DES OFFICE OF TRIBAL RELATIONS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER JANUARY - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2023

NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS AND UPDATES

Learn about DES programs and services and updates about our services. Featured in this edition are updates for program eligibility, application processes and services available to tribal members and communities.

DIVISION OF AGING & ADULT SERVICES

2023 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference

Elder abuse, neglect and exploitation are serious problems in Arizona and around the world. It is everyone’s responsibility to try to prevent maltreatment and report suspected incidents of these kinds to the appropriate authorities. Recognizing the importance of shining a spotlight on these issues, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations launched World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to gain and share a better understanding of the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic factors that contribute to this crisis.

The DES Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) helps at-risk Arizonans meet their basic needs and provides the tools and resources to enable them to live safely, with dignity and independence. One of the ways DAAS fulfills this mission is by hosting an annual WEAAD conference for individual residents, professional organizations and communities to connect and advocate for the protection of aging adults and those 18 and older who have disabilities. The conference will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Desert Willow Conference Center 4340 E. Cotton Center Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85040.

This is an important opportunity for those serving such communities, including governments, service providers, nonprofit and for-profit organizations to network, discover innovative practices, and share information and resources. These individuals and organizations learn from experts on vital topics including providing quality care to older adults, dementia and its ties to elder abuse, as well as technological safety for seniors.

The conference will include sessions with subject matter experts and national leaders addressing the three conference focus areas. Current sessions include:

See It:

• Mental Health vs. Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cross Sectional Care Coordination for Low Income Populations
• Technology Scams and Savvy Scammers

Stop It:

• Panel: APS, Region One and AHCCCS
• Underreporting Abuse in Minority Communities (LGTBQ+, Rural, Refugees etc.)
• Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)

Prevent It:

• Family Caregiver Support Programs and Services
• Elder Abuse Coalitions: How They Work Together and Develop Prevention Strategies
• Panel: Coordination of Care for Older Adults and Their Grandchild

Register for the conference today! For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://des.az.gov/WEAADAZ. For exhibitor inquiries, contact Michelle Fulcher (Organized Affair) at Michelle@OrganizedAffair.com or (480) 247-2454.

DIVISION OF BENEFITS & MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY

Pandemic Student Exemptions

What Happens When the Public Health Emergency Ends?

The ending of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) will affect the Department’s ability to grant students the following temporary Pandemic exemptions for eligibility to receive SNAP benefits:

• Eligibility for Work Study - The student has been determined eligible but is not actively participating in a State or Federally financed work study program during the regular school year as determined by the institution of higher education.
• $0 EFC - the student has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 in the current academic year.

Timelines

• New Applications - Pandemic Student exemptions can no longer be applied when a new application is filed on or after the 30th day following the end of the PHE. For example, if the PHE ends 5/11/2023, the Pandemic Student exemption can continue to be applied to new applications filed on or before 6/10/2023. When eligible, the student can continue to receive the exemption until the next renewal. Any new applications submitted 6/11/2023 or later will be screened for a non-temporary student exemption.
• Renewal Applications - Pandemic Student exemptions can no longer be applied when the household’s renewal certification period begins at least 30 days after the end of the PHE. For example, if the PHE ends 5/11/2023, the Pandemic Student exemption can continue to be applied to households with a renewal certification period beginning 6/01/2023. When eligible, the student can continue to receive the exemption until the next renewal. Households with a renewal certification period beginning 7/01/2023 or later would be screened for a non-temporary student exemption.
• Mid-Certification Changes - Households are not required to report changes in their student status mid-certification. If the household clearly reports that a student is no longer eligible for the Pandemic Student exemptions after the end of the PHE, the agency must act on the change and the student will be screened for a non-temporary student exemption. For example, if the PHE ends 5/11/2023 and the household reports the student is no longer work-study eligible or $0 EFC, they will be screened to determine eligibility for a non-temporary student exemption. When the student is not eligible for an exemption, they will be determined not eligible for SNAP benefits.

DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

In-Person Planning Meetings

Planning meetings are the core of the work DDD does in helping its members live self-directed, healthy, and meaningful lives. The personal connection developed between a Support Coordinator and member is key to helping each member achieve their goals and live the life they want to live. In-person planning meetings are necessary to ensure Support Coordinators can truly assess each member’s health and well-being in their living environment. This includes seeing their entire living situation to ensure they have what they need to meet their essential needs and are free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This is difficult to do through a virtual medium; the flexibility to hold planning meetings virtually has been in place since April 2020. Beginning April 1, 2023, Support Coordinators will resume in-person planning meetings to align with DDD policies.

Parents as Paid Caregivers for Their Minor Children

Allowing parents to serve as paid caregivers for their minor children is a flexibility that was implemented at the start of the federal COVID-19 PHE. This reduced the number of people in contact with DDD members from outside their homes. This flexibility was set to expire at the end of the COVID-19 PHE but was included in the AHCCCS American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan that was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Under this plan, parents will be able to continue to serve as paid caregivers for their minor children through September 30, 2024.

Medicaid Dental Benefit Limit Change

Effective October 14, 2022, the $1,000 annual Medicaid dental services limit was eliminated, for American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) members 21 years of age and older receiving services for medically necessary diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative dental services at IHS and 638 Tribal facilities

Services performed outside of IHS/638 Tribal facilities remain limited to the $1000 Emergency Dental Benefit for members 21 years of age and over, and the additional $1000 for dental services for members on ALTCS.

Self-Care Conference for Caregivers

DDD is hosting a Self-Care Conference for Caregivers. The event is a day of self-care, learning, and community for caregivers of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Caregivers will learn how to care for themselves while caring for others.

The event will have presentations from experts in self-care and mental health. It will also offer workshops, relaxation exercises, yoga, and art therapy, among others.

Caregivers who need help finding respite services while attending can contact their Support Coordinators at the DDD.

Details

• WHO: for parents or family members who are caregivers of people with I/DD
• WHAT: a no-cost event to help caregivers learn ways to care for themselves while caring for others
• WHERE: Desert Willow Conference Center at 4340 E Cotton Center Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85040
• WHEN: April 25, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• WHY: to build connections, find resources and learn about self-care

For more information about the event, please visit bit.ly/ddd-self-care-conf.

Town Hall Meetings

The Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) continues to host town hall meetings for DDD members, families, and providers. The next town hall meeting will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please share this information with members and families and encourage them to participate in the next event. The town hall schedule and instructions to join via the Internet or phone can be found at bit.ly/dddtownhall.

Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Misconduct

Report to DDD:

• Call DDD at 1-877-822-5799
• Send an email to dddfwa@azdes.gov
• Send a letter to DES/DDD
• Attn: Corporate Compliance Unit, 1789 W Jefferson St., Mail Drop 2HA1, Phoenix, AZ 85007
• Complete this online form.

Report to AHCCCS

Provider Fraud

• In Arizona: 602-417-4045
• Outside Arizona: 1-888-ITS-NOT-OK (1-888-487-6686)

Report Member Fraud:

• In Arizona: 602-417-4193
• Outside Arizona: 1-888-ITS-NOT-OK (1-888-487-6686)

If you have questions about AHCCCS fraud, abuse of the program, or abuse of a member, email the AHCCCS Office of Inspector General (OIG) at AHCCCSFraud@azahcccs.gov.

Policy Public Comment

DDD is currently accepting public comments regarding Division policies. The policy revisions can be found on the DDD Policy webpage and this form, https://forms.gle/4MGCsdyKTRPJna3m9, can be used to submit public comments.

Crisis Services

If you, a family member, or a friend have a mental health emergency, it is important that you seek help right away. Trained crisis staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help over the phone. The Crisis Hotlines are free, confidential, and open to anyone who needs help. For medical, police, and fire emergency situations, always call 911.

Suicide and Crisis Hotlines by County

• Maricopa County served by Mercy Care: 1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444
• Apache, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties served by Arizona Complete Health - Complete Care Plan: 1-866-495-6735
• Pinal County served by Mercy Care: 1-866-495-6735
• Gila County served by Mercy Care: 1-800-631-1314
• Coconino, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai Counties served by Health Choice Arizona: 1-877-756-4090
• Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities: 1-800-259-3449
• Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community: 1-855-331-6432
• Tohono O'odham Nation: 1-844-423-8759

Statewide Crisis Hotline

• 1-844-534-4673 (1-844-534-HOPE) or text 44673 (4HOPE)

Especially for Teens

• Teen Life Line phone or text: 602-248-TEEN (8336)

National 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines

Phone

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 talk or text
• National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Text

• Text the word "HOME" to 741741

DDD is Here to Help

Please contact your Support Coordinator or the DDD Customer Service Center at 1-844-770-9500 ext. 1 (TTY/TDD 711) if you have questions.

