ALERT
From
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Projected Shortfall for Part C/Early Steps
Program
The FDDC has discovered that there will be an estimated 3.2 million dollar decrease in federal funding for Florida's Part C/Early Steps
Program for fiscal year 2008-2009. Florida's lawmakers have not compensated for the federal reduction in their budgets. The
Senate shows a 3.8 million dollar reduction in its budget for this program, and the House shows a 1 million dollar reduction. The Early Steps Program
provides Florida's infants and toddlers (from birth to 36 months), who have a developmental delay or a condition that places them at risk for
developmental delay, with early intervention services and supports.
The Council will be working to restore funding to the same amount
as last year which will mean adding 1 million dollars to the House budget offer and 3.8 million dollars to the Senate budget offer during conference
committee meetings, which begin next week.
Please call or email the following lawmakers today and
urge them to restore funding to the Part C/Early Steps program so that Florida can effectively serve all children with a developmental delay or those
who are at risk of developing one.
If you have any questions, please call the Florida Developmental
Disabilities Council Toll-Free at 1-800 580-7801 or TDD at 888-488-8633.
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