Arizona State and Local Government Documents Collection

Case management is a coordinated process of obtaining essential resources on behalf of clients. Principal components are assessment of needs and strengths, followed by planning, implementing, and monitoring resources to provide appropriate and continuous services. Case management is characterized by advocacy, communication, and resource management. It promotes quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes

While the economic environment in Arizona has gradually improved, vulnerable individuals and families rely on the Department for life-saving protective services and essential economic support. The Department has made important improvements in how we deliver benefits, goods and services to vulnerable individuals and families. The Plan outlines several of these on-going improvement efforts including cost-saving process improvements, expanded community collaborations, enhanced transparency and increased accountability.

The Arizona State Legislature established the Department of Economic Security in 1972 by consolidating the authority, power, and duties of seven separate state entities, followed by an eighth in 1974. The intent was to provide an integrated approach to human services. On May 29, 2014, the Legislature established the Department of Child Safety, separate from the Department of Economic Security, to provide oversight, transparency, and independence for the state’s child welfare function.

The vision of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is for every child, adult and family in the State of Arizona to be safe and economically secure. The mission of the Department is to promote the safety, well-being and self-sufficiency of children, adults and families. The Department continues a strong commitment to working with all of Arizona’s 22 tribes. The DES Tribal Consultation Policy demonstrates a fundamental respect for tribal sovereignty and self-determination. DES commits to working in consultation with Tribal Nations to improve the quality, availability and accessibility of human services to children, youth, adults and elders. This report provides an overview of DES actions and activities related to tribal consultations (both formal and informal) conducted over the past state fiscal year to achieve these goals. Our process is one which jointly involves Tribal and Department leadership and staff.

Information on arsenic exposure around Arizona has been available for several years. It is only recently that people have begun moving into areas where high arsenic levels may affect large numbers of people. Because of these new trends, the ADHS is providing more detailed information to the public on how to protect themselves.

A resident of Wickenburg, Arizona and her husband reported experiencing some adverse health effects that she felt may be attributed to a recent pesticide application to her home. The family requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate whether the remaining levels of pesticides present in her home would cause any health effects. The resident reported to ADHS that their symptoms continued to worsen over time, and that the chemical continued to pool in their house even after being wiped up several times, so that she and her husband vacated the house. The couple underwent extensive testing, and are receiving oxygen treatment to alleviate their symptoms. No medical records have been submitted to ADHS for review, and it is difficult to conclusively analyze health outcome information as it has been self reported.

In September 2005, some concerned Walker residents contacted the Arizona Department of Health Services in regards to the quality of groundwater in the area. The residents petitioned ADHS to perform well water tests to determine the character of the water, and whether there is any potential health risk associated with consuming or using the water. In response to the concerned community members and in agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, ADHS collected water samples from the site and completed a health consultation. This health consultation evaluates if the levels of lead and other metals in the private wells in Walker area pose any adverse health effects.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality asked the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate the health threat to residents from exposures to ash fallout from a fire at an asphalt plant located on the Salt River Indian Reservation in Mesa, Arizona. The facility has recently been bought by Vulcan, Inc. The site is located just north of the Salt River between Dobson and Alma School Roads. April 13, 1999.