Families, lawmakers press Arizona House to protect developmental‑disability services as leaders warn of imminent shortfalls

Dozens of family members, caregivers and advocates were introduced on the Arizona House floor on March 18, 2025, and repeatedly urged lawmakers to preserve funding for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and related programs.

The visitors — parents and people who use services — told the chamber that proposed cuts to DDD and so‑called gap funding for home‑ and community‑based services would force institutionalization, interrupt therapies and, in some cases, jeopardize lives. Representative De Los Santos introduced a number of those guests and read their messages, saying the services are “not a luxury” but “a lifeline.”

Why it matters: Representatives from both parties said the funding question is urgent. Multiple speakers on the floor linked the program shortfalls to the state budget process and to recent executive requests to cover immediate gaps. Members on the floor gave differing explanations for how the shortfalls arose and who should act to fix them.

On the floor, Representative Neil Carter read from a notice he said the legislature had received from the Department of Child Safety that described emergency consequences if funding was not provided: “the department would have no other option but to undertake emergency measures by having kids stay in welcome centers, or sleep in DCS offices,” he said on the floor. That wording was read into the record as received by lawmakers.

Several members specifically described the potential effects on the adults and children who rely on DDD and related programs. Representative Sandoval and others introduced family members who described losing respite care, therapies and nursing supports. Speakers repeatedly warned that loss of “parents as paid caregivers” or other gap funding would force families into crisis or lead to institutional placements.

Members differed sharply on blame and remedy. Representative Gress faulted state executive budgeting in a floor speech, calling recent lapses “irresponsible” and saying programs were at risk because of decisions by the governor’s office. Other lawmakers, including Representative De Los Santos and members who spoke for guests in the gallery, called for an immediate supplemental appropriation and urged colleagues to pass emergency funding “today.”

Process and status: On the floor there was no final appropriation vote for DDD during this session. Lawmakers discussed supplemental requests and staff processes; Representative Lupe Contreras and others described prior routine supplemental requests and urged a bipartisan solution. JLBC Chair Representative Livingston later said a recent DCS request was mailed to the wrong address and that the Joint Legislative Budget Committee was working to address timing and funding options.

Clarifying points from the record: multiple speakers said DDD funding could be exhausted in April; the Department of Child Safety message referenced an immediate cash shortfall for congregate care that, according to lawmakers, could affect placements as soon as the coming week. The specific dollar amounts for the DDD gap or the proposed supplemental were discussed in committee and agency correspondence but not fully resolved on the floor during this session.

What’s next: Lawmakers on both sides said the matter requires prompt action by appropriators and by the governor’s office, and several members called for staff meetings and follow‑up with JLBC. No final legislative appropriation was recorded in the daily floor business during this session.