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Personalize and send an email to Arizona Legislators. Also share this Call to Action with your friends, family and other network connections. Every voice matters.

Subject: Caregiver Perspective: Protecting Stability and Access in the DDD Supplemental

To: There is a list of legislators at the bottom of this sample email. If you don't know who your legislators are, please go here or visit the "find legislators" tab above.

Also send the email to Governor Hobbs through her website: https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/form/contact-governor-hobbs

SAMPLE EMAIL: 

Dear [Legislator’s Name],

I am a caregiver to a loved one who receives services through Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). I’m writing to ask for your support on a supplemental funding package that protects our ability to access consistent, safe, and appropriate care.

Our community has been living in a state of crisis since January—facing staff shortages, service cuts, and an overwhelming amount of uncertainty. Many of us rely on the Parents as Paid Caregivers (PPCG) program to keep our loved ones safe at home. This isn’t about convenience—it’s about survival.

We know that the Legislature is working on a path forward, and we want to be part of the solution. The following recommendations reflect a compromise supported by many families, providers, and bipartisan legislators. They offer the oversight, structure, and accountability some are asking for—while preserving the care that so many of us depend on:

• Oversight & Transparency
  • Require AHCCCS to notify the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) of any proposed changes to the 1115 Medicaid waiver. This ensures the Legislature has visibility into program changes and can act when necessary.
  • Require a new HCBS assessment that ensures every Attendant Care and Habilitation hour authorized for members meets the standard of extraordinary care. 

• 40-Hour Cap for PPCG
  • Limit PPCG providers to a 40-hour weekly cap per child, effective July 1, 2025.
    Total hours must remain based on the child’s assessed needs and cannot exceed the authorized care plan.

• Data & Reporting Requirements
  • Require quarterly reports from AHCCCS and DDD beginning July 1, 2025, including:
    • Number of PPCG participants
    • Authorized vs. utilized hours
    • EVV data on delivery by provider type (PPCG vs. non-PPCG)
    • Require annual reports on vendor call fulfillment, hospitalization rates, and incident reporting across the DDD system.

• Responsible Funding Source
  • The supplemental should not draw from other vulnerable groups or critical services. The proposed use of the Prescription Drug Rebate Fund and general fund authority is a responsible approach that avoids further harm.
  • 
    

For many of us, the PPCG program is the only consistent care our child or family member receives. Without it, we’d face hospitalization, institutionalization, or complete burnout. This program is working—and it can work better with the added oversight and structure proposed above.

Please stand with Arizona families and DDD members. We want a sustainable path forward, and we are offering a reasonable, good-faith compromise to get there.

Thank you for your leadership and for taking the time to hear our voices.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Relationship to DDD Member, e.g. Parent, Caregiver]
[Your Contact Information]
[Optional: Your Legislative District]
 

