Message from the Director
Mid-Session Legislative Update
By Jim DeBeaugrine, Director
This week marks the halfway point of the 60-day Legislative Session. So far, the budget for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year has dominated the attention of the legislators with floor votes for both budget bills (SB 2700 and HB 5001), putting them in the posture for conference after the Passover and Easter holidays. Below are some highlights of the proposed budgets by the House and Senate as of April 1, 2010 for APD:
- Currently the House bill eliminates behavior assistant services in standard and behavior-focus group homes and caps Tier 1 at $120,000 a year.
- If the enhanced federal Medicaid match is not extended by six months, the Senate bill reduces the caps on Tiers 2, 3, and 4 by 10 percent and reduces provider rates by 10 percent. The House bill does not have this provision.
- The House also reduces the geographic differential in residential rehabilitation rates, from 7.5 percent to 4.5 percent in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties and from 20 percent to 15 percent in Monroe County. The Senate bill does not have this provision.
In addition, there is a budget conforming bill related to APD in both the House and Senate. A conforming bill aligns substantive law found in the Florida Statutes to budget decisions contained in the General Appropriations Act. Notable provisions are as follows:
- Both bills establish the new iBudget Florida individual budget method for financing services.
- The House bill postpones implementation of the waiting list prioritization passed last session for categories 3 through 7 until July 1, 2012.
- The House bill moves due process hearings from the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) to the Department of Children and Families. (DCF).
The conference process now begins which will result in the final decisions necessary to send a budget to the Governor. It is important for interested persons to check reliable sources very frequently each day. The Florida Channel offers excellent coverage. More direct sources for those with Internet access are the House and Senate Web sites. The address for the House is www.myfloridahouse.com and the Senate is www.flsenate.gov.
With the budget being the focus of the session up to this point, there has been less action regarding nonbudget-related legislation. However, look for more substantive bills to start moving in the sixth week, beginning on April 5. Policy subjects of note include:
- Autism
- The use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities in schools
- John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program
- Background screening
- Adult Protective Services
- Medicaid buy-in for persons with disabilities
- Prepaid Developmental Disabilities Savings Program
- Community residential homes
The sources listed above are good resources for tracking the progress of any of these substantive bills.
I want to close by commending all the self-advocates and others who have shown up at the Capitol to advocate for individuals with disabilities. I had the pleasure of running into many of you and seeing you in action. All of you did a great job.
Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.
Florida Arc Hosts Advocacy Day
Hundreds of people showed their support for the Arc programs around the state by converging at the Capitol on March 4 for Arc of Florida Advocacy Day. Despite a chilly and blustery day in the Capitol courtyard, everyone had a good time listening to speakers that included several legislators and APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine. Several speakers encouraged advocates to make the time to talk to their legislators while in Tallahassee.
Family Care Council members Patty Houghland and Phil Pearson presented Arc Executive Director Deborah Linton with a care package for session that included chocolates.
After a pizza lunch, Arc supporters enjoyed dancing to music and other entertainment. Arc of Florida is the oldest statewide association advocating for people with disabilities.
Disabilities Day Celebrated
The second floor rotunda of the Capitol was filled with people participating in Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day on March 16. Agencies serving people with disabilities set up informational tables around the rotunda area. Individuals with disabilities and their family members visited with their legislators throughout the day. At 10 a.m., a news conference was held with legislators, advocates, and dignitaries, including APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine.
The special day was organized by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. The council presented its first Idelio Valdes Award to self-advocate Frank Shalett of Broward County. The award is named after a former council member who was a self-advocate with a developmental disability. Idelio Valdes passed away last year. The award recognizes his can-do spirit.
Transportation Means Independence
Making sure transportation is available to those who need it was the message being shared at the Capitol on March 25. The Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged hosted a celebration and encouraged interested citizens to share their desire for adequate transportation with their legislators during the day. Transportation providers and organizations serving people with disabilities had tabletop displays both inside the Capitol and outside in the courtyard. Music and entertainment was provided by the Pyramid Players and the Mountain Dew Cloggers.
APD's own JR Harding is the chairman of the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. Harding spoke about the need to advocate for independence through the availability of transportation services in communities.
APD Scores Davis Awards
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities is a big winner in the 2010 Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards. The agency's awards, announced on March 23 by APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine, include a cash award, two plaques, three certificates of commendation, and an honorable mention.
