The Michigan Developmental DIsabilities Institute is asking all of their supporters to LEND their voices to the cause of keeping national LEND programs funded. As you all may have heard, the FY 2018 budget requested by President Trump would eliminate ALL funding for HRSA Autism CARES Act programs - which includes LEND programs. There is a national movement to educate our various men and women serving in congress to support the need for these programs so that persons with disabilities continue to receive the appropriate, needed, and informed care that programs such as LEND provide.

We are asking you, as someone that has been a contributing member of the MI-LEND program this past year, to take a few minutes to support this effort. There are a few ways in which you can do this - they are outlined below.

1. The attached document outlines the current LEND program funding, the proposed cuts, and some background information and talking points. There is also a "Take Action" section which has a link to the AUCD's Take Action page. The link will bring you to a page that walks you through how to identify your representatives in congress and then talking points you may use to call them.
2. You may also send a pre-populated email message to your reps. To do this:
   1. Go to http://cqrcengage.com/aucd/congressionaldirectory and type in your home zip code. (See the attached photo "Find my Rep 1")
   2. After you type in your zip and identify your reps, click on the link in the list named "Prevent Massive Cuts to Disability Programs" (See the attached photo "Find my Rep 2")
   3. Then you will be brought to the email page. There are pre-populated emails already written. You may add anything you like to the body of these emails and we encourage you to offer that you are familiar to the LEND program in Michigan. (See the attached photo "Find my Rep 3)
   4. Finally, please be sure to scroll down and COMPLETELY fill out the Sender Information section. If it is not completely filled in, the emails will not be sent. (See the attached photo "Find my Rep 4)

This ask is time sensitive. We are asking that you try to do one of the above actions ASAP - by the end of the day Tuesday (06/13) if possible. We very much appreciate your help and voice and hope that this also represents an opportunity to act on behalf of all LEND trainees and faculty across the country!

Thank you!

View AUCD's Autism CARES Act Funding Alert- June 12, 2017

View AUCD's Disability Funding Alert- June 13, 2017