Great 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 browse the feed for both of the above-mentioned sites to see their latest postings!

More info re: filing requests for due process hearings

It 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.

Capitol Building Rally - March 19th

The 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!

Important 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 current hold on the cuts to those services, it is only a temporary fix ... we are not out of the woods yet!)

2. Key statement to include in a letter requesting a due process hearing (see highlighted text at end of document)

If you want more information and to have your questions about requesting a due process hearing answered, I strongly encourage you to click here to view the AZ Early Intervention Parents/Caregivers Yahoo! Group messages. You may read the AZ Early Intervention ... Yahoo! Group messages without joining the group (if you would like to post to the group you must first joing the group using your Yahoo! ID).

Maureen Casey & Kristina Park - Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, of the AZ ICC for Infants and Toddlers moderate and are active members of the AZ Early Intervention ... Yahoo! group and they are SO knowledgeable and helpful!

The 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.

COURT CASE MINUTES - from March 11, 2009

Click here to read the 21-page minutes from the case that was filed to block DDD budget cuts!

Good info for families re: finding out about restoration of services

Stacy, 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.

DES news release re: court ruling

Click here to see DES's news release regarding yesterday's court ruling.

Possible positive news ... UPDATE 3/6/09

3/6/09 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.

Sample letter to appeal suspension of AZ DDD early intervention services

This 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 appeals process (Administrative Review) carefully that is specifically detailed in the DES letter -- you have 35 days from the date of the letter to appeal. Here is a sample letter: To Whom It May Concern: My child is 2 years old and has a diagnosis of ___________. He/she has been receiving one hour per week of occupational therapy and speech therapy since July 2008, along with two hours per week with a developmental specialist. I received a letter from DES dated March 3, 2009, informing me that my child would no longer be receiving any therapies after March 13, 2009, due to the State's economic hardships. I respectfully request an Administrative Review and appeal this decision to remove services from my child. My child is entitled to early intervention services based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). According to Federal IDEA policy, services can only be stopped if the parents choose to withdraw their consent to participate or the child no longer needs services. Neither of which is the case. Also according to IDEA, services must stay in place while dispute resolution takes place. Removing services from my child in this manner is a direct violation of IDEA, and I fully intend to dispute this removal of early intervention services. Sincerely,

Please visit the Arizona Autism Coalition website, www.azautism.org for information and updates.

Video of last week's Rally at the capitol

Click here to see a news story/video from last week's rally at the capitol.

DES cuts hit elderly, children, families

Michelle Reese
Feb 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 of federal stimulus funs, still many others are going forth.

More than 700 employees in DES programs are without jobs, including some Child Protective Services investigators. About 9,000 must take furlough days between now and June 12. Not every case of abuse or neglect will be looked into, the DES Web site reports. Not every child will get services that may help development.

For Carrie Reed of Queen Creek, the financial impact of these cuts may be seen in the face of her 8-year-old daughter, Lauren.

"Lauren is nonverbal," Reed said. "Her only way to communicate is through song."

To read the rest of this article, click here: http://www.individual.com/story.php?story=97106506

Write 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 swiped out from under them as a result of the recent DDD cuts!

The responsibility to decide how to use the Federal Stimulus funds will be solely Governor Brewer's, not DES's ... not DDD's ... not the State Legislature's ... only Governor Brewer's! These funds will be coming to Arizona very soon, so is vital that she receives letter after letter after letter urging her to use Fed. Stim. package funds to help restore services to the children and adults with disabilities who may very well suffer irreparable harm if their support and therapeutic services are not restored, and soon!

• Here is a nice fill-in-the-blank letter (which you can personalize!) via the Children's Action Alliance website: http://action.voiceshub.org/campaign/fedstimulus_DEScuts

• Here is the link to contact Governor Brewer via email (also includes snail mail address & phone numbers): http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp

What? You're still here?? Go! Start writing those letters and spread the word!! : )

"Families worry about (Early Intervention) DES cuts

Families worry about DES cuts

by Melissa Gonzalo - Feb. 24, 2009 06:25 PM
12 News

Advocates and parents are concerned children under the age of three with developmental disabilities will have to go without therapy after the Department of Economic Security announced budget cuts about a week ago. According to Southwest Human Development, the cuts would take away state-funded speech, occupational and physical therapy for these children, and essentially leave them without these therapies as they are too young to receive federal funding.

