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WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF TRIBAL RELATIONS NEWSLETTER
We are pleased to welcome you to the first issue of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) Newsletter! The main purpose of this newsletter is to provide a communication forum for tribal staff, programs, and tribal members to learn and stay up to date on current news and information from DES. At the end of each quarter, we will share all the events we participated in, future events/activities, division and program updates, and announcements. Your comments, suggestions, and feedback are always welcome at jbeard@azdes.gov.
DES has seven divisions and administers more than 50 programs and services to comprehensively meet the needs of our communities, serve diverse populations and ensure everyone has the opportunity to overcome barriers and reach their potential. This newsletter will increase awareness and ensure tribes are informed of the DES resources available. We hope you will enjoy reading the OTR Quarterly Newsletters, and we look forward to hearing from you.
aBOUT THE oFFICE OF tRIBAL rELATIONS
OTR is located within the Director’s Office of Community Engagement. Under the direction of the Tribal Relations Manager, Jocelyn Beard, OTR is responsible for overseeing and implementing effective government-to-government consultation between DES and Arizona’s tribes on policies that affect Arizona tribal communities. The Tribal Relations Manager’s charge is to serve as a direct link between the tribes in Arizona and the DES Director, facilitate communication and consultations between tribes and Department divisions with the assistance of the Division Tribal Liaisons, review program policy and regulations affecting tribes, and provide recommendations.
Meet the DES Office of Tribal Relations Team
Link to the OTR Staff Page for contact information
Notable highlights and updates
Read about general division program information and notable highlights, and learn about various DES programs and services. Featured here are updates about changes in program eligibility or application processes and the services available to tribal members and communities.
Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
DAAS supports older Arizonans and vulnerable adults. Aging and Adult Services include Non-medical Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), Senior Meals (both congregate & home-delivered meals), the Family Caregiver Support Program, Respite Care, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (which serves to identify and resolve complaints from residents residing in assisted living and other long-term care facilities).
DAAS services are provided in partnership with the eight Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Two AAAs, Regions 7 and 8, work directly within the tribal communities; Region 7 serves the Navajo Nation, and Region 8 serves other tribal communities throughout Arizona. These AAAs are public or nonprofit agencies that help older Arizonans. The state partners with AAAs to plan and coordinate services at the local level.
Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
The Family Assistance Administration (FAA) under DBME determines eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance (CA) through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medical Assistance (MA) provided through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP (also referenced as nutrition assistance (NA) provides hundreds of thousands of Arizonans with the ability to provide adequate nutrition for their families.
Cash Assistance. CA provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to the neediest of Arizona’s families, including families where a dependent child is raised by relatives, a legal guardian, or an unlicensed foster care provider. The program helps families meet their basic needs for well-being and safety and serves as a bridge to self-sufficiency.
Medical Assistance. DBME administers the application process for Medical Assistance (Medicaid, provided in partnership with AHCCCS.) Health care services are integral to individual and family safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency.
Current DBME Waivers & Exemptions
Division of Community Assistance and Development (DCAD)
DCAD works alongside community partners to meet the immediate and short-term needs of vulnerable Arizonans at risk of, experiencing, or transitioning from domestic or sexual violence; homelessness; or food, housing, and utility insecurity.
Community Action Programs and Services provide utility, rent, and mortgage assistance and services to promote economic independence. Some of these services are provided through a network of community partners called Community Action Agencies located throughout Arizona, while the DES Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides rent and utility assistance to renters directly.
How to request funds: Funding requests can be made through the Arizona Procurement Portal, available at https://spo.az.gov/suppliers/app-support/quick-reference-guides.
DCAD programs/Services
Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
What do IV-D and Non-IV-D mean?
IV-D refers to Part D of the Social Security Act, which establishes the state and the tribal child support programs. The state enforces IV-D child support cases. DCSS enforces the child support court order for the current support and arrears according to the state's laws and policies.
Non-IV-D child support cases are established and maintained privately, not by the State.
There are a few ways customers open an IV-D child support case with DCSS. A person needing child support or one who would like to pay child support can apply for services. DCSS also opens cases for clients who apply for TANF Cash Assistance. The applicant must comply with DCSS by opening a child support case.
DCSS can also receive a request for services from another jurisdiction resulting in a new intergovernmental case.