"I am especially proud of the fact that all of the nominations that APD submitted earned awards this year--proof of our dedication to the people we serve," DeBeaugrine wrote in an e-mail. "This is just one of the many ways in which APD employees distinguish themselves by doing the best job that they can."
The cash award goes to Sue Holland, who nowadays divides her work time between Gulf Coast Center in Fort Myers and Tacachale Center in Gainesville.
"I am honored that my work has been chosen for recognition by this prestigious organization and appreciate the many dedicated state employees I work with on a day-to-day basis," says Holland. "Knowing my work has a positive impact on the people we serve and the State of Florida is the true motivation, but this award is definitely the icing on the cake!"
Congratulations to all of the agency's Davis winners, who are listed below:
- Sue Holland, Gulf Coast Center in Fort Myers, won a Distinguished Cash Award in the individual category. She had obtained interim rates from Medicaid in order to bill the true cost of running the center during its phase-down process, generating more than $2 million in additional federal revenue.
- Jo Ann Harper, Mentally Retarded Defendant Program (MRDP), Chattahoochee, earned a plaque in the individual category, for analyzing the program's inventory and ordering processes. The streamlining and cost-saving measures she suggested saved about $25,000.
- Kimberly Hatcher, Sunland Center, Marianna, receives a plaque in the individual category for negotiating with private medical service providers to reduce the cost of medical services for noninsured individuals. The result was a net savings of more than $79,000, which was a 79 percent reduction from the amounts originally billed.
- Frank Houston, Area 9, West Palm Beach, won a Certificate of Commendation in the individual category for making recommendations based on extensive quality assurance reviews, investigations, and audits. This three-year effort resulted in the recoupment of more than $45,000 in improper charges.
- Donna Carle, Dr. Elaine Hutchison, Area Administrator Jim Smith, and Tonicha Richardson, Area 3, Gainesville, won a Certificate of Commendation as the Behavioral Services Team. They implemented brief, targeted telephone prompts to increase vendor reporting by 42 percent and reduce costs by 98 percent.
- Melanie Etters and Jeff Saulich, Central Office, Tallahassee, earned a Certificate of Commendation as the Communications Office Team for conducting a statewide public awareness campaign to promote employment of people with disabilities. The campaign earned media coverage worth about $1 million.
- Keri Bassett and Faith Bentley, MRDP, Chattahoochee, won an Honorable Mention as the Workers' Compensation Cost Reduction Team. They worked in partnership with managers, the local safety committee, and staff members to reduce the length of Workers' Compensation claims. Employees returned to work sooner, saving $127,000.
APD Claims PR Awards
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities won three awards during the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association’s Image Awards on March 31 in Tallahassee.
APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine and Communications Director Melanie Mowry Etters, APR, CPRC, accepted the awards on behalf of APD.
The agency submitted two entries. The entry for APD's Champion newsletter received an Award of Distinction. The other entry was for the agency's public awareness campaign promoting the employment of people with disabilities, which culminated with Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. It earned two awards---the Image Award, the highest award for the entry's category, and the Judges Award for producing a quality program with limited resources.
The APD Communications Office includes Etters, Jeff Saulich, Kimberly Tharpe, Susan Williams, and Georgia LoCastro. The award for the Champion is shared with Webmaster Lloyd Harger.
In addition, the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association bestowed its most prestigious award upon Etters during last night’s ceremony. She was presented with The Stanley Tait Professional Award which recognizes support for the organization, professionalism, and leadership.
Lt. Governor Announces Data Sharing Project
By Jeff Saulich
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp held a press conference in the Capitol on March 25 to announce an information sharing project that was spearheaded by the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, which he chairs. Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis, Chief Child Advocate Jim Kallinger, and APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine were among the participating dignitaries.
The project, called the Children and Youth Cabinet Information Sharing System (CYCISS), will be a multi-agency data sharing system. It will allow eight state agencies that serve Florida's children—including APD—to better communicate, collaborate, and improve service delivery. Data will be shared quickly and cost effectively, and service overlaps and gaps between agencies will be identified and eliminated—all in an effort to help keep Florida's children safe.
