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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

Fentanyl is a lethally potent, inexpensive drug that accounts for the largest rate of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Virginia is ranked by the CDC as one of nine states with a significant increase in drug overdoses for all ages. Drug overdose deaths among adolescents 10-19 years old increased 109% from the end of 2019 to the end of 2021 with deaths involving counterfeit pills present in 25% of adolescent deaths. The Virginia PTA supports funding and implementation of evidence-based comprehensive substance use education, prevention and early intervention programs that are differentiated for an accessible to all learners. The Virginia PTA supports HB134.

Good morning, I'm providing a written comment to support HB 134 because I personally know the effects what fentanyl can do to an individual and their families and communities. Professionally, I'm a public safety officer (correctional officer) who responded to suspected fentanyl overdose situations behind the prison walls. It is an experience I hope no one in the school system ever have to experience. Although I think a fentanyl agenda should happen in the beginning of the school year, it is being recognized that students must be educated about its harmful effects. Please support HB 134 and its effort to prevent a potential tragedy to another student and their family.

Please vote to pass HB 686 Meals for All. The children in Virginia need your help. Every child should be able to get a hot meal and not have to worry about being hungry. Parents are struggling and children are suffering. Please vote for free meals for children.

Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives

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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

The first time I heard the phrase “Title IX” was just four months ago in a mandatory college session. While I’d heard the word thrown around, I never had understood what it was, or what it meant. Upon this realization, I noticed that a lot of my peers in high school would have greatly benefitted from knowing their Title IX rights and what they are allowed to do in a compromising situation. Title IX trainings save lives, reducing mental health severity among students who have been assaulted or harmed. They also inform students of what they can do and what actions they can take, in the situation that a school mishandles or mistreats a report, something that was common at my high school. I strongly urge you to vote in favor of HB 215 because it has the capability to help so many students when they’re at their most vulnerable. Thank you.

Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.

Vote YES

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives

Good morning. My name is Alex Guzmán, and I am the Public Policy Officer at ChildSavers, 100-year-old nonprofit providing trauma-informed youth mental health and child development services throughout the Commonwealth. I am here this morning to speak in support of HB 358, Delegate Simond’s safe sleep bill. Our Child Development Services staff at ChildSavers work directly with child care programs – child care centers and home-based programs. Staff provide technical assistance to support licensing requirements, to help providers become licensed or voluntarily registered, and to help strengthen the quality of programs. In FY23, we served 546 providers across Virginia. Safe sleep practices are something you would think that everyone knows. But, what we see is that many people are not familiar with the safe sleep guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. For people working in licensed child care programs, compliance with the safe sleep guidelines is required. The safe sleep guidance also applies to license exempt care and to religious exempt care. The only category of regulated care that is not required to follow any safe sleep practices is Voluntarily Registered care. It’s a loophole. And, one that can have deadly consequences. The most frequent cause of deaths in babies is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. Many SIDS cases turn out to be an unsafe sleep arrangement. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reviewed infant deaths over the years. To reduce the likelihood of SIDS, they have recommended guidelines for safe sleep. It’s time to make sure that all regulated child care programs in Virginia are required to utilize safe sleep practices. These guidelines can help save lives. Please support HB 358 and pass the legislation today.

Hi there, I'm Natalie from Social Busy Bee, your partner in the exciting world of Instagram growth. I've discovered something phenomenal for skyrocketing your Instagram popularity and I'm thrilled to share it with you! Social Growth Engine introduces a groundbreaking service that takes your Instagram engagement to new heights. It's effortless: - Zero in on producing unforgettable content. - Extremely budget-friendly at a mere $36/month. - Completely safe (no password needed), incredibly powerful, and Instagram's best friend. I've experienced remarkable results firsthand, and I'm sure you will too! Amplify your Instagram presence right now: http://get.socialbuzzzy.com/instagram_booster Best wishes, Natalie at Social Busy Bee"

Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

As a retired early childhood development specialist and child care program director I know the importance of funding for early care and education. Everyone benefits when young children’s development is supported. 90% of the brain develops before age 5. The emotional and physical health, social skills, and cognitive and linguistic capacities that emerge in the early years are all critical for success in school, the workplace, and in the larger community. Thank you for supporting this vital bill.

On behalf of the League of Women Voters Virginia, I strongly support House Bill 419. This bill strengthens the funding formula and maintains educator incentives - both of which are critical to improving the quality and accessibility of child care in the Commonwealth. Only 57% of demand for child care in Virginia is being met in the current system. That's nearly half of Virginia's children not getting access to the care their families need. This bill would ensure that much-needed funds would be allocated towards child care and, once allocated would never revert back to the general fund.  As a mom of three spending over $35,000 per year on child care, I urge your support for House Bill 419, a pivotal step towards securing a brighter future for Virginia’s children and families.

