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Report Highlights Overworked Case Workers For Arizona's Developmentally Disabled Residents

Challenges at the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Developmental Disabilities Division are not getting any better.

Stories of poor conditions for both clients and caseworkers are hardly new, but the stunning state of care for people with developmental disabilities is facing renewed scrutiny. 

Hannah Critchfield of Phoenix New Times recently reported on the current state of the Developmental Disabilities Division, where fewer than 1,000 caseworkers are expected to meet with their dozens of clients every 90 days. Critchfield reported that state policy requires caseworkers to have no more than 40 clients at a time, but that some are actually serving as many as 120 people. So, why has nothing changed? 

Erica McFadden is the executive director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. She is familiar with the struggles of caseworkers and their clients alike, and she joined The Show to put this into perspective.

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Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.