"By using cutting edge technology, we will be able to better serve the children of Florida," said Kottkamp. "The Children and Youth Cabinet is bridging the communication gap that exists between our state agencies that serve children."
The technology will be provided by Metatomix, a Massachusetts company specializing in developing systems for sharing data between different information technology systems. The project will utilize the company's Justice Inquiry System (JIS), which is currently used in all of Florida's 67 counties.
"Metatomix has been working hand-in-hand with the state of Florida for the past seven years," said the company's chief executive officer, Jeff Dickerson. "We have the experience, as well as the results, to deliver the right data sharing solution for this important initiative."
The Florida Children and Youth Cabinet was created in July 2007 by Governor Charlie Crist to help coordinate state agencies and programs that deliver children's services. Visit http://www.flgov.com/youth_cabinet for more information on the Children and Youth Cabinet, including details on the CYCISS.
For more information about Metatomix, visit www.metatomix.com.
APD Customer Named Ms. Wheelchair Florida
By Eileen O'Brien, M.A., LMHCAPD customer Shannon Horne is the new Ms. Wheelchair Florida for 2010. The CDC+ participant in Area 4 was crowned on March 20 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Tampa.
Horne is a 28-year-old mother of two who is active in several sports including skiing and surfing. As Ms. Wheelchair Florida, she will have an opportunity to speak with the governor on disability issues and the honor of representing Florida in the Ms. Wheelchair America competition in August 2010.
Horne's platform is "True beauty lies within." She believes that each of us has true beauty within, regardless of ability level. She hopes to inspire people to embrace the unique potential in each of us.
The Ms. Wheelchair Florida competition is an advocacy competition for women who use wheelchairs. It is not a beauty contest but rather emphasizes knowledge of disability issues, poise in public speaking, self concept, and achievement.
The judges for this year's competition included Arizona Jenkins, Florida Self Advocacy Project; Karen Gillman, Intelligent Office, Tampa; and Sandra Sroka, ADA liaison for Hillsborough County.
Horne is available for interviews and speaking engagements; please contact me at eobrien37@tampabay.rr.com for more information. As the program director for Ms. Wheelchair Florida, I also would be happy to provide you with more details on this very worthwhile program.
Pensacola Man's Success Speaks Volumes
By Jeff SaulichLyall Frazier's fascination with books and attention to detail have led him to a job he loves. The Pensacola man, who has a developmental disability, has been working for the West Florida Public Library System for more than four years. Frazier receives supported employment services from Arc Gateway which are funded by APD.
Frazier got his first on-the-job training in library science at Workman Middle School in Pensacola. Then he worked as a library volunteer at the University of West Florida for several years, before he was hired by the public library in 2005 as a part-time library clerk.
"Lyall checks material in and out for the patrons and collects fines," said Bill Nelson, the library system's head of circulation and Frazier's supervisor. "He also has a section of book shelving that he maintains, and also does other shelves as needed."
Known for his big smile and cheerful demeanor, Frazier doesn't let anything get past him. His keen, detail-oriented mind remembers the condition of almost every item that is loaned out, in order to detect damages---such as broken spines or water damage---when items are returned.
- Bill Nelson, head of circulation
"Lyall is very meticulous about checking for details," Nelson confirmed. "If anything is missing or is marked wrong, or a tape is missing from a series, Lyall will catch it."
But Frazier looks out for the patrons' best interests, too, such as when damaged items are loaned out.
"I put a note in the books to keep patrons from being charged," Frazier said.
When asked which task he liked the most, Frazier replied, "I love them all. I love my job a lot! And the people I work with are very nice."
Nelson speaks highly of Frazier, considering him to be a very dependable employee.
"If he knows his bus is running late, he calls to let us know," Nelson said. "And he plans ahead for vacations and that sort of thing."
Not content to rest on his laurels, Frazier is looking to the future and hopes to attend college. Presently, he is taking classes at Pensacola Junior College to earn his General Educational Development (GED) diploma.
"I got a special high school diploma," Frazier said. "But I want to get a regular diploma, and that will be my GED, please!"
Around the State
APD Leaders Visit Miami
By Kirk Ryon
APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine and Deputy Director for Operations Pedro Moreno visited the MacTown transportation and adult day training programs in Miami. During the February 25 visit, DeBeaugrine and Moreno observed a MacTown workshop where APD customers were busy packaging donated medical equipment, water, clothing, and other necessities for shipment to Haiti. MacTown participants and employees are making ongoing shipments to the island country that was devastated by a January earthquake.
