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News & Updates

Institutionalization Does Not Return All at Once

A woman with Down syndrome places a large bottle into a shopping cart in a parking lot while another woman assists nearby.

October 6, 2026

Institutionalization Does Not Return All at Once

The path back to institutionalization can begin with quiet decisions that weaken oversight, services and inclusion. Encircle Families Executive Director Christopher Tiffany reflects on recent…

young girl with backpack smiling at the camera

September 28, 2026

What Comes Next?

Navigating the journey from early intervention through kindergarten For families of young children with disabilities or developmental delays, the path from early intervention to kindergarten…

September 28, 2026

Staff Spotlight: Jessica Ruvalcaba

With both professional expertise and personal experience, Marysol Vazquez supports Arizona families as a Family Support Specialist at Encircle Families.

September 28, 2026

A Message From the Director – Fall 2026

As a special educator, a parent, and through my work alongside thousands of Arizona families, I have seen firsthand how the expectations we hold for…

A therapist engages with a young child during a learning activity at a table.

September 22, 2026

Another AHCCCS Comment Period? This One Is About ABA

Arizona families who use Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, through Medicaid have another opportunity to weigh in on proposed changes to disability services. And if…

A speech therapist works with a young girl in front of a mirror during a therapy session.

September 22, 2026

Proposition 320 and Students With Disabilities

Three things Arizona families should know What would Proposition 320 do? Proposition 320 is a ballot measure Arizona voters will consider in November. It would…

A mother and her son sit together, facing each other and making eye contact. She leans toward him with a playful expression as he looks up at her.

September 17, 2026

Building Mateo’s Village

“It takes a village.” For Georgina Georgelos, those words capture her journey as a mother, educator and advocate for her son. Georgina was recently named…

September 10, 2026

Make a Plan to Vote: Arizona’s 2026 General Election

Arizona’s General Election is Nov. 3, and the deadline to register to vote is approaching. Whether you plan to vote early, by mail or in…

August 27, 2026

Arizona’s ESA Ballot Measures Are Off the November Ballot: Where Things Stand

Arizona voters will not decide two proposed changes to the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program this November. Proposition 212 and Proposition 145, two ESA-related…

August 27, 2026

When Every Minute Matters: What Arizona Families Should Know About Autism and Missing Person Alerts

When an autistic loved one wanders, knowing what to do can make a critical difference. Arizona already has a statewide SAFE Alert for qualifying missing…

August 25, 2026

When Inclusion Gets Hard, We Cannot Walk Away From It

Recent federal actions are raising important questions about the future of disability rights and community inclusion. Encircle Families Executive Director Christopher Tiffany looks at what…

August 18, 2026

When Pediatric Care Ends: Rethinking Healthcare for Adults with Disabilities

Leaving pediatric care can expose a new set of challenges for young adults with autism and I/DD. A new Arizona-based white paper examines the healthcare…