9/28/2016. Learning Goals. IAASE Strategic Plan

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1 On the Hill and Under the Dome Strategies for Working with Legislative Leaders in Washington and Springfield Shannon Miller Bellini Governmental Relations Specialist IAASE Scott Hogan Executive Director Tri-County Special Education Association Dr. Kevin Rubenstein Director of Student Services Lake Bluff District 65 Carrie Clodi Director of Student Services Grant Park School District 6 Dr. Lea Anne Frost Executive Director ECHO Joint Agreement Dr. Judy Hackett Executive Director NSSEO Dr. Tim Thomas Legislative Chair IAASE Dawn Michaud Student Services Administrator SEAPCO Learning Goals Review IAASE s legislative strategy. Discuss key state and federal issues impacting special education administrators in Illinois. Provide information about how to discuss these issues with elected officials. Discuss importance of relationship building. IAASE Strategic Plan Work with our Federal and State legislators is a key portion of our organization s strategic plan. Goal 1C: IAASE will network nationally by reaching out formally to Midwest CASE unit leadership, to strengthen collaborative relationships that develop common goals, common positions, and reciprocal support for a strong proactive National voice. 1

2 IAASE Strategic Plan Goal 3C IAASE will be prominent, recognized, and respected as a strong organization nationally, maintaining our status as an award-winning unit with National CASE and advocating on the National level regarding legislative policy issues which impact special education students and families. 3C1: By involving a broader group of membership in the July CASE Legislative Conference, and scheduling Congressional visits to our legislators in Washington D.C. IAASE Strategic Plan Goal 4: IAASE will educate members regarding on-going legislative issues, legislative platform, and encourage process and timely involvement to promote active and influential participation with the Legislative Committee. IAASE Strategic Plan Alignment with the strategic plan IAASE has sent 2 or 3 members to the CASE Legislative Summit for the last several years. The past two summers IAASE sent 6 members to the joint CASE and CEC Legislative summit CASE and CEC prepared a joint summit to increase its impact for children 2

3 The Key Issues - Nationally Improving Outcomes for Children with Disabilities Through High-Quality Early Learning Programs Supported the passage of a dedicated funding stream, in preparation for re-authorization of the upcoming Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Conveyed support for the spending bill for FY17 that comes up (HR 551) that appropriates 12.9 Billion Dollars for IDEA Part B and the 1.12 Billion for 3-5 year old programs and the 1.02 Billion for birth to three programs Supported the necessity of additional supports at the earliest stages for children with disabilities. The Key Issues - Nationally Preparing Future Educators to Meet the Needs of Children with Disabilities under the upcoming Higher Education Act Reauthorization Supported requirement that teacher and related service staff (e.g., SLP and Psychologist) programs train all future educators to address the needs of students with disabilities and the already identified shortages in these areas. Shared concerns with value-added measures being tied to funding for grants as they are not valid or reliable measures. Recognized that this can be addressed through the regulatory process. Advocated for additional opportunities to complete research in all areas of special education as evidence-based practices are sorely needed in all areas of the field. The Key Issues - Nationally School and Community Based Mental Health Thanked those members for supporting HR 2646 the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act: Dold, Bost, Kinzinger, Davis, Quigley, Shimkus, and LaHood were co-sponsors. Urged congress to support policies that promote interdisciplinary approaches to mental health and that starts as early as possible. Supported wrap-around services and supports as being desperately needed. 3

4 The Key Issues - Nationally Maintenance of Effort Exceptions (continued from last year) Requested policy that includes targeted exceptions that will meet the needs of LEAs without jeopardizing services for children with disabilities, (universal personnel expenditures, technology advances, instructional services) Requested policy that includes appropriate levels of accountability built in at the local, state and federal levels. The Key Issues - In Illinois The Budget This is the biggest and most challenging issue facing Illinois schools today. Without a budget, the following items are held up: Assessment timelines Reports from PARCC Mandate Relief The Key Issues - In Illinois Funding IAASE continues to work collaboratively with other organizations on advocating for the needs of students with disabilities within the discussions of funding reform, particularly focusing on the evidenced-based model. 4

5 The Key Issues - In Illinois Licensure IAASE needs to continue discussing this issue with the ISBE, participation on CEEDAR and working with colleges and universities,advocating for increased flexibility and seeking practical creative solutions. Further, IAASE needs to work with the ISBE so there is flexibility related to licensure and application of some of the changes.. How we learned about these issues The CASE/ CEC Legislative Summit Day One: Myrna Mandlawitz, a consultant and lobbyist for CASE, spoke with the conference attendees regarding the current state of Congress, issues that were resonating with our elected leaders, and what was happening with ESEA and IDEA Reauthorization. Deb Ziegler, Director of Policy and Advocacy for CEC, reviewed through issue briefs created in collaboration between CEC and CASE Day Two: Breakout sessions on topics for Tuesday s visits. Time for collaboration/preparation for individual Hill visits Day Three: On Capitol Hill Visits with Legislators 5