MacTown provides services to approximately 100 individuals—some on the Medicaid waiver, and others in Intensive-Care-Facility settings.
Ocala Man Achieves and Inspires
Thomas J. "TJ" Moon is a recent graduate of Rasmussen College in Ocala. He earned a bachelor's degree in business management with an emphasis on information technology in January. Moon is self-employed as a Web site developer and is an active volunteer in his community.
Moon grew up in foster care in Pennsylvania and Florida before he was adopted at age 11 along with his half brother. Moon has cerebral palsy, which weakens muscle coordination. He uses a wheelchair most of the time, but can walk with effort. Moon is very upbeat and has three short words of advice for people wanting to know his secret to success—"Live your life." His life is a remarkable one.
Moon is involved in academics, business, and the community, and has a passion for computer technology. Other members of the Moon family have made computers their life's work. Moon's father Howard runs a computer retail business, and his mother Holly designs Web sites. Two of his older siblings also have careers in technology. TJ Moon carries on the tradition.
Moon began designing Web sites and providing programming services as a subcontractor for other Web design services in 2006. He soon joined the Ocala Business Leaders and became actively involved. He joined the Rasmussen Techies Club in January 2007 and quickly became its president. He later stepped aside to become the chairperson of many events and became the club's webmaster.
Moon enjoys keeping up-to-date with the latest in technology and the Internet. His involvement with the METTA Grant Program, sponsored by the University of South Florida, helped him to start his own company called MoonScapes Web Solutions. Moon opened the business as a sole proprietor in December 2007. A month later, he became a member of the board of Ocala Business Leaders.
MoonScapes Web Solutions specializes in design and development, hosting, Web shopping carts, animation designs, and optimizing sites so that they are easily found by search engines. One of Moon's customers, Dr. Smith of Healthy Pet—The Mobile Vet, hired Moon to create her Web site.
"It was a wonderful experience," Smith said. "TJ was marvelous at coming up with good ideas and making an initial page especially since I was not sure what I needed or wanted. Changes were made quickly and professionally. I will definitely use his service again when I need updates on my site and I would not hesitate to recommend him to friends."
On March 4, Moon was heard on Ocala radio station WOCA-AM 1370. He was interviewed about his graduation from college, his business, his life, and about how he raised money for one of his favorite charities. When he is not volunteering with the "Hands Are Not for Hurting Expo," sponsored by the Marion County Children's Alliance, or teaching Sunday school to second graders, he enjoys playing billiards, bowling, and watching movies.
For more information about MoonScapes Web Solutions, visit www.Moonscapes.org or contact Moon at tj@Moonscapes.org or (352) 502-5994.
APD Participates in VR Meeting
By Jim Smith, Area 3 AdministratorOn February 16, employees from APD areas 3, 4, 12, and 13 participated in a collaborative training meeting with all staff from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (VR) Area 2. Over 100 participants from offices that serve 22 counties attended the daylong quarterly meeting in the Roberts Building auditorium in Jacksonville.
Joseph Belardinelli, the Disability Program Navigator of the Career and Service Centers of Southwest Florida, gave a dynamic presentation on the ins and outs of employment. He spoke from experience; his own disability is due to a spinal injury he received years ago. His severe injury did not stop him from becoming successfully employed, nor did his disability stop him from living his life in a satisfying and productive manner.
VR Area 2 Director Lydia Bush welcomed participants, noting the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration in serving mutual customers. The agenda included a comprehensive presentation on Certified Business Technical Assistance and Consultation (CBTAC) providers for supported self-employment presented by Beth Keeton, southeast regional director of the Center for Social Capital. Next was a presentation on Ticket to Work Employer Networks with Harold Thornton, VR administrator for Social Security Administration/Ticket to Work.
Concluding the agenda was a panel discussion that included specialists from VR and APD. Participation was enthusiastic, and many topics and issues were clarified.
Area 13 Waiting List Forum Held
APD's Area 13 office in Wildwood held its second quarterly informational meeting for individuals on the waiting list in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties. The March 13 meeting in Ocala was organized in partnership with the area Family Care Council (FCC) Family Forum. Area 13 Administrator David Johnston and Isabel deMartinez welcomed the large crowd, estimated to be between 150 and 200.
