1. Arizona Department of Economic Security Overview
Leslie Cohen, JD, Director Sonoran University Center on Disabilities, Vice Chair Community Outreach and Engagement

2. Sonoran UCEDD Bridge between university and community
Engaged in disability related research, education, policy development, model programs, and information dissemination

3. AZ DES Purpose Temporary assistance for those in need
Care for the vulnerable

5. DES PROGRAM AREAS Temporary Assistance for those in Need
Caring for the Vulnerable
Developmental Disabilities
Aging and Adult Services
Temporary Assistance for those in Need
Basic Needs Benefits and Assistance
Employment & Rehabilitation Services
Community Services
Child Support Services
Note data contained in PowerPoint from AZ Des Overview PPT(2016)

6. DES does not cover:
Department of Child Safety (Child Protective Services) stand alone agency since 2014.
Behavioral health services are part of AHCCCS (administered by RBHA)
Health Care Services Medicaid (AHCCCS) – DES only handles eligibility

7. FY 16 Total Funds by Source & By General Fund Amounts
DES Overview PPT 2015

8. Division of Developmental Disabilities (Eligibility)
Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) – birth to 3 yrs who exhibit developmental delays
ALTCS DD – one of four conditions (epilepsy, cognitive disability, autism or cerebral palsy) impacts 3 major live activities and financial requirements.
State Only DD – not meeting ALTCS eligibility.
Serves: over 30,000 Arizonans Statewide

9. Division of Developmental Disabilities (Services)
AzEIP – research demonstrates that the earlier therapies and interventions are implemented for a child with developmental delays the more likely to achieve positive long term outcomes.
In 2015, almost 6000 children in AZ
received team based intervention in
the community.

10. Division of Developmental Disabilities (Services)
ALTCS DD: majority of individuals on DDD are ALTCS eligible and receive services based on individual needs including habilitation, therapies, day programming, in home services, and employment supports.
ALTCS State Only: limited funding since Approx individuals receive more limited services.
Arizona a leader in community living: 87% live in own home (instead of institution)

11. Division of Developmental Disabilities (Possible Issues)
Rate hike requests for service providers due to increase in State minimum wage.
Looking at Arizona State Training Program at Coolidge long-term closure.

12. Aging and Adult FY 2015, 13,793reports resulted in investigations
Adult Protective Services
Vulnerable adult (people 18 years of age and older) who are the victims of neglect, abuse or exploitation.
Hotline and investigations
FY 2015, 13,793reports resulted in investigations

13. Aging and Adult Independent Living Support Services
Senior Community Services
Employment

14. Basic Needs and Benefits Assistance
Eligibility Determinations (areas where DES determines client eligibility but does not provide the actual services, supports, or benefits)
Medicaid/AHCCCS – 1.5 million on program
Social Security Disability—88,000 applications processed

15. Basic Needs and Benefits Assistance
Eligibility Determination AND Client benefits:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)formerly known as Food Stamps
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

16. SNAP – nutrition purchasing assistance
Very low income families and children
Funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture
Purchases restricted to: food products. No alcohol, cleaning products, over the counter meds, prepared meals (unless part of an elderly nutrition program).
48% of recipients children, $4 a day avg amount

17. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Temporary cash assistance and support services to poor families
Eligibility: no more than $347 per month for a family of three
Benefit: no more than $278 per month for family of three
Must participate in Jobs Program

18. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
FY 2015 – 27,000 individuals on TANF (3/4 children)
In 2017 – AZ reduced lifetime benefit to 12 months (federal is 60 months)
ISSUE: current reduction has not saved $$ for Arizona (while on TANF state receives child support for individual and fed funding). AZ shortest length of benefit in U.S.A.

19. Employment and Rehabilitation
Unemployment Insurance
Workforce Development and Investment
Rehabilitation (Independent Living and Voc Rehab)
Veterans Services

20. Unemployment Compensation
Lost job through no fault of employee
Maximum benefit: $240 per week/26 weeks
Must actively seek work

21. Workforce Development and Investment
Work
Workforce Investment Programs
Veterans Assistance
Childcare for Working families

22. Vocational Rehabilitation
Provides for those with disabilities who need assistance in order to obtain or retain employment:
Counseling
Job Training/Education
Assistive Technology
Job placement
In 2015 – 1626 clients obtained employment/16,000 received services

23. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Federal law reauthorized in 2016
Stresses preparing youth for job market
Agencies working together to increase employment for youth and people with disabilities.

24. Community Services and DES
Domestic Violence
Coordination of Homeless Services
Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Eviction Prevention
Child Support Collection

25. Resources Arizona DES https://des.az.gov/
(note all programs described in detail)
AGING
Area Agencies on Aging
Arizona Center on Aging
AARP -
Alzheimer's Association
Gov. Advisory Council on Aging

26. Resources DISABILITY Independent Living Centers http://azsilc.org/
University Centers on Disabilities and
Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
Arizona Center for Disability Law
Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities
ARC of Arizona
Arizona Disability Coalition

27. Resources Families in need
Protecting AZ Families Coalition
Arizona Childcare Association
Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness

28. Thank You!
Leslie Cohen, JD Director Sonoran UCEDD Interim Vice Chair Community Outreach and Engagement Family and Community Medicine University of Arizona