Recently Sen. Lyle Hillyard met with several Utah families at the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) to observe their stories and offer counsel on how to get their voices heard by state legislators.  

 

Many of these families are lobbying for increased funding to the center, so that it may better accommodate the growing number of eligible applicants. It is anticipated that during the 2005-06 year, the program will experience at least a 10 percent increase in participants. This escalation in the number of qualifying applicants is believed to be the result of population growth and increased outreach efforts. Despite this increase, the program has not seen any rise in funding over the past three years.   

 

The Federal Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) gives states the opportunity to receive federal funds to help support a system of various early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, and also to their families. 

 

Sen. Hillyard, chair of the Utah Executive Appropriations Committee, expressed a deep commitment to early intervention programs, and spent some time explaining how state appropriations are made, anticipating that the families in attendance might better understand how to get their issues addressed in the legislature.

 

The Utah Department of Health contracts with the Up-to-3 program at the CPD, along with 15 other programs that provide services throughout the state. These services include: evaluation, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and special instruction. 

 

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