Legislator Letter -Sample Language - Tell them about the importance of training for your program's staff. I want to alert you to the cuts to home visiting programs as proposed in the state budget, and to ask for your support in taking action. The Fiscal Year 2006 budget plan announced in Governor Blagojevich's February 16th budget address includes reductions in funding for Healthy Families Illinois programs, including cuts that total over $960,000 for Healthy Families and Parents Too Soon programs. A substantial portion of this cut significantly reduces staff training funds, eliminating 84% of the entire training budget for Healthy Families and Parents Too Soon. Further deep cuts are aimed at virtually eliminating the statewide evaluation of Healthy Families programs It is a mistake to make cuts in prevention programs that have proven successful in reducing child abuse, improving health outcomes, and promoting early learning of young children in Illinois. These cuts are unacceptable. Healthy Families and Parents Too Soon staff are successful in part because the training they receive enables them to effectively address the needs of Illinois' most at-risk families and young children. This cut could cause programs to lose their national accreditation, since the core training must be conducted by trainers who are certified by Healthy Families America. The training institute for Healthy Families and Parents Too Soon provides an efficient and effective way for staff to receive the intensive professional education they need to produce outcomes with families. More than 350 staff statewide receives training through this effort, touching the lives of thousands of vulnerable young children. Staff training funds and evaluation funds must be preserved to ensure the delivery of high-quality services for young children and families. These programs address the governor's key priorities of health, education, and safety for families throughout the state.