Editor's Update

February 25, 2009

Rep. Trent Franks
2435 Rayburn Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Fax: 202-225-6328
Fax: 623-776-7832

RE: Reduction in services for children with disabilities

I have never before written a Congressman or other elected representative for anything personal. But the time has come. This is my granddaughter!

I am the grandparent of a 19 month old little girl diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy who is receiving services through Arizona Department of Economic Security/Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES-DDD) . I just learned that the Early Intervention services and therapies provided by DES-DDD will be eliminated March 1st for budget reasons! My daughter has been notified by her daughter's speech, physical and developmental therapists that they will no longer be able to provide services to my granddaughter.

I understand that Arizona has difficult budget decisions during these challenging times, but it is unfair to mandate such deep payment cuts. This is unfair and does not take into consideration that these services are most successful and cost-effective, or how many lives are harmed when they are eliminated! There does not seem to be any logical reasoning behind this.

I am seeking your assistance in addressing this reduction so that therapy services are restored immediately. These children cannot wait while we sort out our budget issues. Each child requires these therapies and programs; they absolutely need these DES-DDD services which provide the interventions that are so effective ! Intervening early reaps the maximum benefit for society. The child's increased developmental and educational gains and decreased dependence upon social institutions, the family's increased ability to cope with the presence of an exceptional child, and perhaps the child's increased eligibility for employment, all provide economic as well as social benefits.( * below)

Thank you for your attention to my concerns. I appreciate all that you do to ensure quality of life for the residents of Arizona. I look forward to meeting or hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

XXXXX XXXXXXX (name withheld to protect privacy)

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