Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives released the second economic stimulus package on January 15, 2009. According to the Disability Scoop, "The plan, which features $550 billion in spending on domestic programs and $275 billion in tax cuts, would provide funds for healthcare, education and employment programs aimed at people with disabilities."
Before being approved the proposal must be voted on by the House and Senate. If approved, it could reach President Obama by mid-February.
How does this affect you and your ADHD/LD child? In a few ways....
- Funding for IDEA: $13 billion to states to fund the cost of special education for the 6.8 million students with disabilities. And, $600 million for early intervention services for young children.
- Teacher Quality: $200 million to provide incentives for educators.
- National Institutes of Health: $1.5 billion for biomedical research.
So, the next time you hear a newscaster mention the proposed stimulus package, you may want to stop what you're doing and listen up. If passed, it could be great news for our ADHD/LD children.
Information taken from Disability Scoop.
As a mom of a child with ADHD, ODD, and OCD ~ I'm all for helping our children. However, the entire package has to weighed upon greatly as to what is attached to this stimulus package that will not help our nation or our children in the long run. We need to make sure that we have our facts about each package that is proposed and view the good & bad as a whole to see what is the best course for the nation, not just for us. I distrust the government (dems or reps), because we do not have term limits, so that allows the for way too much dishonesty and personal greed to take place. We cannot think with our emotions but with what is best.
ReplyDeleteAs Director of 3D Learner (www.3dlearner.com), an educational practice that helps kids with Dyslexia, ADHD and Learning Disabilities -- I see this package as a giant step forward in funding -- but there are two major concerns
ReplyDelete1- The House Bill requires states to be funding Education at the 2006 level to receive money from this bill -- others say this will punish states like Florida and Michigan -- I say amen -- we do not want to have Legislatures use the money to do what they have always done and then spend less of the states money on education
2- The amount of the increase is staggering -- and we need to make sure the money goes to key projects, innovation and not to just more of the same