Carson Smith Scholarship Families: Parent Action Opportunity

If you are a current or prospective Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship family, you need to review the brief below. It summarizes recent scholarship funding changes, concerns raised by affected families who have created the CSOS Family Network, and recommendations being shared with policymakers. The brief also provides background information, timelines, and details about how these changes may affect homeschooling families participating in the program.

The information (linked below) was prepared by parents of Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship recipients who have been working to better understand the recent changes and communicate their concerns. Some legislators have expressed a willingness to hear directly from families.

As a service to our community, UHOPE is sharing this information for any families who wish to participate. Whether you choose to get involved or simply stay informed, we encourage respectful and constructive communication.

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The following message comes directly the newly formed CSOS Family Network parent group organizing this effort:

Hi, parents,

I've been talking with my state representative, and he has talked with CFEF. Acting on his suggestion we are doing an email blitz!

1. Write an email, attach the brief, and send it to your legislators and Bcc to key legislators (see sample & list below).

2. Click here when you're done: https://forms.gle/qYs7SCFdvaBMVpAq6

Easy peasy! Do it right now before you get busy with something else.

Purpose

We are NOT asking legislators to create new legislation. We are asking them to understand what happened and use their influence to encourage Children First Education Fund (CFEF) to work with families and reconsider recent decisions.

What to Ask For

• Review the concerns outlined in the attached brief

• Reach out to CFEF leadership and ask questions

• Encourage reconsideration of homeschool scholarship award amounts

• Encourage improved communication and advance notice before major program changes

• Encourage creation of a Parent Advisory Committee so families have a voice in future decisions

Helpful Tips

• A short personal story about how this affected your child or educational plans is often more effective than a long explanation.

• When asking legislators to use their influence and oversight role, avoid phrases like “pressure them.” Using wording such as “look into this issue” or “encourage reconsideration” tends to be received better.

Sample Message (personalize as you wish)

Hello, my name is __________.

I am reaching out regarding recent Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship changes affecting families of students with disabilities. I am not asking for new legislation. I am asking that you review the attached information and encourage Children First Education Fund to work collaboratively with families to find solutions within the existing program.

Thank you for your time and for supporting Utah students with disabilities.

Click here to find YOUR legislators: https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Use this easy copy & paste list below to Bcc key legislators:

• tauxier@le.utah.gov

• jsadams@le.utah.gov

• lescamilla@le.utah.gov

• mikeschultz@le.utah.gov

• karilisonbee@le.utah.gov

• lfillmore@le.utah.gov

• rayward@le.utah.gov

• jdprovost@le.utah.gov

• hbalderree@le.utah.gov

• mmacpherson@le.utah.gov

• npeck@le.utah.gov

• seliason@le.utah.gov

• cpierucci@le.utah.gov

• gpace@le.utah.gov

• nwalter@le.utah.gov

Ready, set, GO!