tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54538207749036111692024-02-07T22:34:03.262-08:00Arizona DDD * DES * AzEIP cuts!(Latest news & info to help you take action)pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-74852859359756449512009-03-17T22:44:00.000-07:002009-03-17T22:47:29.413-07:00Info about CRS cutsPlease click here to read Stacy's post about the current and possible future cuts to the CRS (Children's Rehabilitative Services) program that (do and will) negatively impact a large number of children with disabilities in Arizona!pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-57602496459734727412009-03-17T21:38:00.000-07:002009-03-17T23:22:26.065-07:00Please help a little one ...The family of a darling little 2 year old girl I know, Ariana, is working on raising funds so that they and Ariana, who has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, can travel outside of the U.S. (likely to China or to Mexico) one year from now so that she may receive umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy treatments which may very well make all the difference in Ariana's future abilities.Her mother, Elisapedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-34326157492567664022009-03-16T23:50:00.000-07:002009-03-17T00:18:24.495-07:00a little spot of budget-cut humor . . .On the very day in February, a few weeks ago, that the drastic DES budget cuts were announced, I ran across this piece of "flair" on that silly facebook site. My stomach was all in knots that day - for the children losing services and also I feared (and, sadly, rightly so, it turned out) that the early intervention provider agency I have worked for since 1998 would not survive such drastic pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-91455126065470561242009-03-16T22:18:00.001-07:002009-03-16T22:27:41.997-07:00Great info on other sites!I have added to my sidebar the RSS feed for two of the most-informative resources I've found that are covering the same info as I am on this blog: The AZ Early Intervention Parents/Caregivers Yahoo! Group and the "Early Intervention in Arizona" blog maintained by Stacy, an early intervention provider in the Phoenix area.I strongly encourage all visitors to this blog to check out my sidebar and pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-30051005068552378922009-03-16T21:55:00.001-07:002009-03-16T22:02:27.690-07:00More info re: filing requests for due process hearingsIt is important for families whose early intervention services have been, are, or will be interrupted due to the DDD/DES budget cuts to file written requests for due process hearings. For more information, please see Stacy's post, here.pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-16690926361902774272009-03-16T21:47:00.000-07:002009-03-16T22:07:18.472-07:00Info regarding cuts to Arizona CRS (Children Rehabilitative Services)Stacy, an early intervention provider in the Phoenix area, has two blog posts up about the cuts to CRS services. Rather than re-posting all of the info on this blog, here are the links to her two posts:1. If You Benefit From CRS Services2. Cuts to CRS Funding (advocacy info)The above information was initially distributed as an action alert by Raising Special Kids.pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-81668375115140722422009-03-16T21:43:00.000-07:002009-03-16T21:58:53.928-07:00Capitol Building Rally - March 19thThe Tungland Corporation has organized a rally at the Capitol for this Thursday, March19th, to raise awareness of the DES/DDD cuts. Click here to see the details that are posted on Stacy's "Early Intervention" blog!pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-60779904838391943022009-03-16T15:07:00.000-07:002009-03-16T16:07:21.844-07:00Important info for Parents: talking points, due process info!The following information was passed onto me by Maureen Casey, Chair of the Arizona Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) for Infants & Toddlers and it has been published via this blog with her permission:1. Tips for telling your Early Intervention story when writing to Governor Brewer, and members of the legislature to protest cuts in early intervention services. (Although there is a pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-68201496542309986202009-03-14T13:54:00.000-07:002009-03-14T13:55:11.498-07:00Read Preliminary Injunction (short version - 5 pages)http://azautism.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/preliminary-injunction.pdfpedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-20090817303031204882009-03-13T09:00:00.000-07:002009-03-16T16:08:59.933-07:00News article: "The human anguish of state's budget cuts"From an article on azcentral.com"A cut that eliminated services to developmentally disabled children from birth to age 3 was especially harsh, many said. "It's just a blatant message: They're not important enough," Garcia said after she received one week's notice that daughter Mariah's therapy services would end. Although Wednesday's court ruling means the services will continue for now, they're pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-81277617794430471562009-03-12T23:45:00.001-07:002009-03-13T00:01:03.092-07:00The injunction was excellent news, but keep making those calls & writing those letters!I could write a post on this, but I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel:Click here to read the excellent post of Stacy's (local early intervention provider) about the need for families to continue to make noise even though the preliminary injunction was granted yesterday.pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-67827997326282873962009-03-12T23:41:00.001-07:002009-03-13T00:01:51.198-07:00COURT CASE MINUTES - from March 11, 2009Click here to read the 21-page minutes from the case that was filed to block DDD budget cuts!pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-43275404829314384932009-03-12T19:21:00.000-07:002009-03-13T00:02:29.675-07:00Good