Arizona Children’s Colony Board
Arizona State Library, Archives & Records COVID-19 Response – Temporarily suspending all in-person services, while maintaining our statutory responsibilities
- Our number one goal is to keep the public and our employees safe
- The situation related to COVID-19 is rapidly developing, as is the response from this office and the state. Please check back regularly for updates
- We are committed to providing continuity of services while reducing exposure risks
- In-person trainings for ALL divisions are on hold until further notice. Divisions will hold trainings by webinar as needed.
- Department staff will attend community meetings virtually or by phone, when available.
- Services impacted:
- In-person Patent and Trademark Resource Center consultations
- The Arizona Capitol Museum is closed until further notice.
- In-person retrieval and immediate checkout of materials to patrons of Arizona Talking Book Library
- Walk-in reference service for Archives & the Research Library
- Ask a Question - online reference service
- Digital Arizona Library, including statewide electronic resources
- Records retention schedules assistance
- Arizona Talking Book Library requests and link to downloads
- Tools and resources for library staff
- Online continuing education for library staff
- Consulting for library staff on grants, electronic resources, digital inclusion efforts, Public Library Survey and all library services
- Communications channel for County Librarians
- E-rate Services offered online and by phone
- Arizona Capitol Museum Giftshop orders can still be placed online
- Arizona Capitol Museum collections can be viewed online through the Arizona Memory Project and Google Cultural Institute
- Arizona Capitol Museum staff can respond to email and phone call inquiries.
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AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Department of Economic Security- Developmental Disabilities
Authority:
State Department of Developmental Disability within the Arizona Department of Economic Security. See Title 36, Chapter 5.1, Articles 1 – 5 (A.R.S. § 36-551 to 36-596.07)
Function:
Responsible for developing a statewide plan, programs and services for persons with developmental disabilities in locations where the programs and services are necessary, including child services, adult services, residential services and resource services.
History:
The Arizona Children’s Colony was established by Laws 1927, Chapter 96, to care for and educate “mentally defective children in the state of Arizona” and to “develop each child to the fullest, making him as independent and self-sustaining as his limited capacities will permit.” (1951 Annual Report) The colony was under the direct supervision and control of the Arizona State Board of Education and was to be located in Tempe as part of the Tempe State Teachers College.
In 1945 the Arizona Children’s Colony Board was created, which assumed jurisdiction of the Colony from the board of State Institutions for Juveniles. Governor Sidney P. Osborn approved the bill reluctantly, explaining in a letter to Secretary of State Dan E. Garvey, dated October 11, 1945 that “nothing is accomplished except transfer of jurisdiction…[which]…is rather a ludicrous situation when it is remembered that Arizona has no Children’s Colony for the reason that the Legislature has never made an appropriation whereby one could be built and equipped.” (Letter follows the text of the legislation, Laws 1945, First Special Session, Chapter 34)
The Children’s Colony was built on 255 acres of land adjacent to Highway 87 south of Randolph, Arizona. It grew to accommodate over 1,000 children and adults. In 1970 the colony was renamed to the Arizona Training Center, Coolidge and the duties were transferred to the newly established State Department of Mental Retardation (Laws 1970, Chapter 168). In 1981, the Department was renamed the State Department of Developmental Disability (Laws 1981, Chapter 195) and operates as a division of the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Sources:
- Annual Report 1947 and 1951
- Session Laws: Laws 1927, Chapter 96; Laws 1945, First Special Session, Chapter 34;
- Laws 1970, Chapter 168; Laws 1981, Chapter 195.
- A.R.S. §§ 36-551 to 36-596.07
