Julie Hall Helps Recognize Legislative Support for Birth to Three Funding

As one of the co-chairs of the Legislative-Fiscal subcommittee of the State Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), our very own Julie Hall, Deputy Program Officer of Children & Family Services, had the honor of presenting Certificates of Appreciation to Representatives Comey, Welander, and Leeper at the June 15 ICC meeting. Unfortunately, Representatives Walker, Farrar, Gilchrest, and Exum, and Senator Osten were unable to join the ceremony. Their awards were delivered to their respective legislative offices following the ceremony.

Additionally, the group recognized Governor Lamont’s commitment to additional funding for the Birth to Three system in the budget amendment and delivered an award to his office, where he came out to meet the group. He heard from Cindy Jackson, ICC Chair, and Julie Hall and spoke with two parent representatives from the ICC, Robb Dunn and Lisa Opert, about the impact of Birth to Three on their families.

The intent of the awards was to acknowledge the legislators’ leadership and advocacy efforts in helping garner additional funding for the Birth to Three system while simultaneously not adding additional training burdens. While the system did not receive all the funding needed, it was a great start. The additional funding will be allocated to rate increases that will ultimately support infants and toddlers with delays and/or disabilities. Making this kind of change requires collaboration among groups such as the ICC, public citizens, agencies, and legislators.