Missouri First Steps Petition

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    n/a
  • Send To:
    Governor Matt Blunt
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This petition asks you to reconsider your plan to eliminate Missouris First Steps Program.

The Missouri First Steps Program offers early intervention to children between the ages of birth and three-years-old. This time period is a critical window of opportunity for therapy services as research has shown over and over again that early intervention is the most effective, and least expensive.

This programs efforts are not duplicated under any other agencies or organizations. Private insurance does not cover these needed therapies. Unless parents have the financial resources to pay for the services, children with delays, autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, blindness or hearing impairment will have to wait until they are three years old to begin receiving help.

Eliminating this program will rob our states youngest population of their chance to achieve their potential, while at the same time delivering to our public schools children requiring more services then the schools will have resources to help.

Please help save the thousands of children and their families who desperately need this program.

Please save the Missouri taxpayers from a short-term budget cut that will create an overwhelming long-term financial drain on our public schools.

Please save the Missouri First Steps Program.

44985 Signatures

  • Arie Perry
    • Comments
    • We have a 12 yo son with autism
  • Vicki Merrill
    • Comments
    • Please revisit what this program does to improve lives and save taxpayer dollars!
  • Mary D'Angelo
  • Laura Alehult
    • Comments
    • This is a necessary program that will save Missouri money in the long run.
  • Carl Magnus Alehult
    • Comments
    • Please reconsider your decision as this program is necessary for Missouri kids.
  • Shannon Lamb
    • Comments
    • These programs are very important to MO families.
  • Marie Colleen Reichert
    • Comments
    • First Steps is the ONLY program to TREAT infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities.
  • ERIN M RODRIGUEZ
    • Comments
    • please don't get rid of that EXCELLENT program
  • Linda Beck
  • Cindy Bird
  • Tanya Craft
    • Comments
    • please do not cut first steps
  • Donald Craft
    • Comments
    • please do not cut this program
  • Malinda Terreri
    • Comments
    • The Missour First Steps Program changed my son's life and helped him so he will be able to go to a general education kindergarten. Please keep this program... and add more money to it.
  • Kelly Fogle
  • Judith Combs
  • Karen Poole
  • Vicki Henak
  • Charlene Buckley
  • stephanie oneal
  • Lisa Toth
  • doris fischer
    • Comments
    • We need First Steps Program
  • Mike and Amy Grzesiowski
  • KIM POLLITT
    • Comments
    • MOM TO MICHAEL AGE 4 PDD/NOS
  • Lynn M. Williams
  • Julie Finley
    • Comments
    • I can't believe you are even considering this. These programs are essential to the children who need them most.
  • Jeanne Staley
  • Gerald J. Bennett
    • Comments
    • Eliminate wasteful spending like the innagration parade and parties, not needed children services!
  • Christopher and Michelle Neely
    • Comments
    • We have two daughters with autism who benefitted tremendously from First Steps. It's services are NOT redundant.
  • Patricia A. Schuler
  • Melisa Link
    • Comments
    • First Step is a very important program!
  • Tabitha & Paul Dreher
    • Comments
    • Parents of Benjamin (4.5 yrs, Autism), Harrison (2.5 yrs, Autism) and Christian (13 months, Autism)
  • Mara Simpson
    • Comments
    • Recently I worked in the early childhood department for the rockwood school district providing developmental screenings. Part of my job was to transition children from first steps to our program at the age of three. It was incredible how far these children progressed in speech, language, social every aspect of development because they had early intervention. Please don't take this away from these children and families. It is the best way to help a child succeed early on in life and especially once they reach elementary grades.
  • Carol Woehrle
  • Erik Woehrle
  • Karyn Venverloh
    • Comments
    • this program has helped so many kids in need, please keep it going.
  • Amy Benner LaBelle
  • Angela Waldsmith
    • Comments
    • Ballwin, MO Parent of a 4 year old who was greatly helped by First Steps, not at all by insurance or Parents as Teachers!!!!
  • Lynda Zimmerman Cordry
  • Dr. Judith A Woehrle
    • Comments
    • Qualified individuals within the first steps program were the first to examine and determine that my grandson was autistic. His physician did not recognize the problem! Nick was 2 1/2 years old when he was examined by first steps. If you had a child with a disability, perhaps you would understand.
  • Christine Jaeger
    • Comments
    • Please reconsider your thought on removing the First Steps Program, it is just one piece of the puzzle which helps our children. Private Insurance does not pay . These services are essential in the development of all of our children with disablities.
  • Anne Roux
  • Linda Nuetzel
  • Julie Mathews
  • Maureen Schaefer
  • Heather Cardinale
    • Comments
    • It is a fact that Autism affects more and more Missouri children each year. Early intervention is necessary. Please don't cut this funding.
  • Karen S. McKenzie
    • Comments
    • I cannot even begin to imagine where our son who is now fully included in middle school (A average) would be today without this program. Early intervention to severely language impaired children with autism is critical to their future success and future savings to the state. I can't think of any better spent tax dollars that have resulted in such significant tax savings to the state.
  • Melanie Bloom
  • Mr. Richard C. Homire
  • Sharon E. Wilkes
    • Comments
    • Govenor Blunt , Please don't let one of your first acts in office be something that hurts Missouri's children
  • Jessica Blanchette