The application for requesting DCSS services can be found on the DES DCSS website: https://des.az.gov/dcss. The application provides instructions, including the documents required to open a child support case.
The Navajo Nation operates a Title IV-D child support program called Navajo Child Support Services. For more information, visit their website at https://childsupport.navajo-nsn.gov/.
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
What does the Office of Individual and Family Affairs (OIFA) do for DDD Members?
OIFA is a unique team within DDD that supports members, families, providers, and community partners. The team includes experts that provide education, guidance, and assistance on various topics. Below are some initiatives and support available for DDD members under OIFA.
This information and more advocacy assistance can be found on the OIFA website at: https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities/individuals-and-families/oifa
If you would like to request a presentation regarding the DDD eligibility and application process, please contact the DDD Tribal Liaison by visiting the DDD Tribal Relations website at https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities/individuals-and-families/ddd-tribal-relations
Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)
Important Updates to Arizona’s Unemployment Benefits Program: What You Need to Know
In 2021, the Arizona State Legislature passed a bill that changed Arizona’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, effective July 1, 2022, in the following 3 ways:
- Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount Increases: New claimants who open a new claim on or after July 3, 2022, can qualify for up to $320.00 in UI benefits each week. Claimants who were eligible before July 3, 2022, are not eligible for this potential increase in weekly benefits.
- Increase in Wage Allowance: Previously, individuals couldn’t earn more than $30.50/week without their weekly benefit amount being affected. Beginning July 1, 2022, claimants can earn up to $160.50/week and still receive the full weekly benefit amount.
- Benefits Duration: Beginning July 1, 2022, if the unemployment rate in Arizona drops below 5%, the maximum number of weeks claimants can be eligible for UI benefits will decrease from 26 weeks to a total of 24 weeks (per A.R.S. § 23-780).
As of June 2022, the unemployment rate in the prior calendar quarter has dropped below 5% and the new maximum benefit award will be 24 times the claimant’s weekly benefit amount (a maximum of 24 weeks of benefits).
Arizona’s unemployment rates are tracked and published by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity and can be found on Arizona’s Office of Economic Opportunity Unemployment Rate webpage (link is external)
To learn more about UI benefits, please visit the DES Unemployment Insurance Benefits Page, or call toll-free at 1-877-600-2722.
Making the Rounds in Tribal Communities
After the heightened pandemic restrictions, the OTR team is slowly making its way back into the communities. Here are some of the events the Division Tribal Liaisons participated in during the past quarter. Tribes can reach out to any OTR Team members to request a presentation or send us an invitation to set up an informational table.
The DDD Tribal Liaison participated as keynote speaker at the 9th Annual Blue Cross/Blue Shield AZ 9th Annual Tribal Summit to provide an overview of the Division of Developmental Disabilities eligibility and application process to members of various Indigenous communities at the summit.
Tribal Liaison Patricia Sutton and DCSS Outreach Supervisor Christian Romo hosted a table at the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association Father’s Day Festival on Saturday, June 18, at the East Valley Institute of Technology. They interacted with around 50 families and 25 fathers about DCSS services and answered questions. Intake and other information packets were handed out as well. Other event highlights included many children’s activities, food trucks, music, and tons of prizes for children.
Tribal Liaisons Patricia Sutton (DAAS/DCAD) and Kathryn Steffen (DBME) are conducting outreach at the Office of Tribal Relations' table at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Conference held on June 13 & 14, 2022.
Connecting with our tribal partners
With the support and guidance of OTR Staff, DES programs make every effort to create and establish partnerships with our tribal communities. The DERS Tribal Liaison, Garett Holm, highlights the DES Veterans Services in this section and how Tribal members can participate in these specialized services for Veterans.
DES Veterans Services: Serving Those Who Know the Meaning of Service
When it comes to supporting veteran job seekers, DES is mission-focused. That focus is to assist veterans and eligible spouses of service members entering the workforce by providing job training, referrals, and resources to obtain employment and advance career opportunities. The need for a robust system of Veterans Services that provides full-cycle job training and career development is critical. Leo Verdugo, Veterans Regional Coordinator, says, “Veterans consistently exceed the national unemployment rate.”
Despite the challenges faced when entering the job market, veteran job seekers offer a unique experiences, training, and skills to meet employers’ needs.
