Susan Gendron, education commissioner, is presenting her plan for restructuring Child Development Services to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday. It’s urgent that parents and providers show their concern by attending that meeting or contacting their state representatives about their concerns.

The proposed changes to CDS do not include providing preschool to 3- to 5-year-olds, rather those children get their therapies in an office setting, Head Start or a preschool that offers developmental therapy. The law dictates that these services should be occurring in the least restrictive environment with their typical peers. Maine accepts millions of dollars from the federal preschool grant for that purpose.

The Department of Education is also proposing funding universal preschool for 4-year-olds, even though there is no research that supports the long-term benefits of preschool for typical children. Shouldn’t we commit education funds to serving those children that we are mandated to serve first and who need it the most?

Gendron needs to make changes to her proposal. She needs to work with parents and agencies that support parents. She committed to working with these agencies to come up with this plan. Though agencies have approached her, they have not been invited to attend restructuring meetings. Until this occurs, we can’t show support for her plan.

Cheri Sullivan, Auburn