Encircle Families
News & Updates
September 20, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Ally Martinez
Amellaly (Ally) Martinez knows firsthand the value of connecting with other parents whose children have similar diagnoses. Her two youngest sons received autism diagnoses and…
September 20, 2023
A Message From the Director – Fall 2023
I hope you are all enjoying the cooler temperatures that September and October bring to Arizona across the state. And I hope you will find…
September 20, 2023
What You Need To Know About School Discipline
Parents might think their children won’t be disciplined, suspended or expelled if they receive services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan,…
August 29, 2023
AHCCCS Sends Proposal for Parents as Paid Caregiver Program on to CMS For Approval
Parent and family stories and testimonials were extremely effective in advocating for changes to the Parents as Paid Caregivers Program that AHCCCS proposed to send…
July 25, 2023
RSK Position on AHCCCS 1115 Waiver Amendment Proposal: Parents as Paid Caregivers
In response to the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency in 2020, AHCCCS expanded Medicaid flexibilities in to allow for Parents to become paid caregivers and…
June 28, 2023
A Message From the Director – Summer 2023
For families of young children with disabilities, the transition into school for the first time can be wrought with stress and emotion. Our main article…
June 22, 2023
Prepping for Preschool
“Like many parents, Teresa Banas felt nervous when it was time to send her children to preschool. Her son didn’t speak as much as his…
June 22, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Brandi Clark
“Working for Raising Special Kids is a dream come true,” Brandi said. “It’s wonderful to work for an employer who understands families’ needs.”
March 29, 2023
Staff Spotlight: Paulina Serna
Paulina first became involved with Raising Special Kids about 14 years ago when her twins were born. Her son Luis was born with spina bifida,…
March 29, 2023
Coming of Age
Turning18 is a huge milestone for anyone. When a young person with disabilities becomes an adult, their parents can have legitimate concerns about how to…
March 29, 2023
A Message From the Director – Spring 2023
Though there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the complex question of what happens when a child with a disability reaches the age of majority, there…
March 27, 2023
DDD Hosting Self-Care for Caregiver Conference April 25
The Division of Developmental Disabilities is hosting its first Self-Care for Caregivers Conference on April 25, 2023 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix.…