“Arizona submitted its STP to CMS on October 20, 2015. CMS has completed the initial review of the STP and has some questions and requests regarding the transition timeframe, the public notice processes, public comments described in the STP, and the person-centered planning process described in the STP. C MS is continuing with a more in -depth review of the STP and will be providing additional detailed feedback. This document includes a summary of current issues.”
Arizona Disability Benefits 101 – Finding the Right Job for You
This webpage serves as a guide for people with disabilities in Arizona to understand their various employment options. It includes traditional work options, self-employment, temporary employment, customized employment and telecommuting or telework.
“With over 1.6 million Arizonans enrolled in AHCCCS, Medicaid has a far greater responsibility for impacting population health. Despite past innovation, we have an opportunity and obligation to do more. The goals of Modernizing Arizona Medicaid are to: (1) Engage Arizonans to take charge of their health; (2) Make Medicaid a temporary option; and (3) Promote a quality product at the most affordable price.
AHCCCS will seek waiver authority to implement new programs and processes to carry this momentum forward to meet future challenges and respond to current economic realities through the AHCCCS CARE plan…
The Waiver allows Arizona to run its unique and successful managed care model and exempts Arizona from certain provisions of the Social Security Act. It also includes expenditure authority for costs not otherwise matched by the federal government. Waiver programs are required to be budget neutral for the federal government − not cost more federal dollars than without a waiver. Specifically, the Waiver allows Arizona to:
Mandate managed care;
Provide Long Term Care Services in home and community-based settings rather than more costly institutions; and
“This is a free early resolution option available to both IEP teams and parents of children with disabilities. Participation is voluntary and both parties must agree to have a neutral, independent facilitator attend the IEP meeting. The facilitator is tasked with keeping the meeting focused on developing an IEP that is reasonably calculated to provide the student with a FAPE.”
Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program: The Basics
~~“The Ticket to Work Program is a federal program that helps Social Security beneficiaries with a disability reach their employment goals. Designed for beneficiaries aged 18 – 64 who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Ticket to Work offers a variety of services to help you get a job. These services can include: • Vocational rehabilitation • Training • Referrals • Job coaching • Job counseling • Placement services The services offered through the Ticket to Work Program help you to find and apply for jobs that already exist in the marketplace—it is not linked to special jobs for Social Security beneficiaries.”
Arizona Community of Practice on Transition (AZCoPT)
“The Arizona Community of Practice on Transition (AzCoPT) team meets regularly to collaborate, develop, and coordinate transition services, professional development, and resources related to improving the transition experience for youth who have disabilities. The Arizona Community of Practice on Transition is dedicated to the practice of shared leadership and using Leading by Convening as a framework to guide our work.”
“DES Spotlight: Mental Health Disorders and Job Placement Through Vocational Rehabilitation”
~~“According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness(link is external), approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year and approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
There are those who suffer from psychiatric issues every day, yet still function in society and even manage to hold down jobs. Studies have suggested that of 25 chronic physical and mental issues, depression has the most financial impact on employers, even outweighing medical and pharmacy costs for employees.
As one of the State's largest agencies, the Department of Economic Security (DES) serves approximately 2.2 million people a year, with job services being a major component. One of the ways DES can assist those with mental health disorders, particularly those applying for jobs, is by simply trying to understand life from their perspective”
“DES Spotlight: Mental Health Disorders and Job Placement Through Vocational Rehabilitation”
~~“According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness(link is external), approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year and approximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
There are those who suffer from psychiatric issues every day, yet still function in society and even manage to hold down jobs. Studies have suggested that of 25 chronic physical and mental issues, depression has the most financial impact on employers, even outweighing medical and pharmacy costs for employees.
As one of the State's largest agencies, the Department of Economic Security (DES) serves approximately 2.2 million people a year, with job services being a major component. One of the ways DES can assist those with mental health disorders, particularly those applying for jobs, is by simply trying to understand life from their perspective”
Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC) Grants
“One of the main purposes of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council is to issue competitive grants based on the goals of our Five-Year State Plan: Self-advocacy, Integrated Employment and Inclusion. In addition, the ADDPC follows a process for soliciting, reviewing and awarding grant applications consistent with state laws, administrative rules and regulations for grants, and procurement administration.”
“The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program has resources to help individuals living with mental illness thrive in school and the workplace, and live independently. DERS also provides services to individuals dealing with serious mental illness (SMI) who utilize the resources of many behavioral health clinics throughout the state.”
