Thursday, March 5, 2009

Arizona DDD cuts are official

Well we finally received a letter yesterday from Department of Economic Security.   The letter states that due to a 150 million dollar shortfall all of Maya's services will be discontinued. Ironically this will take in effect on March 13, 2009 (Maya's birthday).

At this point our only hope is to have Maya qualify for Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). We have already started the process. However many times it is very difficult to quality until the age of 3. We also will send a letter and voice our disagreement to DDD (Division of Developmental Disabilities) for an administrative review. I have heard we have a right to dispute this letter 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. I hope this is the case and our services will be restored.

Thank you all for sending us your thoughts and prayers and personally writing the Governor and local representatives. We cannot give up the fight and must continue to voice our concerns. My fear is that once they have done away with this program they will not bring it back. It is so sad that they will let our children suffer like this.

Below is a blog with the latest news and info on this subject.  I have found it very helpful.
http://takeactioninaz.blogspot.com/

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