Update on EI/ECSE E-Board additional funding
Submitted by Shelley Joyce on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 2:16pm.
The Emergency Board met the end of June and one of the things they discussed was the funding request for EI/ECSE services. Advocates and the programs that serve young children were asking for the release of $5.8 Million of the $6 Million set aside in the Special Purpose Appropriation for EI/ECSE. The Department of Education had requested only $1.8 Million.
The advocacy for this program from families and legislators was incredible. While there was a logical explanation for the smaller funding request, it became clear that there was a great deal of additional information both about case load and additional costs that needed to be considered. The Department of Education made sure that legislators were aware of this additional information.
The Emergency Board released the $1.8 million dollars. The remaining $4.2 are still being held for possible release to EI/ECSE. There will be a workgroup formed immediately that includes legislators to look at the funding formula and other issues. EI/ECSE funding will come back to the Emergency Board in September.
While it was disappointing to not get the money, this may be a situation of short term pain for long term gain. This is the most positive attention to the EI/ ECSE funding/service level issues we have seen in years!
There was an enormous amount of work and many discussions that went on behind the scenes and some great comments at the hearing. Thanks go out to all of those who worked so hard on this issue....they really care about our children and we need to let them know we appreciate it! These are just a few.....
Rep. Peter Buckley rep.peterbuckley@state.or.us; 541-488-9180
Rep. Chris Edwards; rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us; 541-607-9207
Rep. Sara Gelser rep.saragelser@state.or.us ; 503-986-1416
Rep. Mary Nolan, Chair; rep.marynolan@state.or.us; 503-221-4999
Sen. Frank Morse sen.frankmorse@state.or.us; 503-986-1708
The advocacy for this program from families and legislators was incredible. While there was a logical explanation for the smaller funding request, it became clear that there was a great deal of additional information both about case load and additional costs that needed to be considered. The Department of Education made sure that legislators were aware of this additional information.
The Emergency Board released the $1.8 million dollars. The remaining $4.2 are still being held for possible release to EI/ECSE. There will be a workgroup formed immediately that includes legislators to look at the funding formula and other issues. EI/ECSE funding will come back to the Emergency Board in September.
While it was disappointing to not get the money, this may be a situation of short term pain for long term gain. This is the most positive attention to the EI/ ECSE funding/service level issues we have seen in years!
There was an enormous amount of work and many discussions that went on behind the scenes and some great comments at the hearing. Thanks go out to all of those who worked so hard on this issue....they really care about our children and we need to let them know we appreciate it! These are just a few.....
Rep. Peter Buckley rep.peterbuckley@state.or.us; 541-488-9180
Rep. Chris Edwards; rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us; 541-607-9207
Rep. Sara Gelser rep.saragelser@state.or.us ; 503-986-1416
Rep. Mary Nolan, Chair; rep.marynolan@state.or.us; 503-221-4999
Sen. Frank Morse sen.frankmorse@state.or.us; 503-986-1708
» add new comment | printer friendly version | 178 reads
