Disability Organizations to Host Press Conference on Report on Arizona’s Crisis Response System
The Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL), along with Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, and numerous advocacy organizations, will host a press conference on January 25 to highlight a report on how Arizona’s crisis response system is failing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
A link for the report can be found here: https://bit.ly/33LYg8j
The report finds that there are many crisis situations where individuals with I/DD and their families are left to call police when behavioral health services are out of reach. Yet, their loved ones never receive follow up services, remaining in danger well after these calls are made.
“We’ve known about these issues for years, but the system still has not improved. It’s actually gotten worse. This is a vulnerable population in need of help, and the system continues to fail them,” stated Melissa Van Hook, Chairperson of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.
The report is based on a series of meetings with family members and state officials, as well as a review of policies related to the crisis response system. Stronger accountability of behavioral health providers, stricter communication protocols between crisis providers and health plans, and more training for the entire crisis system on the unique needs of people with I/DD are a few of the recommendations listed. The recommendations are intended for state legislators, agencies, health plans, law enforcement and organizations to strengthen their own policies to better support people with I/DD in crisis.
"Crisis services today do not understand the needs of our population. It is our hope that collaborating on these recommendations will lead to better access to care and better care overall," said Cynthia Macluskie, President of the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.
What: Press Conference on Arizona’s Crisis Response System for People with Disabilities
Who: Arizona Center for Disability Law, Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Autism Society of Greater Phoenix and other advocacy organizations
When: January 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: You must Register on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/
The Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL), along with Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, and numerous advocacy organizations, will host a press conference on January 25 to highlight a report on how Arizona’s crisis response system is failing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
A link for the report can be found here: https://bit.ly/33LYg8j
The report finds that there are many crisis situations where individuals with I/DD and their families are left to call police when behavioral health services are out of reach. Yet, their loved ones never receive follow up services, remaining in danger well after these calls are made.
“We’ve known about these issues for years, but the system still has not improved. It’s actually gotten worse. This is a vulnerable population in need of help, and the system continues to fail them,” stated Melissa Van Hook, Chairperson of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.
The report is based on a series of meetings with family members and state officials, as well as a review of policies related to the crisis response system. Stronger accountability of behavioral health providers, stricter communication protocols between crisis providers and health plans, and more training for the entire crisis system on the unique needs of people with I/DD are a few of the recommendations listed. The recommendations are intended for state legislators, agencies, health plans, law enforcement and organizations to strengthen their own policies to better support people with I/DD in crisis.
"Crisis services today do not understand the needs of our population. It is our hope that collaborating on these recommendations will lead to better access to care and better care overall," said Cynthia Macluskie, President of the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.
What: Press Conference on Arizona’s Crisis Response System for People with Disabilities
Who: Arizona Center for Disability Law, Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Autism Society of Greater Phoenix and other advocacy organizations
When: January 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Register on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/
ASL and CART services will be provided.
