Message from the Director
Legislative Session Begins
By Jim DeBeaugrine, Director
March in Tallahassee means the legislature is in session for the next two months. As for any state agency, this is a critical time to make sure lawmakers understand what is occurring within our agency and what the expected agency needs are when they craft the state budget for the coming year. I, along with other APD managers, have presented before several committees to share updates.
APD's legislative package focuses on the individuals the agency serves.
- Strengthens the law to safeguard APD customers against abuse, neglect, exploitation.
- Creates more effective tools to deal with providers who are not meeting expectations.
- Requires calls to the Abuse Hotline about a vulnerable adult to be transferred to local law enforcement.
- Allows certain providers to apply topical and other non-invasive medications.
- Revises current law related to due process hearings for the Medicaid waiver.
Another hot topic being discussed at the Capitol is changing background screening laws. A proposed bill substantially rewrites requirements for background screening of the persons and businesses that deal primarily with vulnerable populations. Key changes made by the bill:
- Require that no person required to be screened may begin work until the screening has been completed.
- Increase all Level 1 screening to Level 2 screening.
- Require all fingerprints to be submitted electronically by July 1, 2012.
- Require certain personnel that are not presently being screened to begin Level 2 screening.
- Add additional serious crimes to the list of disqualifying offenses.
- Authorize agencies to request the retention of fingerprints by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
- Provide that an exemption for a disqualifying felony may not be granted until at least three years from the completion of all sentencing sanctions for that felony.
- Require that all exemptions from disqualification be granted only by the agency head.
All of these proposals, if approved, would take effect on July 1.
Another aspect of session is Capitol Days. Several organizations that serve people with disabilities will hold an informational day at the Capitol.
- Arc Day- March 4
- Transportation Disadvantaged Day – March 25
- Developmental Disabilities Day – March 16
An important Web site for individuals interested in the happenings at the Capitol is the on-line Sunshine Web site: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/.
This site has the full text of bills, staff analysis, and other beneficial information. To follow legislative activities, it is important to be familiar with the site and know how to use it.
Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.
Lt. Governor Visits Sunland
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp visited the Sunland Center in Marianna on February 10 to check out some of the programs on the campus. Kottkamp's first stop was the recycling center. Recycling Program Manager Lori Burke explained all the different activities happening at the center. The Lt. Gov. took time to meet and talk to the residents working in the facility. He seemed impressed with the volume of recyclables produced at the location.
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Kottkamp's final stop was Pathways, which is a secure facility for people who have been found incompetent to proceed to trial due to low IQ. Pathways Director Clint Cox gave a tour of the building explaining how people come to the facility and about the structured programming designed to improve behaviors. After several years of improved behavior, judges allow some residents to live in less secure homes.
Rish Park Reopens
The William J. (Billy Joe) Rish Recreational Park on Cape San Blas in Florida's panhandle has reopened after being closed for two years because of renovations. Rish Park, which originally opened in 1975, is the state's only park specifically for people with disabilities and is operated by APD. The park is located at 6773 Cape San Blas Road in Gulf County.
The park is named after former State Representative Billy Joe Rish who was instrumental in securing the land from the federal government in 1968 and designating it for use by people with disabilities. Members of the Rish family attended a Grand Reopening ceremony, held at the park on February 18. Jay Rish spoke to the crowd about his father's concern for others and how he instilled that value in his children. Other dignitaries at the event included former House Speaker Allan Bense who helped secure state funding for the park's renovations.
Several disability organizations sponsored the reopening event in addition to APD, including the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association and the Family Network on Disabilities.
More than $3 million worth of renovations have been completed at Rish Park. A handicapped accessible boardwalk to the beach is now finished. Two group cabins and two family cabins were modernized. The swimming pool was also repaired and improved. All of the updated facilities are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine said, "We are excited to have Rish Park opened again. With all the renovations, it is truly a barrier-free recreational area for people with disabilities as designed. We want Floridians with disabilities to come and stay at the park and enjoy the pristine beaches and beautiful outdoor environment the park provides."
The park is now open to visitors who are Florida residents with disabilities and their families. If you would like to make a reservation, contact APD's Sunland Center in Marianna at (850) 482-9386.
