I at first was so nervous about the mediation that I did not want to go. However, after Dad talked to me and first meeting Mark (who is in charge of the mediators and a close friend of my dad) I got over it. So it turned out that they came to an agreement, that the mom was really funny and I enjoyed it. The main issue was having a one to one paraprofessional but there were two other issues which are one the IEP paperwork and two making a behavior plan.
Julia and I met with Tom Sannicandro, Ann Guay, Senator Barnett, Courtney, the Middlesex Dean and two staffers to talk about Middlesex being a part of the ICE program.
Today I was asked what I understood about the steps you have to take to get money for ICE in the budget. Here’s my response:
The first step (which is also really easy) is talking to the Senators and the Representatives themselves to make sure that they are on our side. You could say that the other first step is to make sponsors for our bill. Then the next step is to talk with the most important committee which is the Ways and Means committee who are in charge of the money. Then the next step is to contact any one you know who could be helpful by calling up their own Senator and Rep. The last step is to just wait to find out the answer of the outcome. The Representatives vote first and now it is the Senators time. I went to the State House all by myself for the first time and then Julia, Lisa (a staff member of the senate president) and I meet to talk about ICE. Then Julia got me to meet two staff of my own Senator (who is Senator Creem) which we also talked about ICE, which is my highlight of the day.
Today I went to the 2013 School Law Conference, got to know people and heard my dad speak.
With Julia's help, I’ve been working on this letter to ask people to support ICE. Here’s how its shaping up:
Mass Bay As you might know is that I, Ben and others with disabilities are at Mass Bay. Why we went here is that Mass Bay has a program called ICE which stands for Inclusive Concurrent Enrolment. That program is what is keeping me and others with disabilities in Mass Bay. In fact, I, Ben, Nolan and others are active with other things than just class which is clubs and sports. So when I first got into Mass Bay, I also still went to my high school Newton North for life skills, the MCAS and for two volunteer jobs since ICE has a partnership with our high schools. The State House as you know has Senators and Reps both have to pass the budget bill that decides how much money to give to ICE and other things. Well the Reps already passed the budget bill, so the Senators are still going over it. This is where you guys come in, since you can call or e-mail your own Senators to make him or her sure of passing the budget bill for more money for ICE. It will even be helpful if you tell them your own personal story, since I want this bill to get more money. The amount of money we need is $960,00. This is the website that will you find your Senator http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx Now the ICE program and funding were used to develop Mass Bay’s program that let me go to college here and now it is starting up with other colleges and I am working at MAC- which stands for Mass Advocates for Children which is another group which also helping with the program and others. Can I count on you to call or e-mail your Senator to ask for full funding of ICE in the state budget? Do you need me to help you find out who your Senator is? Thank you I went to the State House to meet Senator Rosenberg and his chief of staff named Rosie to talk about ICE.
Last night Catherine, Mike and I went to a training in East Boston and I learned their religion which is Muslim. Today I got debriefed with Julia for the State House meeting. Then I did the data base, which I did 10 names and later on 5 more. Then I went to the staff meeting which we talking about cyber bulling and our new website. Then I with Julia and Tina went to the State House meeting for the Ways and Means committee.
I debriefed with Julia for a meeting with State Rep Kay Khan. Then I had a meeting with Maria to brainstorm how to make a power point of an upcoming meeting. Lastly I and Julia went to the state house and met with Kay Khan, Lisa and Ernestina who are both members of Khan’s team about the ICE program and the Autism Waiver. Along the way we bumped into two big supporters of our bills and a friendly homeless man named Robert.
I went to a meeting at the state house to hear legislators talk about services like homelessness and heath care among others.
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