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.

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.

From May 2005 to June 2005, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality conducted a study, Potable Well Sampling Task 4.0, to determine if the chromium and chromium VI plume due to the discharge of the Pacific Gas and Electronic Topock Compressor Station has migrated under the Colorado River and impacted water supplies in Arizona. The ADEQ investigated the total chromium and hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) concentrations in (1) public water supply wells, (2) combined industrial and domestic water supply wells, and (3) private domestic water supply wells at Topock and Golden Shores, Arizona. The communities of Topock and Golden Shores have expressed their concerns regarding the findings. Thus, the ADEQ requested the Arizona Department of Health Services to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to well water contaminated with chromium.

The Arizona Department of Health Services completed this health consultation at the request of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. This consult evaluates whether soil vapors from volatile organic compounds in the subsurface near the Silver Creek Subdivision in Tucson, Arizona are present at levels that may cause adverse health effects.

The Stoneridge subdivision is a growing rural community with approximately 5,000 residents. The Prescott Valley Water Company (Prescott Valley, AZ) provides drinking water for residents in this area. A resident in the community indicated that there is a “paint thinner” type odor coming from the tap water. The Prescott Valley Water Company sampled the water due to request of the resident. On July 27, 2004, the resident called the Arizona Department of Health Services to express his/her concern regarding the analytical results of benzene in tap water samples collected from faucets inside the house. As a result, the Arizona Department of Health Services completed a health consultation to evaluate if benzene and other volatile organic compounds in the water supplied by the Prescott Valley Water Company pose any adverse health effects.