The keynote speaker was APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine, who spoke about the Governor's budget that would assist waiting list individuals, the proposed iBudget Florida plan, the need for local resource awareness and development, and APD's commitment to communicate with individuals on the waiting list and their families. When participants asked how they could help, DeBeaugrine encouraged contact with the agency's area offices and participation in the FCC's advocacy activities. Attendees submitted question cards, and DeBeaugrine answered each and every question informatively. He received a big round of applause in appreciation for his message, and for the attention he gave to their concerns.
Four breakout sessions followed. Marlene Ulisky, AWIC North Florida; Pam Underwood, Social Security Benefits/Work Incentives; and Beverly Kehrley, Lake County CWIC, of Brevard Achievement Center gave a talk on local work incentive assistance. Melinda Coulter, of APD's Central Office, External Affairs, discussed guardianship and other options. Elaine Carter and Eva Heape, Vocational Rehabilitation supervisors, explained VR's employment programs and services. Janice Rivers and Senthia Brigham, supervisors from ACCESS Florida, spoke on Medicaid eligibility.
FCC member Karen Huscher facilitated scrapbooking as an ongoing activity, assisted by Korey Huscher, a self advocate, and his sister Kileigh. Meanwhile, APD staff assisted families with specific interests.
Aaron Nangle, owner of WaiverProvider.com, co-sponsored the event and organized 24 resource displays that included local self-advocate entrepreneurs. He also treated the attendees to lunch, and the event's finale had everyone dancing, singing, and shouting to a live DJ with strobe lights and prizes, thrilling the self advocates and their families. It was a great way to close the day.
APD's Area 13 office and the Family Care Council thank everyone who attended and helped to make this event a great success.
Area 10 and Church Help Waiting List Individual
By Martha Martinez, Area 10 Administrator
APD's Area 10 office in Fort Lauderdale is working with a church to assist an individual on the agency's waiting list. Palm Vista Community Church of Miami contacted us about providing assistance—free of charge—to an individual served by our agency in the South Broward area. The church was offering to help with home improvements such as cleaning, painting, plumbing, and repairs.
We have selected Michelle Stewart, who lives in her own home in Pembroke Pines and will greatly benefit from the project. Stewart has agreed to participate and signed the necessary consent form, and work to improve her home has already begun. Palm Vista Community Church and APD are looking forward to making this project a success, not to mention an ongoing resource for some of the individuals on the waiting list.
Partnership Builds Community Gardens
By Bobbi Wiggins, Executive Director, Victory Living Programs
Volunteers plan to come together again to build five more community gardens in Broward County during Fleet Week, which is April 26 through May 3. During last year's Fleet Week, participants in Victory Living Programs' adult day training program teamed up with sailors from the USS Sherman Forest, USS Ashland, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma to build and plant five community garden boxes at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Margate. The project is a partnership between Victory Living and the church to assist those in need in the community. The church already has a list of individuals interested in "adopting" a new garden, once constructed.
In an effort to conserve both resources and finances, Victory Living Programs approached the American Public Works Association, South Florida Branch, to assist with developing a system to capture rainwater for irrigation of the gardens. In January of this year, the members jumped right in and developed and installed a rain collection system utilizing rain barrels.
Victory Living Programs is a nonprofit organization that works with individuals with developmental disabilities to help them live and work in the community. It offers supported living, supported employment, vocational evaluations, and adult day training. The adult day training program is held at the church, giving APD customers the opportunity to learn and utilize skills to improve their lives and the lives of others. The community gardens are part of those volunteer efforts.
West Palm Provider Helps Haiti
As cries went out for help for Haiti when a 7.0 earthquake hit the tiny nation, a Palm Beach County group joined forces with Project Medishare, a nonprofit organization, to provide assistance. Just for Kids, which owns and operates a residential group home in Wellington licensed by APD, partnered with other health care providers to make a difference.
Within days after the quake, Just for Kids arranged for RNs and LPNs to fly to Haiti and work as volunteers in the makeshift hospitals in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. All the nurses were of Haitian descent and gladly lined up to make the trip across the water to their native country.
