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| Spring 2009

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Immediate Action Needed:  Taking EI Advocacy Effort to the Next Level

Direct Outreach to House Speaker DeLeo and House Ways and Means Chairman Murphy Needed to support the EI Conference Budget Request

We sent our EI Conference Budget advocacy request to everyone last week and we hope that every EI program has activated their network and is busy making their calls and sending their emails to their Representative and Senator requesting their support for the Early Intervention Conference Budget Request.

But that general advocacy is not enough.  There is so much at stake for EI in this Conference Budget process that we need to add targeted advocacy efforts as well.

We are asking all 58 Early Intervention Programs throughout the state to write a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Murphy asking them to support the Early Intervention Conference Budget Request.   Many Executive Directors weighed in when we did this targeted outreach during the House budget debate and we desperately need that level of support for this Conference effort.     

Template for letter content is below.

We are not providing a direct sample because we do not want form letters.  We want each letter to be distinct and different for full impact.  It is imperative that Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Murphy hear directly from EI programs about what is at stake for Early Intervention programs and the families you serve if the Conference Budget request is not approved. 

1. Time is of the essence so please email the letter and then mail a hard copy.
2..Please put the letter on your EI program letterhead or include your program logo and address  
3. Please include a RE: so they know immediately what the email and letter is about 

Email for Speaker DeLeo:       Robert.DeLeo@state.ma.us
Email for Chairman Murphy:    Rep.CharlesMurphy@hwm.state.ma.us


    Honorable Robert DeLeo
    Speaker of the Massachusetts House
    State House Room 356
    Boston, MA  02133

     RE:   Early Intervention Conference Budget Request: $29.3 million for EI Line Item 4513-1020 and

It is Time to Lift the EI Insurance Cap –Include Senate Outside Sections 52-55   

Dear Speaker DeLeo:
 
    I am the Program Director at the xxxx Program in xxxx and I am writing to thank you for the incredible support you have already demonstrated for Early Intervention and to ask you to support the Early Intervention Conference Budget Request.  For Early Intervention, the stakes have never been higher.  Over $11 million in federal funding and eligibility are both at risk as Conference Committee meets to determine the Early Intervention funding for Fiscal Year 2010.   

(Please use your own words but here is some suggested text to illustrate just how much is at stake and how catastrophic the impact will be if EI loses the federal funding).

  It is not hyperbole to state that it would literally be catastrophic for my EI program and the entire Early Intervention system if the state were to lose over $11 million in federal funding if the Early Intervention Conference funding level falls below the federal maintenance of effort requirement. Statewide it would result in drastic eligibility changes that would impact tens of thousands of babies and toddlers (depending on the severity of the funding cut- the number of babies and toddler impacted could range anywhere from 10,000 – 18,000 or 30% – 60% of the 30,000 children currently receiving Early Intervention services would lose their eligibility).

  Briefly state what a catastrophic impact a cut of 30 – 60% would have on your program and the number of children and families you serve in xxxx (cities and towns your program serves). 

 I have attached the fact sheet from the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium which describes the budget request and the options available to conferees.  The bottom line is that we must secure a minimum of $29.3 million in total funding to prevent loss of federal funds and preserve eligibility.  But that alone will not prevent additional cuts to the Early Intervention system.  Our programs have already been notified that over $2 million in cuts will be made if funding for EI remains at the $29.3 million funding level.  The Senate language to lift or eliminate the EI insurance cap would save the state an estimated $4.1 million and could preserve eligibility and services and prevent these cuts.  As the state faces its worst fiscal crisis, we urge Conferees to implement this language as part of the Early Intervention funding solution.  It is time to lift the cap on Early Intervention to preserve services to thousands of babies and toddlers.   

I understand the enormity of the state’s fiscal crisis and the incredible challenge you face, and I simply ask you to do whatever you can to help preserve Early Intervention services in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget. 

    For Speaker DeLeo close the letter by thanking him for the leadership and support he has so consistently demonstrated for Early Intervention.  We need his support this year more than ever.  

    Sign with your name, title and program address.  


For Chairman Murphy Letter: (same text except for the closing)

    Honorable Charles Murphy
    Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
    State House Room 243
    Boston, MA  02133

    RE:     Dear Chairman Murphy:
   
Closing for Chairman Murphy letter: Thank him for supporting Early Intervention in the House budget and tell him that we need his support now more than ever to prevent the loss of federal funding and preserve eligibility for Early Intervention services. 

Please send your letter ASAP.  Thank you so much for all your support and advocacy for EI.     

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