Save Services
Effective July 1, early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities including autism may be severely reduced.
For over a year, the departments of Education and Health and Human Services have met with stakeholders to try to correct a poorly designed regulatory change to early intervention services. In September, the Legislature pressured the departments to stay the eligibility criteria for children and maintain service rates until June 30, during which time they were supposed to address the unresolved issues. Sadly, that work did not happen.
As of today, on July 1 this is what will occur across Maine:
? 2,000 plus preschool children with special needs will lose access to the essential early intervention services they need to overcome the challenges of autism, developmental delay, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
? Hundreds of skilled and dedicated teachers, teaching assistants and educational technicians will lose their jobs.
? Dozens of high quality early intervention programs will close.
? Maine will be in violation of federally mandated special education laws.
Two weeks ago the Health and Human Service commissioner proposed a plan to address this looming crisis. It is reasonable and thoughtful. It cannot succeed without the support of the Education Department which has not yet determined its response.
While we recognize the extent of budget issues, we believe we must all stand up for those vulnerable children and families and speak for them and the services on which they rely. The Legislature must not ignore these significant needs. ?Time is running out for the children and their programs.
Mary Lou Dyer
managing director?Maine Association for Community Service Providers
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Our neighbors need us
Mainers, America needs your help. A record-breaking spring storm season has decimated entire towns and devastated countless lives. The American Red Cross has launched 29 separate relief operations in 22 states since March 31. Wildfires in Texas, flooding along swollen rivers and the seemingly constant rash of angry tornadoes have led to the deployment of over 9,100 American Red Cross volunteers from all 50 states ? including over 20 volunteers and counting from Maine ? to help those in need.
Whether it is the tsunami in Japan or the earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross aids anyone around the world who needs it. The devastation brought by the most recent spring storms has occurred right in our backyard and the response will cost the American Red Cross an estimated $41 million.
As we know, Mainers are not immune to disaster. Floods in Fort Kent, tornados and ice storms across the state, and fires on a daily basis have impacted the lives of countless Mainers, and you continue to demonstrate your willingness to help a neighbor in need. Our neighbors need your helping hand once again.
Since the beginning of April, the American Red Cross has served more than 2.1 million meals and snacks, and distributed over 1.1 million items like tarps and work gloves to help people in need as a result of the spring storms. There is more to be done.
Mainers, America needs you now. ?Please support disaster relief and your American Red Cross. To learn more, go to maineredcross.org or call 941-2903.
Dave Thompson
CEO, Maine Red Cross
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Problem solved
This is an adaption of someone else?s idea. The state Department of Transportation could lease out the rest areas on I-95 to businesses in return for agreeing to heat the facility, mow the lawns, clean the toilets and clear the snow.
Problem solved!
Brian Hanson
St. Albans
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Gas price causes
In spite of this month?s falling prices, the cost of gas remains a huge concern to people in Maine. I am concerned about working people?s ability to afford fuel, so I investigated why oil is so high and how people spent their money when buying a car for a school project.
I found that oil prices are high because of three main reasons. First is fighting in the Middle East and the civil war in Libya, but those countries only supply 3 percent of the world?s oil so it is not the biggest effect. Second is the decrease in value of the American dollar; it is down 18 percent while oil is up 140 percent. Third is that investors in the stock market keep driving the cost of oil up.
These trends are impacting the hard working people in Eastern Maine struggling to afford necessities. A car dealership in Ellsworth used to sell 100 cars per month, now it struggles to sell 65 cars a month. Customers are keeping cars longer, so the car dealership now relies on repairs to keep their business running.
Some solutions for saving are to car-pool, drive the speed limit and properly inflate tires. The best way to conserve on gas is to buy a more fuel efficient car. This is not the solution for those of who rely on a truck or can afford a newer fuel efficient car.
Until the bigger issues around Middle Eastern oil are solved, we in eastern Maine are going to have to pinch pennies to afford basic transportation.
Jason McMillan
Lamoine
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Graduation realities
With the recent high school and college graduations I have made some personal ?observations. I am a retired surgeon whose son recently completed an MBA degree and is in the process of a job search. This has given me an eye into the job market.
Our guidance counselors have a lot of work ahead of them. You talk to most high school and college students and they think they can ?retire on Social Security; that?s $1,500-$2,500 a month to cover house and car insurance, utilities, car and house up-keep plus food.
The fact is you can?t live off Social Security. High school students need to accept this stark reality. They must be taught to save money and cut up their credit cards. We need elementary economics is high school ?to prepare us for real life.
Also, learning from my son?s job search, if you want a guaranteed job study accounting, and any sort of engineering. That is where all the jobs are. The pseudo sciences of sociology, psychology and women studies will hit a blank wall when looking for a job after receiving a undergraduate degree.
Guidance councilors are doing a poor job of steering students to where the jobs are. They also should consider urging more to consider trade schools.
Joseph deNatale
Pittsfield
Source: http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/05/30/opinion/may-31-2011-save-services-gas-price-causes/
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