Arizona Parents Fight to Protect Disabled Children's Care Hours Amid Proposed Assessment Changes
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Mother of Autistic Son Could Lose 32 Hours of Weekly Care Under New Assessment Plan
PHOENIX — Patricia Salas has spent years learning how to navigate Arizona's complex disability bureaucracy to get the care her son Danny needs. Now she faces the prospect of losing the support she and thousands of other parents rely on.
Under a new assessment plan proposed by the state, Salas could see her son's 40 hours of weekly care cut to just nine hours. That represents a loss of 32 hours of specialized care tailored to Danny's autism, anxiety, and ADHD.
"They weren't taking something away from us, but rather from the child. They were stripping children of that right. That's why we said, 'no!'" said Salas.
The Program That's Become Essential
The Parents as Paid Caregivers Program, or PPCP, was created during the pandemic in 2020. It was designed to keep vulnerable children safe in their homes while their parents worked. But it has become far more than a temporary emergency measure.
As of June 30, 2025, the Arizona Department of Economic Security's Division of Developmental Disabilities was serving 61,892 Arizonans with developmental disabilities. Nearly 60% of those individuals are minors.
For parents like Salas, the program is lifeline. Salas became certified to care for her son Danny, who was diagnosed with Level 2 autism at age 6. The program allows her to be paid to provide specialized care at home, tailored to Danny's specific developmental needs.
"His mother has had to invest time in educating herself and ensuring that her son receives care appropriate to his autism condition," said Somos Tucson. "She is concerned that changes to the assessment process could reduce the hours of paid care that have been authorized for him."
Gov. Hobbs Halts the Most Controversial Version
In September 2025, the state Department of Economic Security attempted to implement a new assessment system that would have dramatically reduced care hours for many families. The proposed changes would have stripped children of a significant portion of their authorized care hours based on a new evaluation method.
The backlash was immediate. Thousands of parents opposed the changes, writing emails and submitting comments to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, known as AHCCCS.
"Gov. Katie Hobbs halted the new assessment system after parents opposed the changes," reported Somos Tucson.
In November 2025, AHCCCS released a draft of a revised plan that advocates say is significantly better than the September proposal.
Parents Remain Vigilant
Brandi Coon, executive director of Raising Voices Coalition, has been tracking the policy changes with her organization. Raising Voices trains families and allied providers to voice their needs in the policy process.
"I do think it will be a much better evaluation for members, and then if parents or families think there are certain exceptions, there is a route built into that for exceptions to be implemented as well," said Coon.
However, Coon cautioned that families should remain watchful. A draft of the plan released in May 2025 was vastly different from what the state attempted to implement in September.
"Parents have remained informed about the proposals and have submitted more than 2,000 comments expressing their views on the new plan," reported Somos Tucson.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't just about one family's care hours. It's about access to essential support for thousands of Arizonans with developmental disabilities.
The Parents as Paid Caregivers Program was initially a temporary initiative. But it has become a permanent fixture in Arizona's disability support system. Parents like Salas don't just need the program to be available — they need the assessment process to fairly evaluate their children's needs.
The final version of AHCCCS's plan is still pending. Families and advocates are waiting to see how the state balances efficiency with the individualized care that vulnerable children deserve.
Sources
- https://www.calonews.com/arizona/proposed-changes-to-the-paid-parent-caregiver-program-concern-arizona-families/article_9893162b-b4fb-4ef3-8c75-9e1f41747889.html
- https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/how-proposed-childcare-cuts-may-impact-arizona/75-b962bd67-0ebf-4669-8403-0fc3b3058416
- https://ucpofcentralaz.org/parents-as-paid-caregivers-phoenix/
- https://www.kidswaivers.org/paid-parent-caregiving/