1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

I demand immediate action to stop the impending layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). As the parent of a child with autism, I cannot overstate the critical importance of this office for millions of students with disabilities. The planned reduction-in-force, set for December 9th, will gut OSERS, leaving only a skeleton crew of top officials. This is unacceptable. OSERS oversees $15 billion in special education funding and ensures services for 7.5 million children with disabilities. Without adequate staffing, the quality of special education nationwide is at risk. These cuts may violate federal law mandating the existence of an Office of Special Education Programs. The desire to return education to states cannot come at the expense of federal protections for our most vulnerable students. I urge you to act now. Investigate these cuts. Preserve OSERS's critical functions. Our children's futures are at stake. The December 9th deadline looms – swift action is imperative to prevent this catastrophic blow to special education services. My son, and millions like him, depend on robust federal oversight of special education. Don't let the Department of Education abandon its legal and moral obligations. Stand up for our children with disabilities. Stop these cuts before it's too late.