The State of Wisconsin’s Joint Finance Committee, the legislature’s budget-writing committee, will vote on the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Health Services budgets this week.
We have been working with state lawmakers to increase funding for Special Olympics Wisconsin in the Department of Public Instruction budget to $500,000 per year, and receive new funding in the Department of Health Services budget of $1 million per year.
Here is how you can help!:
We have provided a template email for you to send to your elected officials! Just follow the steps below.
Step 1: Go to find my elected officials: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/
Step 2: Enter in your home address under “Who Are My Legislators” on the right side of the page.
Step 3: Your legislators’ contact information will appear, click or copy and paste their email addresses into a new email.
Don’t forget to edit the highlighted areas with your information. And feel free to customize as you see fit.
Email Template for you to Customize:
Dear : (YOUR LEGISLATOR’S NAME)
I am a _(athlete, volunteer, board member)_ with Special Olympics Wisconsin that lives in your district!
I am reaching out to ask for your support of two state budget motions authored by Senator Jesse James and Representative Cindi Duchow to help Special Olympics Wisconsin expand its education and health programming.
DPI Motion – increase funding for Special Olympics Wisconsin from $100,000 to $500,000 per year to support mission-based programs, such as Unified Champion Schools and athlete leadership. The Unified Champion Schools program helps reduce bullying in schools. The Athlete Leadership program increases confidence, prepares athletes for jobs and to live on their own, increases athlete’s decision-making ability, and improves friendships and family relationships.
DHS Motion – provide $1 million per year for Special Olympics Wisconsin to expand and improve healthy athletes programming, which includes free health screenings across eight disciplines. By building a network of care and increasing access, we can improve the health of athletes and get them access to care with trained providers who know how to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Based on a recent study by the Waisman Center, SOWI athletes cost Medicaid three times less than their non-athlete counterparts.
Please support both of these budget initiatives, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
YOUR FULL NAME
EMAIL
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
Thank you for your continued support!
