#SELS2021 Special Education Legislative Summit

This week, 120 Arizona's joined more than 2000 people from across the US for the Special Education Leadership Summit (SELS) hosted by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Council for Administrators of Special Education (CASE). The Summit is an opportunity for educators from across the country to make a difference by advocating for change with members of congress at the federal level. During SELS, participants learned policy experts about the power of our voice and the importance of grass roots advocacy from our field. Participants learned about three priority issues facing our field today which include the need for increased Special Education Funding, addressing the Educator Shortage, and providing supports for our Mental Health crisis in schools.

Locally, participants have been busy reaching out to members of the house to schedule meetings and discuss these issues. Some of the participants were even able to meet with staff from both Senator Mark Kelly's office and Senator Kyrsten Sinema's office to discuss the critical needs we face here in Arizona.

Interested in getting involved in grassroots advocacy to support the needs of education in Arizona? Be on the lookout this Winter for our Spring event, Special Education Day at the Capitol where local participants join in for a day of advocacy at the state level.