Nick Collins vows to expand upon his existing record of commitment to children and youth by championing causes for children and families with disabilities. Collins, whose life has been positively influenced by the many programs offered in this community during his youth, is founder of the South Boston Collegiate Baseball Clinic and volunteer baseball coach. Collins is leading the fight to keep South Boston’s libraries open and stands with those who support the Walsh Center.
Collins stated, “As I knock doors throughout the district, I hear the stories of families struggling to meet the individual needs of their children who have some type of disability. Blue collar workers, single mothers and grandparents and extended families all express the same pain and disbelief in their voices.” He hears of the struggle to provide these children with adequate health care coverage, a public education and the dignity they deserve.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education and Improvement Act (IDEA) mandates that each state provide all eligible children with an appropriate education that meets their unique and individual needs. Children with various disabilities are entitled to early intervention services and special education. Collins said, “It is unconscionable that families, living with the daily stress of caring for disabled children, are being forced to file lawsuits to gain the services and educational opportunities that their children have a right to receive. There is something broken with our moral compass to put struggling families in this situation.”
Under the IDEA ACT of 2004, parents are entitled to be treated as an equal partner with a school district in deciding on an education plan for a child with individual needs. Whether the disabilities are physical, emotional or neurological, there is a lack of support services and these children have a right to an education. Statistics show that 1 in 110 children born today have some form of autism, and 1 in 70 are boys. This alarming rate needs to be addressed not only within our health care system but in our schools.
“A child’s disability is often unique and it is imperative that each child be recognized independently. While by no means a disability at the level of many of these children, I have had to cope with stuttering and worked with a special speech counselor in high school. Having that service available was a welcomed relief,” Collins revealed.
As your next State Representative, Collins wants families to know that they can count on him to work on these issues and be a champion in improving the lives of these children. If elected, Collins will make a request to the Speaker of the House to be appointed to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
“I will be a determined advocate for these children and their families and do all that I can to make a difference for them and for all of us,” Collins vowed.
Please join me as we celebrate Evacuation Day and St. Patrick’s Day while supporting South Boston Youth Hockey.