If you live in Colorado AND your family has been impacted by clinic closures, long waitlist, limited service available, or other barriers...
Now is the time to reach out to our legislators and make a difference.
There are many ways to reach out! You can call or email. Make sure you are brief; explain why you are emailing (Save ABA), why it is important to you, and how you have been impacted. Make sure you include a call to action.
What we are asking for:
Colorado is facing a crisis for Autism services. Low reimbursement rates have led to fewer providers in the state and this has dramatically increased wait times for critical services. We are asking the Joint Budget Committee to do an emergency rate increase for autism services at their September 2023 meeting.
The waitlist times have continued to increase in Colorado because there are too few providers, and providers are either leaving the state or going bankrupt. With nearly 20 centers being closed in the state, an estimated 920 fewer kids will be able to be served; this dramatically increases the waitlist times if something isn’t done.
Colorado is below the national average by between 9.15% and 9.85%, while we are above the national average for an hourly livable wage. The cost of doing business for providers has gone up nearly 30% in the last five years, while the amount they are reimbursed by Medicaid has gone up only 7%. This has driven providers to cut services, leave the state for other states with better profit margins, or go out of business.
ABA is most widely known as a medically necessary treatment for children with a diagnosis of Autism. The early ABA services a child receives reduce the support they need throughout their lifespan: special education, day treatment, residential placement, and support for independence. Without an emergency rate increase, more families and children with autism will be impacted, waitlists will get longer, and this problem will continue to grow.
Tips for Communicating with Elected Officials:
Communicating with your policymaker and/or their staff via email is safe, fast and convenient.
Below are some tips to help you send effective messages to policymakers, whether you are sending a formal business letter or a more informal email message:
Written Communication Sent by Email
In your correspondence, you can ask for support of the emergency rate increase in September. Your correspondence must be as simple and clear as possible. In general, always follow these guidelines to make your letter more effective:
- Keep it short and to the point.
- Be positive. Policymakers, like most of us, respond best to praise, not criticism.
- Tell them you how you need their help and appreciate their leadership on this critical issue facing Colorado families.
- Establish yourself as a resource. You are an expert in your field and can offer to provide additional information regarding the field, the issue, and the impact of the proposed legislation.
- Use facts. Utilize facts in your letter that support your points. Explain what will happen and the benefits if the policymaker supports your view; on the contrary, explain what will happen if they do not support your view, and what the consequences will be.
- Explain the personal narratives behind why you are asking for their support.
- Write confidently about your experiences and expertise.
- Are you a parent, family member or provider?
- What would it mean for you and your family?
- Have you seen the impact, positively or negatively, first-hand?
- Thank them for their time and attention. Mention that you are looking forward to having their support.
Joint Budget Committee Contact information:
State Sen. Rachel Zenzinger D District 19, Chair
senatorrachelz@gmail.com
303-866-4840
State Sen. Jeff Bridges D District 26
jeff@bridgesforcolorado.com
303-866-4846
State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer R District 23
senkirkmeyer@gmail.com
303-866-4876
State Rep. Shannon Bird D District 29, Vice Chair
repbird35@gmail.com
repbirdaide@gmail.com
303-866-2843
State Rep. Rod Bockenfeld R District 56
rod.bockenfeld.house@state.co.us
Rod@Bockenfeld.com
303-866-2912
State Rep. Emily Sirota D District 9
emily.sirota.house@state.co.us
303-866-2910