ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Parents of children with developmental disabilities are urging Congress to protect federal funding for the Georgia Advocacy Office, saying proposed cuts could leave thousands of families without critical support and legal protections.

More than 170,000 Georgians live with developmental disabilities, according to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. Many families say the first time they felt truly supported was when they discovered the Georgia Advocacy Office.

“I was completely alone. No one was there to help me,” said Maria Manning, a single mother whose son Jaylen is autistic and non-verbal. “The Georgia Advocacy Office—it was the first time I got any hope.”

Manning said Jaylen requires round-the-clock care. He can’t speak, gets easily

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