info for families re: finding out about restoration of servicesStacy, a local early intervention provider, has posted a great blog entry for parents and caregivers who are now anxiously waiting to learn more about their loved ones' services being reinstated. Click here to read Stacy's post. pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-81487397017633975412009-03-12T19:19:00.000-07:002009-03-12T19:21:42.460-07:00DES news release re: court rulingClick here to see DES's news release regarding yesterday's court ruling.pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-89495396180922986182009-03-12T10:23:00.000-07:002009-03-13T00:03:35.113-07:00News Story about the Preliminary Injunctionhttp://www.kpho.com/health/18912232/detail.html?taf=phopedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-48648800689408677762009-03-11T14:27:00.000-07:002009-03-11T20:11:41.304-07:00Victory!!!The CEO of the agency that runs that early intervention program I work for has been one of those who testified in the case that was recemtly filed to block DDD cutbacks. This afternoon, I learned that the lawsuit, which was filed by the provider consortium (AAPPD) and families, has been won by the plaintiffs!! This is very exciting! : )Although this win will not save the early intervention pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-66771423214228748262009-03-06T01:17:00.000-08:002009-03-06T01:18:57.629-08:00Interesting chart re: AZ budget cuts & potential federal stimulus fundshttp://www.azftf.gov/PublicNoticeAttachmentCenter/02-27-2009%20PNL%20Attachment%202.pdfpedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-42323462624099835162009-03-05T23:57:00.001-08:002009-03-06T11:18:59.134-08:00Possible positive news ... UPDATE 3/6/093/6/09 UPDATE to this news item: The info I posted about the preliminary injunction in the AAPPD case vs. The State re: DDD cuts was incorrect. The judge has not yet made any rulings in the case, and is not scheduled to until next week. pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-74881553262450863172009-03-05T23:31:00.000-08:002009-03-06T00:44:44.005-08:00Info available online re: AAPPD court case vs. State of AZ & DESThe civil case was filed in Superior Court of Marciopa County - (to find docket entries use case # CV2009-006509). The Honorable Joseph B. Heilman initially presided over the case, and it appears - based on the minutes of 2/27/09 - that the case will be (or has been) changed to being presided over by The Honorable Bethany G. Hicks. Official minutes recorded and posted regarding the proceedings pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-38801195483226110642009-03-05T19:20:00.001-08:002009-03-16T16:04:48.054-07:00Where to send your appeal letter re: suspension of AzEIP servicesHere is the page that describes the process of filing a complaint/appeal regarding your child's services: https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/main.aspx?menu=98&id=2366Below the addresses to which you should send your complaint/appeals letters is the portion of the above-linked page that lays out the steps for filing a complaint with DES/AzEIP:Send complaint/appeal letters to:Arizona Center pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-10463552171774178572009-03-05T07:45:00.000-08:002009-03-16T16:03:35.872-07:00Sample letter to appeal suspension of AZ DDD early intervention servicesThis came from the Arizona Autism Coalition IDEA Part C Procedural Safeguards If your child is between the ages of 0-3 and has been affected by these cuts, you have Federal safeguard rights that are meant to protect your child. Early intervention is partially funded by both State and Federal dollars, thus you must take action and appeal your child's termination of services. Follow the pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-11202583977203605302009-03-05T07:39:00.000-08:002009-03-05T07:41:39.591-08:00Video of last week's Rally at the capitolClick here to see a news story/video from last week's rally at the capitol.pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-61442285689743305072009-03-04T08:03:00.000-08:002009-03-04T08:19:49.715-08:0010-day notices going out to families ... sad news ...From the blog of a local early interventionist ...It will be public knowledge soon enough. I heard from a DDD support coordinator (and my supervisor heard from another source) that 10-day termination letters to families went in the mail today. My understanding is that means most services for children who do not qualify for long term care will end on March 13. We still have not been told when pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-85294268657359954142009-03-03T00:55:00.000-08:002009-03-03T00:58:15.448-08:00DES cuts hit elderly, children, familiesMichelle ReeseFeb 28, 2009 (The Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The cuts made by the state Department of Economic Security in the last few weeks have been reported in headlines and spreadsheets, on Web sites and editorials. While the governor is taking steps to restore one of the most noted cuts -- childcare subsidies to working poor families -- through the use pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453820774903611169.post-27377525118301381972009-03-02T23:42:00.000-08:002009-03-03T00:16:58.234-08:00Write Governor Brewer re: using Federal Stimulus funds to restore services!I learned at a meeting this morning, that it is imperative that families, service providers and concerned citizens of Arizona should write to Governor Brewer directly (contact info & link below) to request that she allocates Federal Stimulus funds that will be coming her way to the restoration services in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2010 for children and adults with disabilities that have been pedslphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04093846653125329822noreply@blogger.com2