Services (CMS) in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C. Early Steps, which serves children from birth to 36 months who have a developmental delay, or a condition that places them at risk for developmental delays, provides Florida's infants and toddlers early intervention services and supports intended to improve children's chances to develop to their full potential by achieving specific developmental milestones. These milestones are essential to the development of a child's ability to learn, speak, and move at critical periods which research shows lead to optimal abilities in later life. In 2008-09, Florida provided these critical early intervention services to 41,940 children. For the 2010-11 fiscal year, a projected shortfall of about $4.2 million dollars could jeopardize the federal government's ability to provide a grant to Florida. The shortfall would result in a loss of funding from the state to continue a meaningful program, and the state could lose this $54 million early intervention program. Research has proven that the time to have the biggest impact on a child's health and functioning is in the child's early years. Longitudinal studies have documented the savings to society in the long run by taking care of our youngest citizens now. The Council encourages lawmakers to adequately fund the Part C Early Steps program to effectively serve all children with a developmental delay. The state needs 4.2 million dollars to maintain Early Steps at the current level or risk losing our federal grant to provide services critical to the health and functioning of all children ages 0-36 months that have a developmental delay. ****************************************************************************** We will be contacting members of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee in the Senate and the Health Care Appropriations Committee in the House. Please click here http://www.fddc.org/news/legislative-information-committee-contacts to access these legislators and let them know your opinion. Forward email This email was sent to denisekarp@... by vandab@.... Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeâ„¢ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Florida Developmental Disabilities Council | 124 Marriott Drive | Suite 203 | Tallahassee | FL | 32301 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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