President Obama has requested an additional $50 million that will fund crucial programs for young children with disabilities.

Dear Friend,

Every year, millions of children with disabilities are falling through the cracks – children living with completely treatable developmental delays who may never receive proper treatment.

It doesn't have to be this way. A child living with autism, for example, can gain the skills necessary to be successful and live an independent life if he is diagnosed and treated early in life.

As part of the ongoing budget talks, President Obama has requested an additional $50 million that will fund crucial programs for young children with disabilities. But this money can still be removed from the budget if we don't speak up now.

Act now to support President Obama's efforts to make children with disabilities a top priority.

This funding is extremely important for our country's young children. For a two-year-old with a developmental disability, early detection and treatment can mean the difference between starting school with children the same age – her friends, neighbors and playmates – and falling behind.

That's why we're launching a campaign called Make the First Five Count – to increase resources for early detection and treatment for children with disabilities. The first step towards achieving this goal is for all of us to speak in support of the Administration's proposed budget.

The proposed $50 million increase in funding for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would help pay for early detection and treatment services that are chronically underfunded and would dramatically improve the lives of children living with disabilities – and of the families that care for them.

As the largest provider of inclusive childcare for children with and without disabilities, we see the value of early diagnosis and treatment every day. You and I already know how important this funding is; let's make sure our elected leaders do, too.

Send President Obama a letter today – to thank him for his leadership and to urge the White House to do everything they can to keep this vital funding in the budget.

We can tell him – and all our elected leaders – that young children should continue to be the top priority on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and across the country.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Katy Beh Neas
Vice President, Government Affairs