ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
appropriation; developmentally disabled; mentoring
Appropriates $100,000 in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to the Department of Economic Security (DES) to establish a mentoring program for the developmentally disabled.
The DES Division of Developmental Disabilities works in partnership with individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, community members and service providers to develop, enhance and support environments enabling individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve and maintain physical well-being, personal and professional satisfaction, participation as family and community members and safety from abuse and exploitation.
Individuals receive help from a case manager in determining eligibility, assessing needs and obtaining services. Adults receive services such as community living skills, daily living activities, recreation, socialization and referrals for work opportunities. Children may receive early intervention services, assistance in obtaining educational services and services to enhance the development of the child. Children's services include infant massage, infant stimulation, play groups, habilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy and respite. Family members and other service providers may receive assistance to enhance the capacity of the family and other service providers to meet the special needs of the child. As well, children with developmental disabilities who have been adjudicated dependent by the courts receive reunification or permanency services.
Eligibility for these services is dependent on the person having a severe, chronic disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism which is manifested before age 18, is likely to continue indefinitely, results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more areas of major life activity and requires a combination and sequence of specialized services. A child under the age of six may qualify if an appropriate test strongly demonstrates that the child is potentially developmentally disabled.
H.B. 2381 appropriates $100,000 in each year of the biennium to establish mentoring relationships between middle school, high school and college students and community volunteers with disabilities and individuals with developmental disabilities. Mentors must receive ten hours of training. In addition, H.B. 2381 broadens the definition of “developmental disabilities” to include persons age five or older with a mental or physical impairment manifested before age 22 that is likely to continue indefinitely and results in substantial functional limitation in 3 or more areas of major life activity.
1. Appropriates $100,000 in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to DES to establish a mentoring program for the developmentally disabled.
2. Caps administrative costs to ten percent of the appropriation.
3. Requires the program to coordinate three types of mentoring relationships, provide general service to persons with developmental disabilities and provide prescribed training to mentors.
4. Permits DES to accept financial contributions to advance the objectives and expand services of the program.
5. Permits DES to coordinate the administration of the program with the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities or other entities approved by DES.
6. Requires DES to report specified information semiannually to Legislative Council.
7. Requires Legislative Council to report on the mentoring program to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and chairmen of the Committees on Appropriations in the Senate and the House of Representatives by June 30, 2002 and 2003.
8. Defines “developmental disabilities”.
9. Exempts the appropriations from lapsing.
10. Provides for a general effective date.
HS 2/6/01 DPA 8-2-0-0-0
APPROP 2/20/01 DPA 7-6-2-1-0
3rd Read 3/14/01 35-16-9-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 22, 2001