“As dedicated professionals in the employment and reemployment of our Arizona veterans, we must understand all the talents that our veterans possess, and we should emphasize the importance of their abilities within the workforce,” Verdugo notes. “Veterans possess many of the qualities employers seek today, such as leadership, teamwork, the ability to perform effectively under pressure, diversity and inclusion in action, the ability to learn and adapt quickly, respect for procedure, and integrity.”
As the agency responsible for administering the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG), DES has dedicated staff who provide individualized career and training-related services to veterans facing significant barriers to employment. Critically, Veterans Services staff are all veterans themselves. According to Garett Holm, the instant connection existing between Veterans Services staff and clients through the shared experience of military service helps veteran job seekers during the transition process. “There is a level of trust and respect that exists at the very beginning that supports the provision of services leading to employment,” Holm observes.
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists provide intensive services that include one-on-one career counseling and case management to remove barriers and assist veterans in their job search. DVOP specialists also provide community outreach to increase awareness of programs and services available to veteran job seekers. These include outreach opportunities provided in Native American communities throughout Arizona and increased direct communications with federally recognized tribes. This effort has resulted in increased utilization of DES’ Veterans Services by Native American veterans and successful job placements. Veterans and other eligible persons can seek the assistance of a DVOP specialist at their local one-stop job center or schedule a virtual appointment.
To find a local one stop job center, please visit ARIZONA@WORK. To schedule a virtual appointment, please visit the ARIZONA@WORK Virtual Appointment page.
In addition to DVOP specialists, Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) provide a crucial link between employers and veteran job seekers. LVERs engage local businesses to increase employer awareness of the value of incorporating veteran skill sets and experience within the workplace. Working together, DVOP specialists and LVERs provide a full-cycle approach to job readiness and career development that assists veteran job seekers in meeting their career goals and maintaining employment.
Success often produces consistency in action, but that is not the case for Veteran Services staff. As industry and workforce needs evolve, Veteran Services staff must continue to find innovative ways to inform veteran job seekers of changes in the job market and opportunities for training and career development, including programs specifically designed for women and minority veterans.
Veterans Services staff continually work with state, federal, and tribal partners to develop new programs and services, such as the AZ Hires Vets initiative developed to hire unemployed veterans to work in Arizona state government employment. Veterans Services staff also work closely with other DES staff, including DES tribal liaisons, to help communicate events and opportunities to various audiences.
Holm notes, “DVOPs and LVERs provide invaluable services and resources to Native veterans that benefit individual veterans and strengthen families and the community as a whole. I look forward to working closely with Veteran Services staff to expand the scope and impact of DES’s veteran programs within Native communities.”
To learn more about DES’ Veterans Services, please visit the Veterans Services site.
A Community of Support: The Veterans Toolkit Program and Other Resources
DES and ARIZONA@WORK partner with many critical agencies, such as the Arizona Department of Veterans Services (ADVS) and the Arizona Housing Coalition, to connect services, resources, and employers to veteran job seekers.
Services available to veteran job seekers include:
- The ADVS Veterans Toolkit Program is a resource veterans can use to obtain the supplies they need for a new job. The Veterans Toolkit helps cover costs for work-related transportation, work tools, protective equipment, clothing, and essential electronic devices.
- Job and resume preparation services are provided to veteran job seekers to assist in translating military training and experience into professional skills sought by employers.
Free hotel stays for veterans, spouses, and transitioning service members for employment- related travel through the Hilton Honors Military Rewards Program, made possible by DES in partnership with Hilton Hotels.
Specialized tools and resources to support veterans with disabilities seeking employment.
For more information about services provided to veterans through the ARIZONA@WORK, read 7 Ways ARIZONA@WORK Helps Veterans.
Veterans’ Priority of Service
Eligible Veterans and spouses are entitled to Priority of Service of job referrals, training, and other employment-related services. Please visit the DES services for Veterans web page to learn more about who qualifies for Priority of Service.
Contact otr
Please get in touch. The OTR Team can provide additional information and resources from DES. If you have any questions or inquiries, an OTR staff member will always be happy to help. Feel free to contact us by clicking on the "request assistance" or "OTR Staff" buttons below.
If you have suggestions for future newsletter information and/or areas of interest not included in this issue, you can email jbeard@azdes.gov.
Thank you
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