6 Engage with Your Legislators Be mindful of when you communicate Ask about their communication preferences during sessions. Be persistent but also understand he timing of the issue you d like to discuss. Know your issue and the process Understand the process and keep track of the bill. Understand the need for give and take Like every good relationship this one has two sides. Making the extra effort to support your legislator goes a long way. Take advantage of the off season When the legislators are not in session (typically June-October) is a great time to meet in person and open up the lines of communication. DO... BE FIRM Bring along facts and figures to support your case and be clear in your position. LEAVE SOMETHING IN WRITING A single page, bulleted version of your argument they can refer back to. COMPROMISE It s better to get some things you want even if you can t get everything. If you can t defeat a bill, dilute it. PERSONALIZE Understand how the issue specifically affects you and explain it in your own words. KEEP YOUR WORD If you promise to provide information, drop everything and get it to them. This builds trust. KEEP TRACK Follow the legislation through the process and update bill numbers and positions accordingly. KNOW THE OTHER SIDE Understand the opposing view and give specific and factual rebuttals. SAY THANK YOU If they helped your position, let them know. Show them your support by attending events when the legislature in not in session. DON T... BE ARGUMENTATIVE You can never win an argument with a legislator, so don t start one. Never threaten or lose your cool. WRITE A BOOK Your legislator doesn t have time to read a 10 page historical document, rather they need common sense and simple arguments. GIVE UP Be persistent in communicating your views. At the same time, don t waste time lobbying opponents who are publicly opposed to your position. 6

7 DON T... WASTE THEIR TIME With form letters and mass mailings that don t give new information. PROMISE SOMETHING YOU CAN T DELIVER This is a quick way to lose credibility in the relationship. COME UNPREPARED Be respectful of your legislators time, especially during busy in-session times. EXPECT TO ALWAYS GET YOUR WAY Be willing to forgive, but not forget. BURN BRIDGES Thank your legislator for considering your position. Restate your position and say you look forward to future discussions. The CASE/ CEC Legislative Summit Day Three - Visits to the Hill Capitol Hill Visits IAASE Met with the following Representatives: Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D- 8th District) Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) While these members could not meet with us, they made a member of their staff available to us: Rep. Mike Bost (R- 12th District) Rep. Cheri Bustos (D - 17th District) Rep. Robert Dold (R- 10th District) Rep. Rodney Davis (R - 13th District) Rep. Randy Hultgren (R - 14th District) Rep. Robin Kelly (D- 2nd District) Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R - 16th District) Rep. Dan Lipinski (D- 3rd District) Rep. Danny Davis (D- 7th District) Rep. Darin LaHood (R- 17th District) 7

8 Our Strategy for the Hill Visits Understand that Congress is run by 20 year olds and accept the fact that we will be meeting with staff members and not always with a Member of Congress. Introduce ourselves and give the member a context for the districts we represent. Talk about two or three issues and provide a real-life story that is memorable and provides the member with a context for the issue. Our Strategy for the Hill Visits Provide written information about our issues in the form of CASE issue briefs. Pictures and social media Follow-up thank you notes Moving forward: Goals for the future 8

9 Connecting the Federal and State Focus Legislative Priorities: ESSA - Federal and State Planning Supplemental vs. Supplant (Federal Dept. of Ed regulations) Assessment, Targeted Growth and Accountability Funding reform focus on needs of special education Certification changes and nursing practice changes Moving Forward Members of Congress deal with dozens of issues every hour. CASE and CEC advocate for the use of the following strategy: Identify members of IAASE who live within each congressional district. Have members work with superintendents to set up a semiregular meeting with the Legislative Director or District Director for the Member of Congress. Moving forward Continue to build relationships with Members of Congress and the staff members who support them to help provide a local voice for federal decision-making. Maintenance of Effort Perkins Reauthorization IDEA Reauthorization Full Funding 9

10 ESSA UPDATE The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, This bipartisan measure reauthorized the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation s education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. The new law builds on key areas of progress in recent years and ongoing efforts to improve educational opportunities for all students in Illinois. The majority of the law does not take effect until , with implementation occurring over the next year and a half. ISBE staff has been and will continue to engage with stakeholders and encourage involvement during this process. public access to the text of ESSA A bill summary compiled by ISBE staff is available at and updates weekly. Questions 10