"The experience was life changing and so gratifying," says Lourdes Faustin, who works as a nurse in the Just for Kids group home. "Although we were met with so much devastation, the smiles and gratefulness of the people were so rewarding."
Another nurse who made the trip is Mariette Vilburn, LPN. She is the sister of Myriame Cruz, an employee of APD's Area 9 office in West Palm Beach.
"Not only did we serve as nurses, we were able to translate for the other healthcare professionals," says Vilburn. "This was critical as most of the patients only spoke Creole and could not relay their symptoms adequately to the doctors."
All of the nurses who went came back with a renewed sense of gratitude as well as appreciation for having the opportunity to serve.
Just for Kids employees also worked with Haitian students at the University of Miami, staffing the phones of Project Medishare to arrange for doctors and nurses to make the journey. The group also collected food and medical supplies for the relief effort.
The organizations and corporations who worked together in this effort were glad to be able to help. Although they provided only a fraction of what was needed, they know that the Haitian people really appreciated it.
DCF Hosts State Employee Health Fair
On a brisk and windy March 4, dozens of state agencies and businesses set up informational tables around the pond at the Department of Children and Families offices in Tallahassee. The DCF Health Fair provided state employees an opportunity to learn about various businesses and also focus on their health and making healthy choices. Some employees put on their walking shoes and took a stroll around the pond while learning about things that affect their health.
Vicki McCrary and Kimberly Tharpe from the APD Central Office staffed the booth for the day. The wind caused several organizations to place their display boards on the ground to keep them from blowing over.
Autism Walk Coming Soon
The Second Annual Tallahassee Walk for Autism will be held on Thursday, April 15, as an important part of Autism Awareness Month. It will be an opportunity to join parents, self-advocates, policy makers and elected officials on the walk to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities.
The walk begins at Florida State University Law School at 1 p.m. and will conclude at the Historic Capitol with a press conference at 2 p.m. The cost to participate is $25 per person, or $50 for a family of three or more. Participants can ask for individuals or businesses to sponsor them, so they don't have to pay the fee themselves. Proceeds will benefit the Florida Chapter of the Autism Society of America and the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD).
After the press conference, participants can stay to watch a special screening of "Temple Grandin," an HBO film starring Claire Danes that depicts a woman's struggle and perseverance in her experiences with autism. The screening will take place in the Capitol's Cabinet Meeting Room from 3 until 4:50 p.m.
Register in advance at www.autismfl.com or on the day of the walk beginning at noon. Send your questions, suggestions, or comments to TallahasseeWalkForAutism2010@gmail.com. And visit www.hbo.com/movies/temple-grandin for more information about the movie, including video previews.
Two Appointed to Governor's Commission
Governor Charlie Crist announced the appointment of two individuals to the Governor's Commission on Disabilities on March 12. The new appointees are:
- Luke Murphy of Tallahassee, a retired veteran and graduate student at Florida State University, succeeding Trueman Muhrer-Irwin.
- David Darm of Tallahassee, graduate student at Florida State University, succeeding Carlos Montas.
The terms of both appointees began on March 12 and will end at the pleasure of the governor.
The Governor's Commission on Disabilities was created by Governor Crist in July 2007 to gather input from the disability community and make recommendations for legislation and policy. Visit http://dms.myflorida.com/other_programs/governor_s_commission_on_disabilities for more information.
Cover Florida Makes Progress
Cover Florida is just over a year old. But in that short period of time, more than 5,000 Floridians have enrolled in a Cover Florida plan and two of the participating plans have exceeded their annual enrollment projections.
Governor Charlie Crist obtained bipartisan support in creating Cover Florida, which makes affordable, market-driven health plans available to Florida's uninsured. No tax dollars were required to create the program's coverage options. Instead, insurance companies were allowed to develop new health care coverage products that are guaranteed to Floridians, ages 19 to 64, who have been without insurance for at least six months or who are recently unemployed. Applicants with pre-existing health conditions cannot be denied enrollment in a Cover Florida plan. A competitive bidding process was used to select six carriers with 27 health care coverage options. Two carriers are available statewide, and additional providers serve Broward, Flagler, Miami-Dade, and Volusia counties.
Visit www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com for more information about Cover Florida, including comparisons of the plans' benefits and costs.
Melanie Mowry Etters - Editor
Jeff Saulich - Photo Editor
Lloyd Harger - Web Development