All AZ legislator email addresses: LAUSTIN@azleg.gov, LALSTON@azleg.gov, HANGIUS@azleg.gov, aabeytia@azleg.gov, caguilar@azleg.gov, jake.hoffman@azleg.gov, WBLACKMAN@azleg.gov, SBLATTMAN@azleg.gov, lbiasiucci@azleg.gov, sbliss@azleg.gov, sbolick@azleg.gov, fbravo@azleg.gov, eburch@azleg.gov, mcarbone@azleg.gov, ncarter@azleg.gov, pcarter@azleg.gov, jcavero@azleg.gov, jchaplik@azleg.gov, jconnolly@azleg.gov, lcontreras@azleg.gov, pcontreras@azleg.gov, qcrews@azleg.gov, fcarroll@azleg.gov, LDIAZ@azleg.gov, odelossantos@azleg.gov, tdunn@azleg.gov, MEPSTEIN@azleg.gov, BFERNANDEZ@azleg.gov, MFINCHEM@azleg.gov, DFARNSWORTH@azleg.gov, lfink@azleg.gov, NGUTIERREZ@azleg.gov, MGRESS@azleg.gov, bgarcia@azleg.gov, jgillette@azleg.gov, ggriffin@azleg.gov, rgabaldon@azleg.gov, sgonzales@azleg.gov, dgowan@azleg.gov, rheap@azleg.gov, lhendrix@azleg.gov, ahernandez@azleg.gov, chernandez@azleg.gov, lhernandez@azleg.gov, thatathlie@azleg.gov, LKUBY@azleg.gov, JKAVANAGH@azleg.gov, rkeshel@azleg.gov, akolodin@azleg.gov, nkupper@azleg.gov, CLOPEZ@azleg.gov, DLIVINGSTON@azleg.gov, VLEACH@azleg.gov, sliguori@azleg.gov, eluna-Najera@azleg.gov, vleach@azleg.gov, amarquez@azleg.gov, dmarshall@azleg.gov, tmartinez@azleg.gov, cmathis@azleg.gov, smontenegro@azleg.gov, jmesnard@azleg.gov, cmiranda@azleg.gov, QNGUYEN@azleg.gov, analise.ortiz@azleg.gov, JOLSON@azleg.gov, mpena@azleg.gov, mpeshlakai@azleg.gov, bpingerelli@azleg.gov, kpowell@azleg.gov, kpayne@azleg.gov, wpetersen@azleg.gov, TRIVERO@azleg.gov, wrogers@azleg.gov, MSANDOVAL@azleg.gov, SStahlhamilton@azleg.gov, ssimacek@azleg.gov, jshamp@azleg.gov, tshope@azleg.gov, psundareshan@azleg.gov, STRAVERS@azleg.gov, jtaylor@azleg.gov, mtsosie@azleg.gov, KVOLK@azleg.gov, bvillegas@azleg.gov, eva.diaz@azleg.gov, MWAY@azleg.gov, JWENINGER@azleg.gov, JWILLOUGHBY@azleg.gov

 Weigh  in on bills from the comfort of your couch! Arizona’s Request to Speak  (RTS) is an online tool that lets everyday citizens give Arizona state  lawmakers our feedback on bills. It’s an easy way to get involved in  state politics, stay informed on the bills that directly affect us, and  make sure our elected officials honor the wishes of us, their  constituents. 

What you enter on the RTS is submitted as documentation on the bill. It is a very powerful way to have your position heard and documented on record. 

This does take patience - There are literal people at the capitol who will take your application and get your registered, so this can take some time. Create your account immediately as we only have hours left. There is no guarantee that there is enough time to get your account, but it's worth trying, so please do. 

https://www.cebv.us/rts.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawJk-OlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHg3FkDhu5VMNN-YuvhWgl9b66NqEX7EdyuSKACXtG5pwlqZUMwYBu50C3A7a_aem_N23_RAHVUqvrF3pApYbB2Q

Once you have your account: 

1) Log in

2) On the homepage click "New Request" 

3) Go to COMMITTEE click "select a committee" and in the dropdown select "Appropriations" 

4) Enter HB2945 and click SEARCH (when finished come back and search for SB1734)

5) Check to make sure it brought up the correct bill and click the "ADD REQUEST" 

6) The first question asks for your "Position on the Bill" as a thumbs up, thumbs down, or neutral. If you oppose the bill you would click "thumbs down," if you have a different position you would enter that here. 

7) Next "Do you wish to speak" -  It's fine to click "no."

8) Under comments, write why you feel the way you do about the bill. 

9) Click Submit and repeat these steps for SB1734

 Phone Call Script: 

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a [parent/caregiver/community member/provider] calling from [City/Town]. I’m reaching out to ask Senator/Representative [Last Name] to support a responsible and sustainable DDD supplemental funding package.

Our community has developed a balanced proposal that strengthens oversight, ensures accountability, and protects access to essential services for individuals with developmental disabilities.  We want to see the following items in the bill:

• Oversight & Transparency
  • Require AHCCCS to notify the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) of any proposed changes to the 1115 Medicaid waiver. This ensures the Legislature has visibility into program changes and can act when necessary.

• 40-Hour Cap for PPCG
  • Limit PPCG providers to a 40-hour weekly cap per child, effective July 1, 2025.
    Total hours must remain based on the child’s assessed needs and cannot exceed the authorized care plan.

