Budget Cuts to the UCF CARD Program!!!! Contact our representatives before TUESDAY and tell them NO!!!!
Posted about 14 years ago by Janel Saunders
IMPORTANT MESSAGE SENT FROM UCF CARD PROGRAM!!!! PLEASE READ MESSAGE BELOW!!!!!!! We have to call and/or email our representatives NOW. I contacted them today. Please take a few moments to do the same!
Janel Saunders
*** Please note the change in phone numbers for Michelle Omana ***
Dear CARD Families, Constituents and Teachers:
I, like many of you, am a parent of a child with an autism spectrum disorder who is registered with UCF CARD. I am the current chair of the CARD constituency board--the group of families that represent our Central Florida autism needs from CARD and for CARD. On behalf of the UCF ConstituencyBoard, I am asking that you call as many of the Appropriations committees leaders as you can before Tuesday and let them know how important CARD is to the families of children with Autism in Central Florida.
The Senate and House K-12 Educations Appropriations Committees will be voting on CARD's funding for next year on Tuesday, March 23. At the moment the Legislature is proposing another significant cut to UCF CARD's budget-up to 15% (about $130,000-which could be two more coordinators).
We, the families of CARD, need to send a message to the members of these committees and ask them to protect our programs and funding. This is the first step in the budget process, and usually the one with a lasting effect on the final budget allocations.
Attached is a list of members for the House and Senate K-12 Education Appropriate Committees and their office phone numbers.
When making telephone calls, these are generally good tips to a productive call:
* Plan your message before you call
* Identify yourself by name and that you are a UCF CARD Constituent
* Be concise and clear. Talk about why you need CARD support and what CARD can do for your family or school
* Ask the Legislator to maintain CARD's funding (Regional Autism Centers) at the same level as last year
* Aides are great to talk to if you are not able to talk to the Senator/Legislator. Aides will relay your message to the elected officials and usually have great influence and knowledge about many issues. Most elected officials rely on Aides to do the research and suggest positions on certain issues
* Send a Thank You note to follow up your call
Thank you for your help in protecting our funding.
Michelle Omana, Chair
UCF CARD Constituency Board
407-322-0398
CONTACT NUMBERS:
Senate Appropriations Committee
Senator: Stephen R. Wise, Chairman**
(850) 487-5027
E mail wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
Senator: Gary Siplin, Vice Chair** (from Orlando)
Phone # (850) 487-5190
E mail: siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
House of Representatives Appropriations Committee
Representative Anitere Flores (Chair)**
Phone# (850) 488-2831
Representative Kelli Stargel (Vice Chair)**
Phone# (850) 488-2270
Representative Martin David Klar (Marty)
(Democratic Ranking Member)**
Phone# (850) 488-1588
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UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
12001 Science Drive, Suite 145
Orlando, FL 32826
407-737-2566/888-558-1908
407-737-2571 - Fax