I am writing in support of HB419. As a parent and early child educator, preschool is vital to students success in kindergarten and beyond. I see a huge divide in my kindergarten class socially, academically, and behaviorally of students who attended good preschool and those who did not.

I am respectfully asking for help with this very important bill I'm working two jobs and still trying to stay afloat with barely even being able to spend quality time with my kids. Thank you Darline Meriwether

Vote YES on HB 419 to provide a stable source of public funding to early childhood education. The early childhood education system is not working for Virginia's families. Many families struggle to find safe, affordable, high-quality childcare or spend a significant proportion of their paychecks on childcare. Finding a the solution to this problem will require significant, sustained public funding, which this bill will provide. Relying on the whims of the legislature or the governor each year for funding creates instability and insecurity, further troubling an already troubled marketplace. This bill is a necessary investment in early childhood education. For Virginia's economy to work, a stable childcare system is vital, and this bill takes us a step closer to that stability.

Please support HB 419; it's clear that our nation and the commonwealth are in the midst of a childcare crisis, and we need to take meaningful, sustained action to address it. HB419's greatest strength is its commitment to sustainability; we cannot depend on a given budget or administration to determine whether early childhood is worth funding. This is a common sense piece of legislation that could have a practical, huge impact on the way we plan for childcare and early childhood development.

I support this companion bill to SB54 as the state seeks to place early childhood education on the full education continuum. This means funding this part of the system and strategies in this bill will build that in. It is also critical to recognize and incentivize teachers in high quality early learning settings who are the everyday heroes. They are helping working parents by providing full-day, full-year child care and usually don’t receive a living wage themselves. Let’s keep the momentum going to invest in early education for VA’s future - our children!

I oppose all these unconstitutional, dangerous, and pointless laws.

The end of solitary confinement must be done My son was murdered in solitary confinement at Red Onion Prison in Pound Va on 1/3/22.

PLEASE GO TO HENRICO SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MARCH 14, 2024 LINK BELOW. READ THE LAST COMMENT ON PAGE 9 AND THE THIRD COMMENT ON PAGE 27. THIS IS WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/henrico/Board.nsf/files/D3CJHX4D404E/$file/Written%20Comments%203-14-24.pdf

Good morning. My name is Alexander Guzman and I am the Public Policy Officer at ChildSavers, a 100-year-old nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed youth mental health and child development services throughout the Commonwealth. I am here this morning to speak in support of HB 508, Delegate Laura Jane Cohen’s child care substitute bill. At Childsavers, we work hands-on with over 500 child care centers across the Commonwealth. In the current competitive jobs market, we often hear child care programs are understaffed. Someone left for a higher paying job at Target, or Walmart, or McDonalds. Sometimes they give two weeks notice, sometimes they leave or resign on the spot. Exacerbating the staffing shortage is that staff may call out sick, or they need to take time off because their own child is sick, or they have paid time off like a vacation day. Between vacancies and call-outs, child care centers can really be in a bind trying to make sure that they have adequate staffing within each classroom. Sometimes this means that a child care center will open late. Sometimes it means that a child care center will close early. Sometimes it means that the Director will pause her responsibilities running the center for the day to be in the classroom. Too often, parents are impacted if they have to pick up their children early due to staffing shortages. HB 508 would enable communities to operate a child care substitute pool. The public school system regularly places substitutes. A similar child care substitute system is needed within communities as well. The substitutes would be background check cleared and meet all Virginia child care training requirements, including CPR certification. Please support HB 508. It’s time for Virginia communities to be able to tap into a child care substitute system. Thank you.

I support HB 509, a bill that would require public colleges to accept a diverse form of documentation, such as a 504 plan, an IEP, or record from a previous institution or private school, to establish eligibility for disability services. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was nine years old. Because being Autistic makes certain tasks like writing and time management hard for me, I received accommodations during elementary, middle, and high school in my IEP (accommodations statement). Despite this existing government document that shows my disability status, some universities require me to undergo costly new evaluations to prove that I am Autistic. This is a problem since my insurance refuses to pay for new evaluations since Autism is a lifelong diagnosis. Luckily, I chose George Mason University partly because it accepts high school documentation as sufficient to prove that I am disabled. Being registered with my university’s disability services helped connect me to join Delta Alpha Pi, an honors society for high-achieving disabled students, gain access to the Disability Services Newsletter, and made it possible for me to get accommodations in college. All this bill does is take a successful policy at my university and require public universities to adopt it. It will streamline and simplify the process of proving disability by making it clear which documents are accepted. This will be a good step in turning what is a bureaucratic nightmare for many students into one that doesn’t create unnecessary steps. Illinois and Arizona have already passed laws to this effect and have been successful without overburdening colleges. I ask you to please support this bill in the House Education Committee. Thanks, Adam Rizzoli

