Community Engagement

The Office of Community Engagement is committed to engaging partners with respect, kindness, and transparency to foster communication between human services providers, faith-based organizations, the business sector, and the community at large to better serve Arizona’s most vulnerable. The Office of Community Engagement is a conduit to bridge internal and external communication gaps and support the Arizona Department of Economic Security efforts throughout the state.  In order to achieve this mission, the office was strategically developed to include Community Engagement Liaisons in the Northern, Central, and Southern Regions of the State.  In addition, there are programmatic Liaisons that facilitate the sharing of information between divisions within the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the community. The office is committed to building stronger internal and external partnerships to promote and improve the quality of human services.

Ombudsman

The Ombudsman offers assistance to clients who are experiencing issues with DES programs and services, and have been unable to work through the normal channels within the agency to address their concerns. In addition, the Ombudsman has broad powers to look into a situation and make recommendations. However, the Ombudsman does not have the authority to make or reverse a decision or to set policy.

Volunteer Engagement

The Volunteer Engagement Center recruits and supports volunteers as active partners in achieving the department’s mission. In addition, the volunteer program connects our partners with volunteers opportunities designed to assist the community.

Tribal Relations

The Arizona Department of Economic Security recognizes the importance of highlighting its commitment, perspective and resources to serve as a focal point for bringing pertinent information to Arizona’s 22 Federally-Recognized American Indian Tribes. The Office of Tribal Relations serves as the point of contact for all twenty-two Indian Nations and Tribes throughout Arizona to address the needs from the Tribes and assist on a variety of human services issues. The Office of Tribal Relations also provides guidance, assistance and suggestions to DES on various policy issues with a specific focus to Tribal Government consultation and cultural awareness, and works to educate DES program staff about the Arizona Indian Nation and Tribes to focus on particular strengths, needs and opportunities for partnership and collaborations.