Arc attachments

[Guest guest]

Here are the attachments from Tony...

Ellen

LEGISLATIVE VISIT SCRIPT

INTRODUCTION

a.. Tell them who you are - an advocate on behalf of the LIFE campaign to help

Fund Critical Services for People with Disabilities; A parent of, or person

with, a developmental disability; and an advocate for community-based services.

a.. Give details about your " personal story " - how has your/ your family

members disability impacted your life; why do you care about community services,

and how did you got involved in advocacy? Leave them with a picture in their

minds.

a.. Let them know who LIFE is-. The LIFE campaign supports the funding of

individualized, comprehensive and integrated community based services for

persons with disabilities. The LIFE campaign is part of the The Arc of Illinois

that represents 220,000 infants, children and adults with intellectual and

developmental disabilities and their families.

PURPOSE OF VISIT

a.. You are here in response to Governor Quinn's proposed budget. There are

$76.3 million in cuts slated for community developmentally disability services.

The cuts will eliminate critical programs, such as: Family Assistance Program,

UIC Family Clinic, UIC Assistive Technology Unit, all Epilepsy grants, all

Dental grants, SIU Telemed grants, and all Respite grants. Explain how these

cuts will impact you.

a.. There are over 21,000 adults and children waiting for services in the PUNS

database

b.. Illinois will be turning away $31.5 million dollars in the 50% federal

match

(please share fact sheet w/ Legislator)

ASK

" Are you willing to be our advocate in Springfield and reject a budget that cuts

community based disability services? Will you work on our behalf to restore our

funding? Our community needs your leadership on this issue. "

(take good notes on Lobby Report Card)

THANK YOU

a.. Leave your contact information for the Representative/ Senator, along with

the LIFE Budget Fact Sheet

b.. Return your legislative report card to life@..., fax to

312-277-7477 or mail to Morreale Public Affairs Group 8770 West Bryn Mawr Ave.,

Suite 1300 Chicago, Il 60631.

SAMPLE EMAIL & PHONE SCRIPT

Below is a sample of an email that can be sent to schedule a visit with your

legislator.

EMAIL

Dear (scheduler's name) or Legislator,

My name is (insert name here) and I am member of the LIFE Coalition and a

constituent in (insert legislator's name)'s district. I would like to schedule a

visit with (insert Legislator's name) on (insert date here) to discuss how the

Governor's proposed 2012 budget would impact community based disability services

in his/her district. I would like to come into his/her office the week of April

18th. I look forward to hearing

from you.

Sincerely,

(Your name here)

Wait one business day and follow up your email with a phone call.

PHONE SCRIPT

Below is a call script that can be used when you call your legislator's office.

YOU: " Hi my name is _____ , I am a constituent and I would like to schedule a

visit with (legislator's name) to discuss the Governor's proposed 2012 budget

and how it will impact community disability services. "

Scheduler: " Okay, what date were you looking at? "

YOU: " I am looking at something the week of April 18th, I can be flexible on the

day depending on the legislator's schedule. "

Scheduler: " The legislator is very busy but let's schedules a visit on (insert

date

here). "

YOU: " Thank you for your time. I am looking forward to it. If you need to

reach me you can contact me at (insert your phone number here) or (insert

your email here). "

Legislator Meeting Report Card

Your Name______________________________________________________________

Your Organization________________________________________________________

Legislator Name__________________________________________________________

Did you get to meet in person? YES NO

If NO, did you leave behind information? YES NO

If YES, were they supportive of your issue? YES NO UNDECIDED

If YES, did they agree to vote against a YES NO UNDECIDED

budget that cuts community based disability services?

COMMENTS:

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Please return all report cards to Arnold:

Email - life@... / Fax - 312.277-7477 / Mail- Morreale Public

Affairs Group 8770 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1300 Chicago, Il 60631.

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...