Affinity Family Care, LLC.

10/17/2025

Today, our voices were heard.

This afternoon, Governor Katie Hobbs announced that she has directed AHCCCS to create an exception process for DDD families, and that the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) will pause the planned reductions to care hours. The new assessment tools, age caps, and service limits have also been halted for now.

Even more importantly, families who already experienced reductions will have their hours restored to the allotments they had prior to the new assessments.

This outcome is the result of a community that refused to stay silent. Families, caregivers, providers, and advocates came together to speak up, share their stories, and demand to be heard. The fear and stress these changes created were very real, and we recognize the emotional and financial toll it has taken on the families and caregivers we support.

At Affinity, we remain deeply committed to the members we serve and the caregivers we employ. We are here to support you, walk alongside you, and continue to advocate for what is right.

We are also profoundly grateful for this incredible community - your strength, your unity, and your persistence made this moment possible.

There is still more work ahead, but today, we pause to recognize the power of coming together, and the real impact it can make.

Thank you for standing with us. We are always here, and we will keep fighting for you, every step of the way.

📌 Governor’s Press Release https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2025/10/governor-katie-hobbs-directs-ahcccs-create-exception-process

📌 FAQ on Emergency Rule & Policyhttps://files.constantcontact.com/fbfdcc7f701/f59e4c93-b154-450a-9ed0-250718e38d35.pdf

📌 DDD Communicationhttps://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/Assessment_Changes_Update_October_2025_English.pdf

Thank you for standing with us. We are always here, and we will keep fighting for you—every step of the way.

10/12/2025

This speaks volume as to how important advocacy is now....My heart is so sad to see the implications these cuts are having on our members and their families.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14KrvtWq4gD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/15/2025

Raising Voices Coalition Arizona has been advocating fiercely to protect HCBS services. Last week, AHCCCS, DDD, and the Governor’s Office confirmed that the proposed service reductions are not federally mandated. These cuts are being driven by state-level decisions in anticipation of possible funding pressures tied to the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB). Importantly, the BBB itself does not reduce HCBS services like Attendant Care or Habilitation. Arizona leaders are framing these restrictions as financial necessity, but they are still choosing to implement them.

With the October 1st policy changes quickly approaching, we cannot wait, our voice is needed now.

There are seven Calls to Action, with the first five being the most urgent. Please take time to complete them today. Together, our voices can protect Arizona’s most vulnerable community members and make a lasting impact.

CLICK HERE for (7) Calls to Action
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hj0zlL8tizmNmsa_l3VvWVeOFFbNUAOGIMvou84g1MQ/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawM1NEpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwRGdoNGxUOEtyZGM4Y0tzAR6175UhNUYqllLcyzDIaHScCn-hgiv8VDrS-66-YZIFG4JYBD-Gf7g_Y-RFOQ_aem_gjoP1DRHq4hljnQfYNt1Tw&tab=t.0 =h.4dyd1sys4aas

CALL TO ACTION Responding to 10/1 AHCCCS & DDD Policy Changes Versión en Español - Ver Aquí BACKGROUND On October 1, 2025, AHCCCS and DDD plan to implement sweeping changes to habilitation and attendant care services. These changes were not part of the versions shared during public comm...

09/14/2025

Please sign the below to help make a change with the October 1st cuts. Together we can make a difference.

Sign the petition

09/07/2025

If you are a parent/guardian of a member who will be affected by the caps in Habilitation or Attendant Care, please complete the below survey by midnight tonight (Saturday). The information collected will be used by advocates meeting with DDD, AHCCCS, and attorneys starting Monday. Having accurate data is essential in efforts to challenge and overturn these caps. Your input matters - please do this now!

This survey is designed to gather accurate, member-specific data from Arizona families and caregivers impacted by the policies published Sept 3rd adjusting Attendant Care (ATC) and Habilitation (HAH) hours with upcoming October 1 start date along with how the 40 hour rule for PPCG participants impac...

09/06/2025

𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄 - 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗛𝗖𝗕𝗦 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗮

From the bottom of my heart, I am asking you to stop and read this. On October 1, 2025, AHCCCS/DDD will impose new rules that place age-based limits on Habilitation and Attendant Care. This means children will lose services simply because of their age, no matter their individual needs. These changes will devastate families, threaten health and safety, and strip away independence for our most vulnerable members.

We only have 3 weeks to stop this. One letter, one email, one voice can make a difference.

𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗟

Governor Katie Hobbs

ppcg@azahcccs.gov

civilrights@azag.gov

ombudsman@azdes.gov

CQM@azahcccs.gov

DDDCustomerServiceCenter@azdes.gov

Please email each contact separately (do not group them together).

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿/𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹

Introduce yourself and your loved one.

Explain how these age-based restrictions will harm your child or member (loss of safety, risk of injury/elopement, regression, possible hospitalization).

Emphasize that services must be based on each person’s individual needs, not age.

Ask what law or policy gives AHCCCS/DDD the authority to reduce hours based on age rather than assessment.

Cite that federal Medicaid requires person-centered planning and access to medically necessary services.

Urge them to pause or reverse these policies before October 1, 2025.

Need help writing? You can use ChatGPT to draft your letter. Just copy the points above, add your personal story, and ask it to create a letter. Review it for accuracy and make any edits before sending.

𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆@𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴:

The Governor’s direct contact links,

Affinity’s detailed outline of the policy changes (with links and documents) - it was emailed Saturday 9/6/25 to all Affinity Families, members and providers.

Affinity’s advocacy email that explains in more detail how you can take action - it was emailed Saturday 9/6/25 to all Affinity Families, members and providers.

Even if this does not affect your family, it affects others who desperately need your voice. Think back to when your child was younger, or a special someone in your life used services and how critical these supports were. Please, do it today, do it this weekend.

Together, our voices can protect the rights and futures of Arizona’s most vulnerable. ❤️

Tracy Stewart
Executive Director
Affinity Family Care