Easter Seals Disability Services

Dear Supporters of Easter Seals and The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP):
 
Easter Seals and TAP needs your help!  The current fiscal crisis facing state government in Illinois is threatening to undo everything the TAP Service Network including Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington has accomplished in the last five years, including:

• Development of the largest statewide network in the nation for diagnosis, treatment and resources for individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Partnership with 30 community agency and university centers via the TAP Service Network.
• Impacting more that 16,000 families through diagnosis, treatment, training and outreach programs. 
• Creation of curriculum and implementation of training for more than 19,000 caregivers, service providers, first responders, educators and childcare providers.
• Provision of more than 21,000 clinical contacts from FY2006 to present. 

Illinois legislators have repeatedly identified the TAP Service Network as an important priority in the state budget.  However, we've been told that funding for the TAP Service Network faces the possibility of total elimination if the program is not once again shown to be a priority by members of the General Assembly.  If TAP is not seen as a priority, the largest statewide autism services network in the nation would simply cease to exist.
 
What does the elimination of TAP funding mean?

• Services funded and provided in 12 regional centers through the TAP Network would be forced to end—this includes TAP funded services at Easter Seals centers in Peoria and Bloomington.
• Screening, diagnosis, social skills groups and therapy sessions funded by TAP would cease.
• Training provided through the TAP Service Network for parents, educators, healthcare providers,  physicians, childcare providers and first responders would end.  
• 26,000 children with ASD in Illinois and their families would have to find alternatives, likely out of state and hours away from home, for treatment, diagnosis and services. 

Easter Seals and TAP needs your support to assure that funding is preserved.  Please contact your State Representative and State Senator TODAY.  Click here for a list of local legislators and their contact information in Springfield and in district, or click here for online assistance in locating your legislators.

Please email, call or write today: it is simple, easy and takes just a few minutes—will you do that for the children and families desperate for services?

Your message is simple:  Providing needed services for more than 26,000 Illinois children with autism is an important and critical core function of state government.  Funding for The Autism Program (TAP) Service Network must be a top priority for the legislature.  Members must once again make their voices heard to assure that The Autism Program is identified as a top priority.
 
After you have contacted your legislators, please share your results send a quick email to Jim Runyon at jrunyon@ci.easterseals.com, and let us know which legislators you contacted.
 
By supporting TAP Service Network funding and Easter Seals, you are helping to support other families who need support in overcoming the challenges and appreciating the achievements associated with autism. 

Thank you for your help!

Steven R. Thompson
President and CEO
Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington