In December 2024, the JLBC met and gave an unfavorable review of the DDD and AHCCCS budget spending. They discussed at length how funds were allocated and scrutinized the Parents as Paid Caregivers (PPCG) program. On January 29, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee met to continue discussing the budget deficits and the Governor's budget recommendations for DDD and DES. During that meeting, Representative Livingston suggested that additional appropriations would not be given to DDD until the final budget was passed. He also explicitly stated that he wanted to see the DDD and DES budgets cut by 25% in order to balance the budget. When asked if he was suggesting cutting services for disabled individuals to balance the budget, he confirmed, "Yes!"
A recording of the January 29th Appropriations Committee Meeting:
https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?clientID=6361162879&eventID=2025011093
Right now, there is a budget deficit, and funds will run out in May and June 2025 for all DDD programs and services if appropriation funding is not provided by our legislature before then. Next year’s budget (which begins July 1, 2025) offers potential room for negotiation within the legislature and governor's office. Cutting the Parents as Paid Caregivers program won’t change the bottom line.
In January 2025, DDD and AHCCCS circulated a slide deck explaining the complex reasons for their cost increases. These slides were attempted to be presented at the Appropriations Committee meeting on January 29, 2025, but only the first two slides were shown.
During the House Appropriations Committee meetings in January and February 2025, misinformation about the Parents as Paid Caregivers (PPCG) program led to false assumptions. The program was wrongly blamed for rising DDD service costs, and its inclusion in the 1115 waiver was questioned. In reality, Arizona’s low wages and inability to staff Direct Care Worker (DCW) positions left a critical gap—one that parents of minor DDD children stepped in to fill. With wages still far below the national average, there is no alternative workforce to take on these essential roles.
PPCG Timeline
Supporting AZ Families - Ask and Cost Saving Solutions
2025 Arizona Caregiver Study Results
Explanation of the 1115 Waiver Authority
YouTube - AZ Caregiver Documentary Video
Joint Disability Organizations Statement
DDD Cost Drivers Slide Deck
Cost Savings of HCBS Programs
Caregiver Stories
https://www.instagram.com/advocacyinactionaz?
https://www.tiktok.com/@advocacyinactionaz?
https://www.change.org/p/support-gap-funding-for-arizona-s-division-of-developmental-disabilities?
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