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| Lekotek State Funding Update & Next Steps |
| Brief History |
| Lekotek has served Illinois children with disabilities and their families for the past 30 years. In 1985, Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services first funded the National Lekotek to develop Lekotek centers throughout the State of Illinois and since then over 18 centers were established. |
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| Current Location of Lekotek Sites: |
| Alton |
Chicago Heights |
Lombard |
Rockford |
Springfield |
| Carbondale |
Franklin Park |
Ottawa |
Rolling Meadows |
Sterling |
| Chicago (2) |
Hazel Crest |
Peoria |
Skokie |
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Lekotek’s Position in the State Budget: |
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- Department of Human Services, Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
- Lekotek had a line item appropriation for $650,000 that was eliminated
Not only does the funding allocation serve more 1200 children and families directly, but Lekotek programs support schools, professionals, early intervention, and recreational programs – impacting over 5000 families per year. In short, a little funding goes a long way for a vulnerable and overlooked population
Illinois state funding for Lekotek has been eliminated from the Governor's FY10 budget. Lekotek's funding has been reduced from $600,000 to zero. A decision that has affected Lekotek's 14 centers that support over 5,250 families in schools, early intervention, early childhood and recreational programs and over 1200 children served in their centers statewide. With this budget cut, most of the services to the children and families will be closed or will have to dramatically reduce the services they provide. |
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| Why is Illinois State Funding Important to Lekotek important? |
- Supports 14 sites that provide a foundation for children with disabilities to learn new skills and enjoy play – important part of childhood.
- Our programs maximize the development and future independence of children with disabilities or are at-risk of developing disabilities by focusing on what a child can do rather than what a child cannot do.
- In some cases, we provide the only service that children with disabilities receive.
- Our sites also provide support to schools, early childhood, and early intervention programs for children to succeed in school and life.
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The National Lekotek Center and its affiliates need your help! |
| Thank you for your support. Please be sure to ask your friends, colleagues, and family to join us in this effort. Lekotek services mean the world to families with children with disabilities. For any questions please contact Dan Lyonsmith, Anixter Center Grassroots Coordinator at dlyonsmith@lekotek.org or lekotek@lekotek.org |
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| Call your State Legislators and the Govenor NOW and tell them OUR FAMILIES NEED THEIR SUPPORT! |
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Send a personal letter to the Govenor: Simply use our downloadable template |
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Campaign for Illinois’ Future
The Campaign for Illinois’ Future is a growing coalition of community organizations, advocacy groups, labor unions and working families representing over 250,000 Illinois citizens.
For more information go to:
www.campaignforillinoisfuture.org
Information about the impact of budget cuts, talking points, and other helpful information:
http://voices4kids.org/getinvolved/callforkids.html |
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