Parents like Shawnie Huff say they can't afford to wait three years. Huff has three children with down syndrome. Five-year-old Tyler knows how to write his name on his own. His older sister Tia is functioning in a normal first grade classroom despite both of them having down syndrome. Huff said these accomplishments would be impossible if it weren't for the therapy they received since they were just a few months old. "I can't imagine my kids not having it, because I know the growth that they did in the first three years," she said.

Developmentally disabled children are eligible for federal funding once they turn three, but that delay could end up costing the state more in the long-run. "There's a tremendous amount of research that says early intervention makes a huge difference," said Dr. Trudi Norman-Murch of Southwest Human Development. "Every dollar you spend helping children during the first few years pays off tremendously...just purely economically in terms of how much special ed they need later on, how much help they need in being independent."

Huff and her husband adopted two-year-old Max nine months ago and have seen major progress in his development. He also has down syndrome, and Huff said she can't imagine him no longer receiving therapy. "I keep telling my husband I hope I know enough," said Huff.

DES said all the cuts are difficult, but they have to manage within the resources the state gives them. The cuts are set to take effect March 1st. But advocates and parents are appealing to lawmakers and the governor to reconsider.

"Filing decries (DDD) disability funding cuts" in Arizona

Story found here: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/28/20090228dessuit0228.html

A coalition seeking to block steep service cuts for about 4,000 people living with disabilities will try to convince a judge next week that the state acted improperly.

The group, which includes service providers and their clients, filed a complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court on Friday seeking a temporary restraining order. If granted, the order would prevent the Department of Economic Security from reducing services provided through its Division of Developmental Disabilities.

About 4,000 people are scheduled to lose services Sunday as the result of cuts made in the wake of the Legislature's $1.6 billion budget fix earlier this year.

"What the state is proposing to do is to pull the rug out from under . . . some of our most vulnerable citizens," said John Dacey, attorney for the plaintiffs.

On Friday, Dacey argued that the Legislature violated the Constitution in January when it instructed DES to reduce its budget by $43 million.

Plaintiffs told the court that the Legislature improperly delegated its authority to the agency, which is part of the executive branch.

Lawyers for the state responded by saying that it has been the Legislature's standard practice to appropriate "lump sums" to state agencies and allow them to decide how to spend or cut money.

Judge Joseph Heilman scheduled a hearing for Monday to further discuss the issue. He declined to issue a restraining order Friday, saying a few days' delay would not cause irreparable harm to the plaintiffs.

A local mom speaks out on television about the cuts affecting her family.

On Channel 3: DES cuts mean ending programs helping the Valley's disabled

2010 AZ State Budget ALERT!

THE ARC OF ARIZONA

FY 2010 STATE BUDGET ALERT

(click above for more info!)

February, 2009

To balance the FY 2009 state budget, devastating cuts were made to services for persons with developmental disabilities.

· Nearly 100 DDD employees have been terminated following a lengthy “freeze” on filling many job vacancies, and all remaining DDD employees have been furloughed so they will be working less. Caseloads will exceed the mandated 1:39.5 ratio. DDD will not be able to comply with case management, timeliness, monitoring, medical and quality management services.

· All state funding for early intervention services was eliminated, so that therapy and other services for 850 children will either be lost or reduced.

· All non-residential state-only services will be suspended in March. More than 4,000 individuals will lose their services, such as habilitation, therapies, employment supports, attendant care, respite and transportation.

· Provider rates are reduced across-the-board by 10%. Many expect this will result in the loss of already scarce providers and services in the rural communities.

· DES will NOT be able to investigate all reports of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and children.

We MUST let our Governor and legislators know how these cuts are affecting individuals and families and we MUST tell them that these types of cuts cannot be continued in FY 2010. They are working on the FY 2010 budget NOW. PLEASE tell our lawmakers your stories and tell them to preserve vital services for persons with developmental disabilities.

· Services for Arizonans with developmental disabilities and their families are life-sustaining necessities and a vital investment in our community.

· Persons with disabilities and their families are already facing economic stress and insecurity, with high rates of unemployment and rising transportation and food costs.

· All reasonable revenue generating options should be utilized to resolve the budget deficit, including bonding, and critical services for Arizonans with disabilities should be spared from cuts. Such cuts will severely burden these individuals and their families, and could result in greater costs associated with institutional and emergency room care.

PLEASE HELP US HELP

VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

· Call the Governor Jan Brewer (602-542-4331 or 800-253-0883) and tell her to protect DES/DDD from further devastation.

