WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Advocate for More Federal Funding to Avoid Massive Cuts to Services, Education, and IHSS
Because of a massive $54 billion budget deficit, California Governor Newsom's revised 2020-2021 budget includes drastic proposed cuts to developmental services and a 7% cut in hours for IHSS hours.
These terrible cuts can be avoided if the U.S. Congress passes the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Solutions (HEROES) Act. This bill passed the House of Representatives on May 15. It provides emergency funding relief to state and local governments, as well as additional funding for regional center services, Medi-Cal, housing programs, and hazard pay for direct service providers.
The U.S. Senate has not set a date to consider the HEROES Act, so we have to educate them about how important it is to our families. It is critical that we contact Senators to urge support for the bill and to assure that the needs of people with developmental disabilities are protected in any relief legislation.
Thankfully, our California Senators support the HEROES Act, but there are many Senators in other states who need to be educated. So, we must all reach out across the country to our family and friends who care about protecting people with disabilities from severe service cuts and who live in states with Republican Senators.
Do you have a family member or friend who might be willing to contact their Senator?
Would you be willing to ask them to urge their Senators to pass the HEROES Act?
We can show you how in this short video linked below or you can use the written explanation below it. |
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How to Contact Your Senators
- Visit the Senate's "Find a Senator" tool here: Find Your Senator.
- Choose your state. It will show the names of your Senators. Remember that most Republican Senators have yet to express their support for the HEROES Act.
- Under each name, it will have a “Contact” link. Click on that and it will bring you to the Senator’s page to send them a direct constituent email.
- Fill in the information (name, address, email)
- The subject line and the message of the email should be personalized. Having the exact same language from hundreds of people is not as effective as ONE personal message. The subject line should mention asking them for support for the HEROES Act.
- The message should:
- describe your connection to people with developmental disabilities, eg a family member, close friend, etc.
- explain why protecting their services is important to you
- emphasize that without the help to state and local governments provided by the HEROES Act, those vital services will be cut
You should receive a response from your Senator. |
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Gymnastics & Gross Motor
(online and in-person)
We are still scheduling 1:1 gym sessions over Telehealth along with Socially Distant In-Person gym sessions (in West LA only).
For virtual gross motor sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic. please reach out to Joclynn@leapsnboundz.com for information on how to schedule those visits at a reduced session cost.
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Water Safety and Instruction
Our Summer aquatics program is still accepting new interest, however lessons are currently on hold through this COVID-19 Pandemic! We offer classes Thursday, Friday and Saturday between Culver City and Santa Monica. If you wish to receive more information or be placed on our waitlist for when we re-open, please contact us at Info@leapsnboundz.com. Your name will be added to the waitlist and we will reach out prior to our re-open date to get you scheduled.
If you have access to backyard pool and may be interested 1:1 swim lessons throughout this closure, please let us know and we will work to accommodate a potential backyard session.
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Social Skills and peer-to-peer connection
Our social skills coaches work with students on concepts such as “expected and unexpected” behavior in a group, whole body listening, thinking with our eyes, building social memories, and perspective taking. We use teachable moments during the course of a session to spotlight these and other fundamental social cognitive concepts.
Group activities are age appropriate, fun and interactive. Students are carefully and thoughtfully matched with peers who will be working at a similar social level.
During the COVID-19 pandemic we have taken all our classes online and are offering virtual social skills sessions. Please reach out if you are interested in connecting with peers during this time and we will work to add you into our virtual sessions. You do not have to be part of our clinic based program in order to be a part of our virtual community. For more information, please contact us at info@leapsnboundz.com
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Tailored Services
The Leaps n Boundz Tailored Services program provides training and support, guiding individuals in the development of the skills necessary to achieve life goals. Program participants can explore employment options and volunteer placement, continue learning with post-secondary education support and connect with the community by leading an integrated and inclusive life.
We are still supporting our clients through the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about how to get started and to be placed on our wait list, please contact Rick@leapsnboundz.com
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