E-Mail Response to Constituent Services

This was the e-mail I sent in response to a reply from Constituent Services (in response to my earlier Internet-form letter)

January 30, 2009

Hello Ms. Brown:

Thank you for your quick response. I am interested in meeting with the Governor regarding this statewide issue of abusing individuals with disabilities by use of seclusion and restraint in schools.

I am currently moving forward with drafting legislation and finding bill sponsors. I am also working closely with the Missouri Planning Council with Developmental Disabilities to get their support. DESE will not address this issue, and refers to the way current legislation is set up ("local autonomy" -- school districts). The DMH has guidelines for institutions and state run programs, but nothing is carried over into schools.

I would love to educate the governor on this statewide issue, or at the very least meet with a staff member and provide a packet of information. As you may know, the Governor of Ohio has recently gotten involved in this issue after the death of a young girl in his state (currently ruled a homicide). I, for one, do not want to wait unit another person dies, to take action.

Thanks,

Ange Hemmer
Missouri: Families Against Seclusion and Restraint
nomoseclusion@gmail.com