Eight special education and early intervention professionals from Georgia volunteered their time to storm Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and advocate on behalf of children and youth with exceptionalities and the professionals who work on their behalf. Organized by the Council for Exceptional Children [CEC] and the Council of Administrators of Special Education [CASE], over 270 special and gifted education and early intervention advocates participated in the 2019 Special Education Legislative Summit from July 7-10.

"For me, the highlight of the summit was meeting with members of Congress and their staff," said Dr. Claire Hughes, an associate professor of education at the College of Coastal Georgia and a board member of CEC-TAG. "There are important policy issues before the U.S. Congress, which can have a positive impact on the outcomes for children and youth in special and gifted education."

While on Capitol Hill, Hughes and the Georgia team of advocates presented Sen. Johnny Isakson, Sen. David Perdue, First District Representative Buddy Carter, and Georgia Representatives Jody Hice, John Lewis, Austin Scott, Lucy McBath, Rob Woodall, Hank Johnson, and Rick W. Allen with five issues currently challenging the field of special education and early intervention. In unison with the 270 national advocates at the summit, the advocates from Georgia asked their legislators in Congress to:

Fund special education and early intervention programs.

Protect public funds for public education.

Address the shortage of special education teachers and early intervention providers.

Build positive climates for learning by investing in mental health.

Invest in IDEA early childhood programs.