An Update on Efforts to Keep Injunction in Place

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Arizona Autism Coalition

March 23, 2009
Dear Agency Coalition Members,

John Dacey, the attorney representing AAPPD who successfully argued and won an injunction for the continuation of DDD State-only services, needs your assistance. Mr. Dacey would like to update existing affidavits, as well as secure new ones that document the dire and irreparable harm that would be caused by allowing the State to proceed with the cuts in services and rates.
What You Can Do To Help

Send specific examples of the following to Monica Attridge, mlattridge@qwestoffice.net:

1. Provider hardships, whether current or prospective, that have resulted/will result from State cuts in service and/or rates (e.g., “I will lose $400,000 revenue which will result in…..”).
2. Any additional specific harm to infants/toddlers/children (e.g., “We are losing 12 hours of respite that will force me to go to half-time employment or on welfare.”).
3. New information on harm experienced by adults. This is particularly important as we have more data on children than adults (e.g., “Jim will have to move back to a group home at 3x the cost because he requires at least modest overnight supervision.”).

You do not need to get extremely detailed in each case. Mr. Dacey will get that information if he believes the individual case has enough merit for review.
Thank you for your ongoing collaboration and support!

Take care,

Jessica Lewis
Arizona Autism Coalition Coordinator
Phone: 480.268.1453
Email: jessica@azautism.org
Website: www.azautism.org

The Arizona Autism Coalition is an inclusive stakeholder organization committed to improving the lives of families, providers and educators impacted by autism in the state of Arizona. The Arizona Autism Coalition is dedicated to the sharing of resources and information related to autism, and working with state agencies towards systems change for the betterment of the community. For more information about the Arizona Autism Coalition, please contact coalition coordinator, Jessica Lewis at 480.268.1453 or email Jessica@azautism.org. Visit www.azautism.org for more information.