ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
appropriations; adoption
services
Appropriates
$40,300 from the state general fund in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 to
the Department of Economic Security (DES) for a paralegal to assist parents
obtain behavioral health services for children adopted out of foster care.
The
DES adoption subsidy program (AS program) promotes and maintains the adoption
of special needs children formerly in state care. The most common special needs factor is high risk for physical or
mental disease, with emotional disturbance being the second most common special
needs factor. Children enrolled in the
AS program are eligible for behavioral health services through the Regional
Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs).
DES
and the Office of the Attorney General (AG) have established an appeal process
for behavioral health services for foster children denied services by a RBHA.
The AG cannot represent parents of children enrolled in the AS program because
the children are no longer in state custody.
The parents often do not have the expertise or resources to obtain
services or appeal denials by a RBHA.
This
legislation appropriates $40,300 in each of FY 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 from the
state general fund to DES for a full-time paralegal position to assist parents
of children in the AS program to obtain behavioral health services and appeal
denials.
1. Appropriates $40,300 in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to DES for a paralegal to assist parents of children in the AS program to obtain behavioral health services and appeal denials by the RBHAs.
2. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 8, 2001