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Dear MDSC Member,
Last year, we were thrilled when both the state Senate and House of Representatives agreed to include a $100,000 appropriation in the budget for the MDSC. This funding was essential to our ability to advocate for full, meaningful lives for individuals with Down syndrome across the state, directly paying for programs and services that provide hope to new and expectant parents, training to medical professionals and students, best practices to educators, meaningful opportunities for teens and adults, and a strong voice on Capitol Hill.
Although that $100,000 line item once again made it into the House version of the FY14 budget (which begins July 1, 2013), unfortunately, the Senate failed to include our appropriation in its version.
Please read on for what you can do to help!
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TAKE ACTION NOW! Calls to Senators Needed to Continue Funding for Essential MDSC Programs
 Our friend, state Senator Katherine Clark has agreed to sponsor a budget amendment to include that funding for the MDSC. She will file the amendment by tomorrow. The next step will be for the House and Senate to debate the budgets and then vote to decide what will get into the final version for fiscal year 2014.
Now is the time for MDSC advocates to call your State Senator and ask him or her to support Senator Katherine Clark's budget amendment for line item 5911-1003 to keep the MDSC's $100,000 appropriation in the FY14 state budget. This money is critical to the continuation of the MDSC educational outreach programs that help the 5,000 families who are a part of the MDSC network.
Please take a moment to call and/or write your State Sentor and ask them to support Senator Katherine Clark's budget amendment.
Don't delay.... the deadline for co-sponsoring amendments is Tuesday, May 21.
Please read on for a suggested script when calling your Senator's office!
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What Should You Say? Try This Sample Script...
Here is a sample script that you can use when calling your Senator to ask for their support of Sen. Clark's amendment:
Senator _________,
As your constituent, I am calling to ask you to sign on as a co-sponsor for Senator Katherine Clark's budget amendment for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress - Line Item 5911-1003.
The MDSC provides critical programs and services for over 5,000 people living with Down syndrome in Massachusetts. As a family member who has a loved one with Down syndrome, this is very important to me and my family.
Please let Senator Katherine Clark's office know by Tuesday that you will co-sponsor her amendment to Line Item 5911-1003. Sen. Clark is located in Rm. 410 at the State House. She is reachable via telephone at 617-722-1206 or email at [email protected].
Thank you, in advance, for your support,
Your Name
Your Address and Phone
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Support Needed for Broad Disability Funding
In terms of broader disability funding, the Senate's overall budget was lower than the House version though it does reflect an increase over FY13. Our partners at The Arc of Massachusetts are reporting the following regarding the Senate Ways and Means Results compared to House Budget:
- Respite-Fam. support has $2 million less
- Autism account has $1 million less
- Transportation has $500,000 less (Turning 22 $$ for graduates now in services)
- Employment/Day account is $500,000 less
- Community Residential has $3 million more
- State Operated residential account has $500,000 more
- DDS Service Coord/Admin has $120,000 less
- Turning 22 and DESE-DDS are the same in both budgets
Stay tuned to the MDSC's Facebook page for an Action Alert to ask your Senator to support sufficient funding for these line-items.
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Sincerely,
Maureen Gallagher, Executive Director
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