Arizona Families Face Funding Cuts for Disabled Children’s Care Amid Policy Changes
PHOENIX — Families in Arizona who are caring for children with disabilities are expressing their concerns following recent modifications to state funding policies for essential services. As of Wednesday, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) implemented new assessment protocols for attendant care and habilitation services for minors, changes that arise from funding regulations aimed at preventing a financial shortfall within the program.
Under the updated policies, the state will no longer evaluate children under the age of 10 for needs related to attendant care, a service that provides support staff to ensure safe and healthy living environments for children with disabilities. Additionally, new age-based restrictions have been introduced for habilitation services—therapeutic interventions intended to help children develop vital life skills.
These modifications mean families will now be responsible for covering the costs associated with these crucial support services. Furthermore, parents who previously received compensation for providing these services within a state program will no longer be eligible for reimbursement, leaving many in precarious financial positions.
Holly Brittain, a certified caregiver, voiced her frustration regarding these changes while reflecting on her experience caring for her daughter, who requires constant assistance. “In my opinion, it’s discriminatory,” Brittain stated. “They should be evaluating based on need rather than age. My daughter is nearly seven, but she needs hands-on help for basic tasks like washing her hands—skills that most children her age have already mastered.”
Brittain expressed concern that these alterations could lead to a loss of skilled caregivers and place additional financial hardship on families who are already navigating the complex challenges of caring for a child with disabilities. “It’s devastating. All parents are going to drown because of this, especially the kids,” she lamented.
In response to the backlash, AHCCCS acknowledged the apprehensions voiced by families and emphasized that the adjustments to the assessment tools were necessary to adhere to state legislation and federal directives, particularly guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). A representative for AHCCCS stated, “The revised assessment tool is designed to ensure consistency, equity, and alignment with medical necessity standards across all members receiving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). We are mandated by law to implement this strengthened assessment tool effective today, as outlined in the state budget.”
As Arizona continues to navigate the complexities of providing care for children with disabilities, the implications of these policy changes raise significant questions about the state’s commitment to ensuring equitable and adequate support for vulnerable families. The balance between fiscal responsibility and the welfare of disabled children remains a critical issue for policymakers and advocates alike.
