Dear Supporters of the Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub (UVSH),
First, I would like to thank all of you who support us. Our team is honored to be able to serve our county and we appreciate you. As you may know, the Oregon Department of Education is proposing budget reductions. We are one of thirteen STE(A)M Hubs that make up the STEM Network and between us we serve ALL of Oregon. Our main funding comes Oregon Department of Education grants in the form of the Backbone and STEM Innovation. The current budget reductions being considered are to eliminate the Innovation grant as of June this year and worst-case scenario the Backbone grants will also be eliminated.
The Legislative Session will decide in February what the outcome will be.
The proposed budget cuts the STE(A)M Hub network is facing would be devastating. All thirteen Hubs would not be able to exist without the grants, and the entire state of Oregon would be adversely affected. The Hubs provide services necessary to advance STE(A)M education across the state and our impact is extensive.
Our Hubs provide professional development for teachers, work-based learning opportunities, STEM and CTE pathways, regional coordination across Hubs, and so much more!
In Douglas County the Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub is a leader in STEAM education. The services we provide have a positive impact on thousands of youths as well as educators, parents, and the entire community. We are zealous about providing STEAM opportunities in a variety of ways to reach as many children as possible. By providing them with access to hands-on STEAM learning, they build proficiencies which can lead to employable skills in the future.
If you feel compelled to help, here are some things you can do:
- Provide testimonials to our legislators on how we, the STEAM Hub, have impacted you. Not just our Hub, but all 13 of the Hubs
- Sharing how you are connected to the Hub (teacher, parent, etc.).
- How you have been impacted by what we do/provide
- How have your students/youth have been impacted.
- What do we (UVSH) provide that would not be available to you if we weren’t here and what impact would that have?
Here is the contact information for our legislators as well as the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education (their main focus in statewide education funding).
Representative Virgle Osborne; House District 2
Joint Interim Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education
Thank you for your support and partnerships.
With appreciation,
Teresa Middleton
Director, Umpqua Valley STEAM Hub
teresa.middleton@umpqua.edu
