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!

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)