http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2009/10/23/to-officials-who-funded-a-program-for-disabled-children-despite-tight-budget-advocates-say-thank-you/ Stirring Up Baltimore News and Views Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2009/10/23/to-officials-who-funded-a-program-for-disabled-children-despite-tight-budget-advocates-say-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-5397 Susie Fitzhugh Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:13:58 +0000 http://baltimorebrew.com/publish/?p=5753#comment-5397 Jennifer, your own work on behalf of the children has a lot to do with the state's fuller understanding of what the funding really means to families. Your straightforward way of writing and photographing allows us to see for ourselves what is important. Thanks for keeping me on this list. love, Susie Jennifer, your own work on behalf of the children has a lot to do with the state’s fuller understanding of what the funding really means to families. Your straightforward way of writing and photographing allows us to see for ourselves what is important. Thanks for keeping me on this list. love, Susie

]]> http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2009/10/23/to-officials-who-funded-a-program-for-disabled-children-despite-tight-budget-advocates-say-thank-you/comment-page-1/#comment-5395 Anonymous Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:06:48 +0000 http://baltimorebrew.com/publish/?p=5753#comment-5395 Thanks Jennifer for sharing your perspective about the importance of supporting early intervention services for our children with developmental delays and their families. Early intervention and special education services are a mandated entitlement. Regardless of family income, or of the State's funding ability, children with disabilities enrolled in the early intervention and special education system are legally required to receive the services and supports that an appropriate team determines they need. Yet services provided through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)are not an entitlement.Rather, the provision of DDA funded services are based upon eligibilty and availabilty of funding.No funding, no service. Hence a current DDA waiting list of over 18 thousand people. Consequently, the reality for thousands and thousands of our families with sons and daughters of disabilities is that our education system is the strongest and often sole source of support for them. While we rightfully decry cuts to the DDA, it is as important to support funding for our early intervention and special education system. Honoring our state leaders who made increased funding for the Infants and. Toddlers Program a reality, was further celebrated by your photos and your words. Thanks for another wonderful piece! Thanks Jennifer for sharing your perspective about the importance of supporting early intervention services for our children with developmental delays and their families.
Early intervention and special education services are a mandated entitlement.
Regardless of family income, or of the State’s funding ability, children with disabilities enrolled in the early intervention and special education system are legally required to receive the services and supports that an appropriate team determines they need.
Yet services provided through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)are not an entitlement.Rather, the provision of DDA funded services are based upon eligibilty and availabilty of funding.No funding, no service. Hence a current DDA waiting list of over 18 thousand people.
Consequently, the reality for thousands and thousands of our families with sons and daughters of disabilities is that our education system is the strongest and often sole source of support for them.
While we rightfully decry cuts to the DDA, it is as important to support funding for our early intervention and special education system.
Honoring our state leaders who made increased funding for the Infants and. Toddlers Program a reality, was further celebrated by your photos and your words.
Thanks for another wonderful piece!

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