As the budget enters a crucial final phase, we need your help NOW to secure state funding for the MDSC's essential programs that serve and benefit your loved ones with Down syndrome. We are simply asking that the state's Conference Committee renews its support of the MDSC through a $100,000 appropriation in Line Item 5911-1003. This funding was provided for the first time last year.

 

Wherever you live, we hope you will act, but this is especially critical if you are a constituent of one of the 8 Conference Committee members. See below for complete information.

 

If you live in any of the following communities, please call your legislator to firmly but politely request their support of people with Down syndrome. (See below for a sample script).

Ashburnham, Athol, Barre, Brookfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Paxton, Petersham, Phillipston, Rutland, Spencer, Sturbridge, Templeton, Warren, West Brookfield, Winchendon, Brimfield, Holland, Monson, Palmer, Wales, Ware, and Ashby

Contact Senator Stephen Brewer (Co-Chairman of Conference Committee)

617-722-1540

Stephen.Brewer@masenate.gov

 

Haverhill: Ward 1, Ward 2, Precinct 3, Ward 3, and Ward 4: Precincts 1, 2, Ward 5, Precincts 1, 3, and Ward 6.

Contact Representative Brian Dempsey (Co-Chairman of Conference Committee)

617-722-2990

Brian.Dempsey@mahouse.gov

 

 

 

 

 

Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield Agawam, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, Easthampton and Southampton.

Contact Senator Michael Knapik

617-722-1415

Michael.Knapik@masenate.gov

 

 

  

Gloucester, Boxford, Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Newbury, North Andover, Rockport, Rowley, Wenham, West Newbury, North Reading and Wilmington.

Contact Senator Bruce Tarr

617-722-1600

Bruce.Tarr@masenate.gov

 

 

 

Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Sterling, Westminster, and Townsend.

Contact Senator Jennifer Flanagan

617-722-1230

Jennifer.Flanagan@masenate.gov

 

 

 

 

 

Plymouth

Contact Representative Viriato (Vinny) deMacedo

617-722-2100

Vinny.deMacedo@mahouse.gov

 

 

 

 

North Reading, Reading, Lynnfield, and Middleton

Contact Representative Bradley Jones

617-722-2100

Bradley.Jones@mahouse.gov

 

 

 

Ashfield, Buckland, Conway, Deerfield, Leverett, Montague, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Whately, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Williamsburg, and Worthington.

Contact Representative Stephen Kulik

617-722-2380

Stephen.Kulik@mahouse.gov

 

If your state lawmaker is on the Conference Committee, please call him/her and ask for their support of the people with Down syndrome. If you cannot call or are not comfortable calling, you may email instead. 

 

Here is a sample script. This can be adapted if your legislator is not on the Conference Committee (See below for details). 

 

Dear Representative/Senator _________,

 

As your constituent, I am calling to ask you to support the House version of Line Item 5911-1003. The House version includes crucial funding for the Mass. Down Syndrome Congress, the state's premiere resource for Down syndrome information, advocacy and networking.

 

As a family member who has a loved one with Down syndrome, this is very important to me and my family. It is just $100,000 of state funding, but it will go a long way toward providing critical programs and services for over 5,000 people living with Down syndrome in Massachusetts.

 

This funding will directly pay for programs and services that provide hope to new and expectant parents, training to medical professionals and students, best practices to educators, meaningful opportunities for teens and adults, and a strong voice in the halls of Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill.

 

I hope that you will support the House version of Line Item 5911-1003. Please let me know if you will do so.

 

Thank you!

 

Your Name 

Your Address and Phone

 

You may want to use these additional 'talking points' if you choose. But remember that your personal story and connection to MDSC is always the best way present your case.

• The Parents' First Call Program is a nationally recognized service that links new or expectant parents with First Call Parent mentors that provide information and support to over 100 new parents each year. 
• The MDSC is not asking for any additional money - we are simply asking that the $100,000 appropriation for MDSC in Line Item: 5911-1003 remain in next year's budget. 
• The MDSC is the preeminent organization in the state for information, advocacy, and networking for people with Down syndrome and their families and we serve over 3,500 people with Down syndrome and their families each year. 
• The MDSC's annual conference is the largest statewide conference on Down syndrome in the country, attracting more than 600 attendees including families, teachers, therapists and self-advocates to hear from national health and education experts. 
• The annual educators' conference brings together teachers from throughout Massachusetts to share best practices about inclusion in the classroom for students with Down syndrome.

  

Even if your legislator is not on the Conference Committee, you can still have an impact! 

 

1. Go here for get contact information for your Senator and Representative. 
2. Call your Senator and Representative and use the same template and talking points as above with the only variation: Ask your legislator to back the House version of Line Item 5911-1003 by putting their support in writing to the Conference Committee. 
3. Finally, we hope that you will also support adequate funding for broad disability line-items that affect tens of thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome. You can use this Action Alert from our partner, The Arc of Massachusetts, which will automatically identify your legislators and send them an email.  

These are the versions of the budget line-items that The Arc and the MDSC are supporting: 

 

* Turning 22 - Prefer Senate Version 

* Residential Services - Prefer Senate

* Autism Waiver - Prefer Senate language

* Salary Reserve - Prefer Senate

* Transportation - Prefer House

* Employment/Day - Prefer House

 

Sincerely,