Therapy Service Cuts! What?!

I've said it before, but it bears repeating that both of my twins have received government-funded therapy services since they were babies. Ariana acquired these therapies because of her obvious diagnoses and developmental delays, and Gabriel was formerly delayed (due to his prematurity) and has been able to catch up to age level (and even surpass it) thanks to his therapists. Right now, Gabriel receives Physical Therapy (PT) and Developmental Special Instruction (DSI). Ariana receives PT, DSI, Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (SP), and has qualified for Feeding Therapy (FT). Gabe's program is state funded and is known as the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), and cares for children between birth to 3 years of age. Ariana's program is mostly federally funded and is known as Long-Term Care (Title 19) and cares for individuals with serious diagnoses from birth to age 19.

As of the end of March, the grand state of Arizona will be the first state in the nation to cut all state funded therapy services for babies (0-3 years old). AzEIP will be a thing of the past. Gone. Finito. Gabriel's services will be cut. This is not good, but it's not devastating, in and of itself, seeing as though Gabe has been making great progress and was getting ready to graduate out of the program anyway. But to think that this cut will leave Ariana unscathed is totally wrong.

Here's where it gets bad:

1) Ariana's DSI therapy is state funded. Every child's DSI is state funded. This means that every child, no matter how delayed, no matter how severe, is getting this crucial service cut, even if they are considered Title 19. Ariana is out a valuable therapy that will not be reinstated. We are also losing a beloved therapist, and she and so many therapists like her are out of a job. DSI has been one of the most beneficial therapies for Ariana (and Gabe), and has served as a parenting coach and invaluable support system for me, to say the least.

2) TCH is the company that employs Ariana's PT (as well as her DSI & SP). Since the budget cut, TCH and so many other companies like theirs is having to close its doors and shut down their program altogether. They simply cannot run a business without the state funded portion of their clients (which makes up the majority of their reimbursement). Therefore, even though Ariana's federal service funds are still available, the providers are not there to offer these services anymore. At the end of this month, Ari's PT will be out of a job, so she will need to decide if she wants to and is able to find a job with another company that is managing to stay afloat under these turbulent conditions. If and when that be the case, we will transfer service to her new company. If not, Ariana will be out her Physical Therapist as well.

3) Ariana's OT is the owner of a therapy provider company. She is also in a position to decide whether or not it is possible for her to keep her business afloat, given the sudden and drastic budget cuts. If (like so many others) she can't, Ariana will be out her Occupational Therapist.

4) The fact that Ariana won't be getting the feeding therapy that I've been fighting for and was recently approved is just moldy icing on a stale cake.

5) To say the least, Ariana and so many other children with special needs in our state are having their much needed therapy services terminated or interrupted. This vulnerable population of children is losing medical care, their parents are losing knowledgeable coaches, their families are losing valued relationships, and the providers are losing their jobs. This is happening by the thousands. It's simply NOT okay. There are Third World countries with better programs for children with disabilities (and, no, I am not making this up).

Currently, I'm a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by TCH (The Center for Habilitation) against the State of Arizona. Wish me luck, right? It is an attempt to put a hold on the budget cuts for further review, seeing as though they are IN VIOLATION of Federal requirements! There was a rally at the State Capitol to protest the cuts last Thursday. People are writing their legislators left and right. The cuts have passed, so the only hope of reversing it is if the lawsuit is successful. So, although it may be a mute point, we are fighting the good fight anyway.