Hi Folks, 

I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to follow up with some information following the COE's Department of Ed webinar on Monday. As this situation rapidly develops, our asks of Congress to support increased TRIO funding are ever-shapeshifting and are truly paramount. I want you to know that as the Government Relations Chair, I am committed to listening to your concerns and doing my best to pass them along to COE or get you the answers you seek. 

In the webinar, COE outlined what our "asks" should be, as they have been updated in regards to Phase 4, since Policy Seminar. There is a link toward the bottom of this email with that language. As the CARES Act (Phase 3) did not specifically include language regarding TRIO, it is important we reach out to our legislators to ensure that our programs are specifically included moving forward. I am attaching a slide that outlines how the CARES Act involves TRIO directly and another that compares our Phase 3, FY21 Appropriations, and Phase 4 asks, allowing you to see the evolving scope. During these times when many organizations and people are seeking emergency funding, it is important to make our voices heard to support our students! I too, will be following up with the offices we visited during Policy Seminar to communicate our new goals.   

So, now is the time to take action and reach out to legislators on behalf of your students! Are you unsure which Representative or Senators represents your TRIO institution, service area, or home?  Follow this link to receive more advocacy information and click on the "Directory" tab to look up your elected officials.
COE Advocacy and Legislator Directory Page

Below is a suggested email or call script:

Dear [Member of Congress]:

I am a constituent from [TRIO program] at [Institution] in [City], [State]. TRIO supports 800,000 students, including many in your State and District. [Give specific examples of how your TRIO students are hurting.] Our request would provide services to an extra 330,000 low-income youth and adult learners as well as provide digital connectivity for these students. Therefore, we hope you will support this request and specifically reach out to the Appropriations Committee and your Party Leadership to request support for emergency TRIO funding in the next COVID recovery bill.

For details on this proposal, click here:Federal TRIO Programs Emergency Funding Request for COVID Phase 4

Thank you for your support of TRIO programs.

Thank you,

Name
Work Title
TRIO Program
Institution
City, State Zip
Email

I hope this information is helpful for you and answers any immediate questions you have. I look forward to hearing more and helping out as much as possible! Take care, stay healthy, and be well. 

Best, 

Eric 

--
Eric Pratt
Pronouns: He|Him|His

Academic Counselor 
MEEOA Government Relations Chair
Upward Bound | University of Maine at Farmington
252 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
C: 207.314.5499 | W: 207.778.7279
Toll Free: 1.888.237.1667