Fwd: EARLY STEPS FUNDING CRISIS

[Guest guest]

If Early Intervention ever played a part in your lives, please respond!

As discussed at the March Provider Council Meeting, funding to sustain the Early Steps Program next fiscal year is in great jeopardy. The program is at real risk; we must immediately orchestrate a vigorous and substantial advocacy campaign.

Currently, 4.2 million dollars that has supported the Program in the past is not included in any budget (House, Senate or the Governor's). Stimulus funds have kept the program operational this year and are already included in next year's budget ... the 4.2 million are state funds critical to "balancing" the budget. Attached are two lists (House and Senate) of legislators key to Florida's appropriations process.

also attached is a Fact Sheet so that phone calls can be placed to these legislators

additionally, there is a letter for providers to mail, and

a different letter more appropriate for families (which offers space to identify their child and his/her developmental issues)

providers are urged to print and make these letters available ... encourage families to mail the letters to as many of the legislators on this list as possible we are also preparing stamped postcards that may be easier for families to mail ... however, these are not yet in production and will take at least a week to receive

This program has never before needed families to come forward, to plead for and to affirm the value of these services. We have never before presented such a dire financial situation to our providers. Unfortunately, this is why few legislators know or understand the program. There is very little time to turn next year's funding forecast. This is why the attached letters need to be sent immediately.

We will disseminate the postcards to you as soon as these are available. In the meantime, we need our in-home agencies to consider how they will get these into the hands of their providers to distribute to our families.

Our best opportunity is to engage the participation of families and of those who understand the importance of these services to children and families. If you wish to create your own letters, we ask that you use the facts in the materials already prepared.

Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Jeanne Miley, Manager

Broward Early Steps

5 of 5 File(s)

FSenateHHS.doc

familyletter.doc

FlHouseRep.HealthcareAppro..doc

2010legislativeletter.doc

FCAITAdvocacyFactSheet2010(5)(2).doc

[Guest guest]

If Early Intervention ever played a part in your lives, please respond!

As discussed at the March Provider Council Meeting, funding to sustain the Early Steps Program next fiscal year is in great jeopardy. The program is at real risk; we must immediately orchestrate a vigorous and substantial advocacy campaign.

Currently, 4.2 million dollars that has supported the Program in the past is not included in any budget (House, Senate or the Governor's). Stimulus funds have kept the program operational this year and are already included in next year's budget ... the 4.2 million are state funds critical to "balancing" the budget. Attached are two lists (House and Senate) of legislators key to Florida's appropriations process.

also attached is a Fact Sheet so that phone calls can be placed to these legislators

additionally, there is a letter for providers to mail, and

a different letter more appropriate for families (which offers space to identify their child and his/her developmental issues)

providers are urged to print and make these letters available ... encourage families to mail the letters to as many of the legislators on this list as possible we are also preparing stamped postcards that may be easier for families to mail ... however, these are not yet in production and will take at least a week to receive

This program has never before needed families to come forward, to plead for and to affirm the value of these services. We have never before presented such a dire financial situation to our providers. Unfortunately, this is why few legislators know or understand the program. There is very little time to turn next year's funding forecast. This is why the attached letters need to be sent immediately.

We will disseminate the postcards to you as soon as these are available. In the meantime, we need our in-home agencies to consider how they will get these into the hands of their providers to distribute to our families.

Our best opportunity is to engage the participation of families and of those who understand the importance of these services to children and families. If you wish to create your own letters, we ask that you use the facts in the materials already prepared.

Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Jeanne Miley, Manager

Broward Early Steps

5 of 5 File(s)

FSenateHHS.doc

familyletter.doc

FlHouseRep.HealthcareAppro..doc

2010legislativeletter.doc

FCAITAdvocacyFactSheet2010(5)(2).doc