I have a son with various learning disabilities who went to my alma mater, Auburn University in Alabama in 2014. Auburn accepted his high school learning disability information and approved accommodations in short order without requiring any new testing or documentation. If they had made such a request, the burden of scheduling new testing, along with the expense, would have prohibited him from attending. The amended HB509 allows Virginia universities to be able to request "new" testing and documentation in order to receive educational accommodations. If Alabama allows current high school information to be sufficient for accommodations, why not Virginia? Is Virginia really going to be behind Alabama on something like this?

Please move to report a good bill for the disabled.

As a student at UVA I understand the importance of higher education for a person's future and that's why its so important that all students have equal access to that opportunity. However students with Autism are denied this opportunity because they are forced to undergo costly and time-consuming new evaluations by a psychologist, even if they already have some other form of documentation such as an IEP or 504 Plan. We shouldn't be punishing students with Autism and other disabilities by making them go through this process. That's why I hope all members of the committee will support HB 509.

As a student at James Madison University, I strongly support HB 509 to expand the documents students with previously documented disabilities may use in order to qualify for disability services. We know this can be done because many colleges in Virginia already do it with much success. Arizona and Illinois are already doing this. This is an important bill for college students that I hope you will support.

Please support HB509 to broaden the forms of documentation allowed to qualify for disability services. It is absurd that colleges are allowed to require us students to undergo new evaluations even when an IEP is completely sufficient. I am attending Northern Virginia Community College specifically over James Madison University because NVCC has a much better process of accommodating students with disabilities. Students deciding what colleges they want to attend should not have to worry about whether that college will accept their IEP.

Please support HB509. These disabilities are lifelong and students should not have to undergo new medical testing in order to prove they still have a disability. These new evaluations are medically unnecessary and cost thousands of dollars.

As a parent and grandparent of children with disabilities, I wholeheartedly support this bill. The disability world is full of complexity, obstacles and hoops to jump through. Streamlining the process will be good for the students, their parents and the university.

We supportHB509 that would allow special education plans from the last years of high school be used as proof of a disability so students with disabilities going to higher education didn't have to get brand new testing to prove a lifelong disability still exists. Disabilities do not go away when a student leaves home and high school for college. More often, we see an exacerbation of symptoms as needs increase while family caregivers are far away. For students to have to undergo new testing to prove they continue to have lifelong disabilities is nonsensical and a massive challenge to helping students with disabilities succeed in college. We'd love to have your support on this bill as a showing of your support of students with disabilities in higher education settings.

Please vote to pass HB 686 Meals for All. The children in Virginia need your help. Every child should be able to get a hot meal and not have to worry about being hungry. Parents are struggling and children are suffering. Please vote for free meals for children.

HB48 - It is not for the govt. to dictate communist ideals to our public institutions. HB509 - Move to report. HB700 - Move to report. HB827 - If you are in college, work.

Virginia ranks 48th in providing access to mental health care for youth, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds. Ninety-one percent of Virginians live in an area with a shortage of mental health professionals resulting in 60% of Virginia's youth with major depression not receiving treatment. The Virginia PTA supports HB603.

Vote in favor of: HB1039, HB732, HB686, HB603, HB498, HB497, HB482, HB386, HB253, HB224, HB215, HB134, and HB41. I would recommend including additional language in HB41 that addresses voter registrations in public schools. Being an active voter is part of our civic duty and participation in our democratic process should be taught and encouraged. Voter registration drives should be occurring in all public high schools in the Commonwealth.

Vote YES

This bill provides more specifics to the existing statute for mental health instruction so that the previous requirements are actually implemented. Previous attempts have resulted in uneven implementation around the state, and little to no monitoring or accountability. Students are hurting, and the need is urgent. This will ultimately address the lingering issues of ignorance and stigma surrounding mental health. The end goal is that students begin learning about mental health throughout K-12 education, that we all have mental health, that it is part of everyone's overall health, and when we aren't feeling right the sooner we talk about it with someone, then the sooner we can get help and the better the outcomes. It all starts here.

seconding what my family and friends have said and taught me as we examine these bills together- 134- YES 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES 386- YES 398- YES 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma. It is overdue 214- YES 224- YES 253- YES civic engagement encouraged 386- YES 398- YES incredible practice to prevent punishment and foster healthy development 497- YES 498- YES 603- YES 686- YES 732- YES Nalaxone critical and life saving

