Fight for our Children

I don't usually put things on here like this, but a friend of mine sent me this and I believe in supporting anything for the better of our, or any children.


Hello all.
I am writing to inform you of State budget cuts that will have an enormous effect statewide on children with disabilities. As we well know, there is a budget crisis in Arizona. The state legislature has taken action by passing cuts to children's therapy and other intervention services that will leave thousands and thousands of children without services that are vital to their development. This new cut will force therapy services to be discontinued to children who are 0-3 years (who are not approved for long term care). These years have the greatest potential to change the course of lives. Taking these services will be devastating to literally THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of children's futures who will no longer receive the care they desperately need. It is absolutely astounding that our legislature could literally take futures away from helpless children. Not only will children lose services, but families as a whole will be greatly affected as well. These families will lose help and HOPE for a 'normal' future for their children. So, why am I writing this today...we need YOUR HELP! I am BEGGING for your assistance in helping us fight this fight - to reinstate these programs that are absolutely essential for children to thrive and progress to independence. Here is my request:

1. Pass this on to everyone you know. Ask them to help us fight for our children!

2. PLEASE, PLEASE come to a rally this Thursday, the 26th, at 11am, at the State Capitol. The Capitol is located at 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, 85007. If you can take off work or find someone to watch your child/children, please join us. We are desperate for the help of Arizona citizens to protect children in our state! We need numbers - HUGE numbers to show on Thursday!!!! I am absolutely begging you to come - whether you have an interest in this issue or not, please come and be a body at the Capitol. There is also a DES budget cut meeting (a public hearing) right after the rally, that you may attend - at 2pm. *please see below for details.

*If you cannot attend this Rally, there is another scheduled for March 4th at 4pm at the Capitol. Please attend one or both!!!!

3. If you have interest in this issue, please write a letter to our state legislators. The democratic party is on our side here, however the republicans are making these cuts. The following people are the most important to contact:

1. Governor Jan Brewer: 602.542.4331 or 1.800.253.0883. You may also follow this link to write to the Governor: http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp. Let her know you are concerned for the children in our state, ask her to accept the stimulus money and use it to reinstate children's services. (it can be one paragraph or a story, but please write!)
2. Russell Pearce (Republican Senator District 18): 602.926.5760, rpearce@azleg.gov. He is the one leading the Rep. side of the cuts. Let him know that this will be devastating to children statewide.
3. Al Melvin (Republican Senator District 26): 602.926.4326, amelvin@azleg.gov

3. If you would like to write a letter, but aren't sure about submitting online, you may email it to me. I will be attending a meeting on Thurs. (after the Rally) and would love to hand deliver any/all letters directly to the legislature.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer. And please come show support and be the voice for our CHILDREN!!!

Thanks so much in advance!

Melissa/Missy Babel
Building Blocks Pediatric Therapy, Inc.