· Contact Republican Leadership and tell them the same:

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP

Senate President – Bob Burns (Peoria), rburns@azleg.gov, 602-926-5993

Majority Leader – Chuck Gray (Mesa), cgray@azleg.gov, 602-926-5288

Majority Whip – Pamela Gorman (Anthem), pgorman@azleg.gov, 602-926-5248

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP

Speaker of the House – Kirk Adams (Mesa), kadams@azleg.gov, 602-926-5495

Majority Leader – John McComish (Ahwatukee), jmccomish@azleg.gov, 602-926-5898

Majority Whip – Andy Tobin (Paulden), atobin@azleg.gov, 602-926-5172

· Contact your legislators and make sure you tell them if you live or work in their District. (To find out who your legislators are and how to reach them, contact the House of Representatives Information Desk at 602-926-4221 or 1-800-352-8404.)

Please Send your personal stories to...

The Arc of Arizona at thearcaz@gmail.com

5610 S. Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Phone: 602-234-2721

Fax: 602-234-5959

(Requests for Confidentiality will be Honored)

Concise info re: DDD cuts and how to contact government leaders!

http://www.swhd.org/documents/CutsinServicesforwebsite.pdf

Speak out via the Children's Action Alliance!

Use Fed Stimulus to Restore DES Cuts

http://action.voiceshub.org/campaign/fedstimulus_DEScuts/

CONTACT YOUR STATE LEADERS!

CONTACT YOUR STATE LEADERS!(posting on a parent support message board)29,000 DISABLED ARIZONANS ARE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR FUNDING!

29,000 of Arizona's neediest, most vulnerable people - people with disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy - are about to become victims of state budget cuts.

These are people whose lives and welfare depend on services they can't begin to afford on their own. Services they get from agencies throughout Arizona that provide people with disabilities with housing, health maintenance services, personal care, training for jobs, and many, many other essential services that the state wants to cut!

The state of Arizona wants to take away funds from these vulnerable people - cutting 10 % from the funds used by service providers to help the disabled. This will put many service provider agencies at risk of closing down - and put people with disabilities at the severest risk.

We say NO! Many people with disabilities who depend on services can't speak for themselves, so we need to speak for them - and we need you to speak with us!

Call, write, email, or fax Governor Jan Brewer and tell her you don't want budget cuts for your neighbors and fellow citizens with disabilities.

PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN! STAND UP FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS!

The Honorable Janice Brewer
Governor of Arizona
Office of the Governor
1700 West Washington Street
Capitol Executive Tower - 9th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Email: azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp
Telephone (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
Fax (602) 542-1381

The Honorable John Kavanagh
Chair, Committee on Appropriations
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 West Washington Street - Room 114
Phoenix AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-5170
Fax Number: (602) 417-3108
Email: jkavanagh@azleg.gov

The Honorable Andy Biggs
Vice Chair, Committee on Appropriations
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington - Room 312
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-4371
Fax Number: (602) 417-3022
Email: abiggs@azleg.gov

The Honorable Rick Murphy
Chair, Committee on Ways and Means
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington - Room 111
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-3255
Fax Number: (602) 417-3009
Email: rmurphy@azleg.gov

The Honorable Debbie Lesko
Vice Chair, Committee on Ways and Means
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington - Room 129
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-5413
Fax Number: (602) 417-3109
Email: dlesko@azleg.gov

The Honorable Russell Pearce
Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
Arizona Senate
1700 W. Washington - Room 110
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-5760
Fax Number: (602) 417-3118
Email: rpearce@azleg.gov

The Honorable Al Melvin
Vice Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
Arizona Senate
1700 W. Washington - Room 303
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-4326
Fax Number: (602) 417-3259
Email: amelvin@azleg.gov

The Honorable Jim Waring
Chair, Senate Finance Committee
Arizona Senate
1700 W. Washington - Room 302
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-4916
Fax Number: (602) 417-3250
Email: jwaring@azleg.gov

The Honorable Barbara Leff
Vice Chair, Senate Finance Committee
Arizona Senate1700 W. Washington - Room 302
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-4486
Fax Number: (602) 417-3270(N.B.: Senator Leff is a professional clinical social worker.)

AZ DEPT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY
Linda Blessing
Interim DirectorDepartment of Economic Security
1717 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix AZ 85007
Phone 602-542-5678