134- YES to fentanyl training to save lives and decrease stigma 214- YES increase safety and change culture 224- YES to save lives with training 253- YES students' voices are critical and will teach power of speaking up for themselves 386- YES 398- YES restorative justice changes lives and prevents school to prison pipeline. Lynchburg has found restorative practices to be so impactful that a federal grant was just awarded almost 1M to continue 497- YES SAVE LIVES 498 YES save lives 603 YES save lives reduce stigma 686 YES 732 YES save lives

Hi there, I'm Natalie from Social Busy Bee, your partner in the exciting world of Instagram growth. I've discovered something phenomenal for skyrocketing your Instagram popularity and I'm thrilled to share it with you! Social Growth Engine introduces a groundbreaking service that takes your Instagram engagement to new heights. It's effortless: - Zero in on producing unforgettable content. - Extremely budget-friendly at a mere $36/month. - Completely safe (no password needed), incredibly powerful, and Instagram's best friend. I've experienced remarkable results firsthand, and I'm sure you will too! Amplify your Instagram presence right now: http://get.socialbuzzzy.com/instagram_booster Best wishes, Natalie at Social Busy Bee"

Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF VIRGINIA STATEMENT OF SUPPORT HB625 CIS of Virginia is the leading implementer of the community school framework in Virginia, serving 163 schools in partnership with 25 of the highest-need school districts, reaching 114,000 (or one in ten) Virginia students. Our evidence-based model is centered on the delivery of integrated student and family supports services within schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. CIS of Virginia urges your support of HB625 to create an Office of Community Schools within the Virginia Department of Education. This important initiative will provide a framework to support the implementation and expansion of community schools throughout the state, allowing more students to benefit from the comprehensive services and resources that community schools offer. Community schools have emerged as a proven and effective strategy for improving educational outcomes, particularly for students from low-income families and underserved communities. By addressing the non-academic barriers to learning such as poverty, health issues, and lack of family support, community schools create a holistic approach to education that fosters academic success and overall well-being. As a centralized resource for implementing and coordinating community school initiatives across Virginia, the office will ensure that community schools have the necessary support and infrastructure to thrive, and will serve as a hub for sharing best practices, resources, and data-driven strategies. For decades, CIS has demonstrated the transformative impact that these models can have on students, families, and communities. By offering a range of academic, health, and social services, community schools provide a safety net for students and families, addressing their needs in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. This approach not only improves student attendance and outcomes, but also strengthens the overall school community. The proposed Office of Community Schools would be instrumental in supporting the expansion of community schools, helping to identify schools that would benefit from adopting the community school model and providing the necessary resources and technical assistance to facilitate their transition. By leveraging the expertise and experience of the office, school districts across the state can more effectively implement and sustain community school initiatives. Furthermore, through collaboration with community organizations, local agencies, and education stakeholders, an Office of Community Schools can facilitate partnerships that enhance the range and quality of services available to students and families and help ensure that community schools are able to meet the diverse needs of their student populations. The impact of community schools extends far beyond academic achievement. These schools have been shown to improve school climate, increase parental involvement, and strengthen community engagement. By integrating services that address the social, emotional, and health needs of students, community schools help create a positive and supportive environment that fosters long-term success and a stronger workforce for the Commonwealth. Thank you for supporting this important initiative to help create a brighter future for the students of Virginia. Sincerely, Mark Emblidge, Ph.D. Founder and President Communities In Schools of Virginia

Hello. I am a parent of a 9th grader, and 1st grader and I have a Four year old starting school this fall. I believe that all of these bills will work hand in hand to bring a positive change to the Norfolk Public Schools System. Many of Norfolks schools are performng below average specifically in low income communities that are majority black. The public schools in these communities have a history of being underserved and overlooked. I believe that all students should have a quality education that will prepare them for success and ensure that they excel not only academically, but also socially and economically. The implementation of a community schools model would significantly improve the performance of the students while helping the community thrive. Community school based model assess the specific needs of the school and the community and work together with each other and organizations to provide solutions to the problems that the school needs to tackle to ensure that the students staff and parents thrive. Also, increasing childrens access to school couselors is a need that can be very beneficial to the success of students and can take the some of the burden off of the teachers. Lastly, but definitely the most important is the need for a competitive salary for our teachers. They have one of the hardest and most essential roles in the field and that is building the next generation. Teachers serve as mentors, couselors, and sometimes even mediators. Some of our teacher even have to deal with hostile enviroments. In my opinion, They deserve top dollar because they are the backbone of the community. All in all I support each of these bills and I hope that they pass.