There is a "Public Notice" posted on their site in regards to an application of funds and changes to the AZEIP program that they want to institute. The link to the site is here:
https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/main.aspx?menu=98&id=3638
It looks like there is going be a series of "public hearings" to "discuss" these issues
Persons submitting comments on specific items in the application should indicate support, opposition, suggested changes, additions, or deletions pertaining to the specific item. Input received by DES/AzEIP by 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2009 will be considered. If you are unable to access the application electronically, please contact DES/AzEIP at (602) 532-9960; toll-free at (888) 439-5609, or by e-mail at AllAzeip2@azdes.gov.
One of my concerns is their proposed "Family Cost Participation Policy" it goes as follows:
AzEIP will institute a Family Cost Participation (FCP), this would require that families whose children receive services from AzEIP and DDD (but not ASDB) families making over 200% of the federal poverty level will pay 15% of the costs of their child's services (therapies, not service coordination, evalutions/assessments or IFSP development) and then it will increase by 5% to 100% of the costs.
I don't really know where we would fit in all of this, but I find it disturbing to say the least. I looked through the policy, it just says that they use your tax return and a calculation (with no real detail) as to how they determine your income. It doesn't discuss whether or not they fit your expenses into the equation, or what happens if you can't pay, or what your and your child's rights are if you can't pay. It also does not mention how those with private insurance fit into their little equation either.
Then there is the phrase "and then it will increase by 5% to 100% of the costs" Huh? How often does it increase, how do they decide the interval of the increase, how do they determine whether or not it increases? Where does private insurance fit in? How do they fit your medical expenses in?
For a change, it looks shady and makes absolutely no sense.
Personally, I don't like being told what I can and cannot afford by someone else, aside from the fact that my son is legally disabled and has a right to edcuational services, it seems comprable to requiring parents to pay for public school, forcing people to pay for things they have a right to under the law does not make sense to me. Never mind the fact the people that pay the most in taxes have to pay the most for their services. There is nothing indicating any tax breaks or implications either, would these services quailfy as a deduction? Who knows?
Here is link to some info I was able to find on the Federal Poverty Line they they are thinking of using:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09poverty.shtml
There are also going to be "hearings" on this issue the info is following:
Phoenix
May 8, 2009 2:30-3:30 p.m.
AZ DOT – HRDC Grand Canyon Rooms 1&2 1130 N. 22nd Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85009
Flagstaff
May 26, 2009 2:00-4:00 p.m.
East Flagstaff Community Library Meeting Room 3000 N. Fourth Street, Suite 5 Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phoenix
May 27, 2009 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Yucca Library Meeting Room 5648 N. 15th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85015
Tucson
May 28, 2009 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Himmel Park Branch Library Meeting Room 1035 N. Treat Avenue Tucson, AZ 85716
Anyone notice that all of these hearings are taking place during business hours? Those of us that have jobs might not be able to attend, or will have to take off of work, as if people that have special needs children don't have to take enough time off of work already. I'm going to try to go to at least one, and I'm going to write them too, I would love input on how we can best word our objections. Let me know what you all think!
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