• Data & Reporting Requirements
  • Require quarterly reports from AHCCCS and DDD beginning July 1, 2025, including:
    • Number of PPCG participants
    • Authorized vs. utilized hours
    • EVV data on delivery by provider type (PPCG vs. non-PPCG)
    • Require annual reports on vendor call fulfillment, hospitalization rates, and incident reporting across the DDD system.

• Responsible Funding Source
  • The supplemental should not draw from other vulnerable groups or critical services. The proposed use of the Prescription Drug Rebate Fund and general fund authority is a responsible approach that avoids further harm.

This is a thoughtful compromise supported by families, providers, and bipartisan legislators. Please urge [Senator/Representative Last Name] to support a clean supplemental bill with these protections.

Thank you for your time and for supporting Arizona’s disability community. 

End of call

If you only have time for 3 Phone Calls - Call your 3 District Legislators 

HOW TO FIND YOUR DISTRICT AND LEGISLATORS: 

1. Click Link: https://www.azleg.gov/findmylegislator/
2. Under instruction 2.1 select “Click Here” to find your legislative district
3. Enter your street address, identify which district number you live in
4. Return to https://www.azleg.gov/findmylegislator/ and select “Click Here” on number 3 
5. You will be taken to the “Arizona State Legislature Member Roster.” You will want to locate  your specific legislators by identifying them through their district number. Each of us should have 2 House of Representative members and at least one Senate member. You will want to reach out to all of them.

If you only have time for 6 Calls - Call these Legislators 

1. Senator Mark Finchem - 602-926-3631
2. Senator John Kavanagh - 602-926-5170
3. Senator Warren Petersen - 602-926-4136
4. Representative Selina Bliss - 602-926-4018
5. Representative Steve Montenegro - 602-926-3635
6. Representative Julie Willoughby - 602-926-4153

If you only have time for 13 Calls - Call these Legislators 

1. Senator Mark Finchem - 602-926-3631
2. Senator Jake Hoffman - 602-926-3292
3. Senator Dave Farnsworth - 602-926-3387
4. Senator John Kavanagh - 602-926-5170
5. Senator Janae Shamp - 602-926-3499
6. Senator T.J. Shope - 602-926-3012
7. Senator Warren Petersen - 602-926-4136
8. Representative Walt Blackman - 602-926-3244
9. Representative Selina Bliss - 602-926-4018
10. Representative Matt Gress - 602-926-4105
11. Representative Steve Montenegro - 602-926-3635
12. Representative David Livingston - 602-926-4178
13. Representative Julie Willoughby - 602-926-4153

If you have time - Call all Legislators in the House and Senate, and then call all Democrats in the House and Senate. 

Senate Roster - https://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=S#

House Rooster - https://www.azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=H

 Throughout these ACTION ITEMS we have asked that you share your personal story and experiences with our legislators. Outlined below are some tips and ideas on how to craft your story as you convey it to a variety of organizations, elected officials, media representatives and department employees. 

1. Write out your story in 2-3 paragraphs and practice speaking it out loud. 
2. Begin with a “Thank you” to whoever you are speaking with.
3. Keep your story short, concise and impactful. 
4. Things to include in your story: 
   1. In the beginning, share a brief introduction of yourself and your child with disabilities. 
   2. Explain the difficulties of trying to get or maintain non-family providers or the vital services your disabled loved one receives. 
5. End your story with an “ask” and a “Thank you.” 
   1. The “ask” should be a specific action that you wish that individual to take. 
6. Try to keep your story and “ask” to 3 minutes or less. 

Here are some examples of questions you can ask when speaking with elected officials or other relevant decision makers: 

1. Can I count on your support?
2. Will you reach out to the Governor and AHCCCS on my behalf?
3. Will you support our advocacy efforts for funding the DDD and ALTCS budget? 

If they answer yes to the above questions you can follow up with: 

1. Can I share your support on social media? 
2. What is the best way to follow up and send you additional information regarding this grassroots advocacy movement? 

If they answer no to the above questions you can follow up with: 

1. “Thank you for your time”