About Us
The Independent Oversight Committees (IOC), previously referred to as the Human Rights Committees (HRC), was established in the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) on August 3, 2018.
The transition of the Independent Oversight Committees (IOC) consolidated the various client services committees under one administration. The 9 committees are comprised of more than 60 passionate volunteers and collectively have thousands of years of industry experience. The committees provide an advocate/client/guardian perspective to multi-billion dollar programs in developmental disabilities and mental health services.
The committees' operations rely on agency representatives to provide staff, training, and operational support. Agency support staff, generally, consist of subject matter experts from the client operations centers and support units where the program resides, and where similar federal requirements for such oversight exist.
The requirement for the IOCs are defined in the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 41-3801 through 41-3804. Per statute the purpose of each committee is to provide independent oversight to:
- Ensure the rights of clients are protected.
- Review incidents of possible abuse, neglect or denial of a client's rights.
- Make recommendations to the director and the legislature regarding laws, rules, policies, procedures and practices to ensure the protection of clients receiving behavioral health and developmental disability services.
All the committees are comprised of a similar structure consisting of 7-15 members and membership requirements vary by committee. Committee members come from diverse backgrounds and fulfill many requirements including:
- Psychology
- Law
- Medicine
- Education
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Public Safety
- Members receiving services, or the immediate family members, or guardians
Each agency committee regularly interfaces with agency staff, contracted providers, and members receiving services in the course of their duties. The IOC scope or area of focus varies by agency, but all IOCs have the same goal - improve outcomes for members receiving services in the system.