DIVISION OF CHILD CARE

Child Care Infrastructure Grants

DES has partnered with the national and Phoenix, Arizona based Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and is utilizing State Child Care and Development Fund ARPA Stabilization funds to support providers through infrastructure grants. This infrastructure grant program will focus on child care providers who serve DES-eligible families in areas where child care is extremely limited or there is no availability of child care, including areas where it is critical to build the supply of non-standard hour care, infant and toddler care, child care in underserved areas, and child care that meets the needs of children with disabilities.

Currently, LISC is working with three tribal programs. To learn more, or contact LISC, please visit this website: lisc.org/phoenix/what-we-do/child-care-early-learning/des-grant/

Early Childhood Professional Development Advisory Committee

Through the DES Division of Child Care contracted partner, Central Arizona College, and the DES funded Professional Career Pathway Project, the Professional Development Advisory Committee is a collaboration of state agencies, institutes of higher education, and early childhood community stakeholders that will lead the creation of a professional development framework and goals to improve the early childhood professional development system. The committee’s work will include accelerating the creation of career pathways, supporting and increasing the implementation of professional standards and competencies into professional development opportunities, utilizing workforce data to support decision-making, and partnering with state agencies to advocate for and support a well-prepared and adequately compensated workforce. Currently, higher education is represented by college and university partners including tribal, rural, and urban communities. For additional tribal partners interested in learning more, please contact Barbara Milner, Barbara.Milner@centralaz.edu.

DIVISION OF COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE & DEVELOPMENT

DCAD - Emergency Rental Assistance Updates:

The DES Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is changing. Effective April 1, 2023, utility assistance and rental recertification will no longer be available through DES ERAP. Applications for new and continuing rent and utility assistance received on or before March 31, 2023 will be processed under current program guidelines allowing up to three months of future rent and utility benefits. Because recertification will no longer be available as of April 1, rental assistance will only be available to new applicants.

Utility assistance will continue to be available for eligible applicants through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

For more information on program changes, please visit the DES ERAP webpage. Additional information can also be found in the FAQs for Renters and Landlords. Any future ERAP updates will continue to be provided on these web pages as available.

If you are interested in ERAP benefits or have questions about your ERAP application, please contact (602) 534-2433.

DIVISION OF EMPLOYMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Career Advancement Network (SNAP CAN)

To expand upon the overview of Arizona’s SNAP CAN program in the previously issued newsletter (December 2022), we’ll do a deeper dive into the no-cost vocational training opportunities available through the program. The SNAP CAN program is available to individuals ages 16 and over who are receiving SNAP benefits and not receiving TANF benefits.

While the SNAP CAN program offers job search assistance, job readiness skills, GED/ESL courses, and more, one of the cornerstones of the program is vocational training. Through St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, eligible SNAP recipients can take part in warehousing and culinary vocational training programs. GAP Ministries in Tucson offers retail, warehousing, auto mechanic and culinary training while Regional Center for Border Health in Yuma provides participants with a variety of healthcare vocational programs. Habitat for Humanity Phoenix provides both classroom and on-the-job construction training, and Neighborhood Ministries offers courses in screen printing. All of these training programs are available to eligible SNAP recipients at no cost to participants.

The SNAP CAN program also recognizes that there are often costs associated with participating in a vocational program beyond the standard course fees. While each provider runs their own unique program and individual services vary, most providers will cover some, or all of the costs associated with participation in the program. These participant reimbursements include, but are not limited to, transportation, uniforms and equipment, books, tools and more. Additionally, through the entire network of providers, clients are able to obtain their GED, learn English as a second language, be placed into a job or provided job search assistance and more.

If you or someone you know is receiving SNAP benefits and interested in a vocational training program or any of the services offered by SNAP CAN providers, visit des.az.gov/snapcan-training.