APD Director Presents iBudget Concept
On February 2, APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine attended the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities winter meeting in Clearwater Beach to present on the Agency's individual budgeting proposal called iBudget Florida. DeBeaugrine reported the Florida Legislature required development of an iBudget plan that was due on February 1, 2010, and APD has delivered a report that was developed with stakeholder input including representatives from Florida ARF.
The legislature is now reviewing the plan. If the legislature approves the plan and gives APD direction to move forward, federal approval for implementation must be obtained and a phase-in would begin in the fall of 2010 with full implementation planned for 2011.
The plan in now available at http://apd.myflorida.com/ibudget/ibudget-florida-plan.htm.
Personal Care Provider Deadline Extended
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has extended the enrollment period for unlicensed providers interested in furnishing personal care services through the Medicaid State Plan. The January issue of the Champion had reported that there was a deadline of March 1, 2010. AHCA has extended the deadline indefinitely, which is good news for providers who may not have been aware of the deadline.
Local Medicaid offices and APD's area offices are continuing to work together to ensure that all current waiver providers of personal care services have an opportunity to enroll as Medicaid State Plan providers. A new law requires children receiving personal care services through the Developmental Disabilities Home and Community-Based Services Waiver to receive these services under the Medicaid State Plan.
Interested providers should contact their local Medicaid area office for help with the enrollment process. Visit http://ahca.myflorida.com/Medicaid/Areas/index.shtml to obtain contact information for Medicaid area offices throughout Florida.
AHCA Holds DD Handbook Hearing
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) will hold a hearing at the end of this month concerning a proposed amendment to Rule 59G-13.083, entitled Developmental Disabilities Waiver Services. The purpose of the amendment is to incorporate the revised Florida Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Waiver Services Coverage and Limitations Handbook, May 2010. The effect of the amendment will be to reduce paperwork requirements for providers. The handbook revisions include a comprehensive review of each service and the addition of tier waiver details.
The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 31, from 2 until 4 p.m., at AHCA's headquarters at 2727 Mahan Drive, Building 3, Conference Room C, in Tallahassee. If you have questions regarding the proposed rule, please contact:
Pam Kyllonen
Medicaid Services
2727 Mahan Drive
Mail Stop 20
Tallahassee, Florida 32308-5407
(850) 412-4261
kyllonep@ahca.myflorida.com
Anyone requiring a special accommodation at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact Kyllonen at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please call the Bureau of Medicaid Services using the Florida Dual Party Relay System at 1-800-955-8770 (voice) and 1-800-955-8771 (TDD).
Around the State
Waiting List Forum Held in Palm Beach County
APD's Area 9 office and the Family Care Council co-sponsored an informational provider fair. The event was held on Saturday, January 30, at the Palm Beach County Therapeutic Recreation Center in Lake Worth.
The event included face painting for children and individuals on the Medicaid waiver waiting list. At least 45 families attended.
Participating agencies and providers included the Department of Children and Families, Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Security, Gulfsteam Goodwill, the Arc of Palm Beach County, Area 9 Family Care Council, and various support groups and vendors.
Area 15 Hosts Supported Employment Training
By Peter Karlan, MSL, Area 15 Administrator
On February 23, APD employees Sheila Wilson, Jose Pinto (Medicaid Infrastructure Grant employment consultant), and I had the privilege to provide a Supported Employment Overview Training to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) area leadership and counselors. Area 3 VR Program Administrator Wayne Olsen and Performance Improvement Consultant David Givens came down from Orlando for the training, as well as Area Director Steve Palumbo and Supervisor Tina Herzik from Abilities. We were also very excited to have a majority of the area VR and Abilities counselors attend. APD Area 7 Employment Liaison Authur Barndt also made the trip down from Orlando to participate.
The purpose of the training was to share the philosophy and ideology behind supported employment, and further develop collaborative efforts among our programs. It was interesting to realize through the dialogue how the new order of selection within VR dovetails with the scope and purpose of supported employment by serving individuals with the most significant disabilities. It was a very interactive training in which all parties shared their unique perspectives regarding the challenges and benefits of supported employment. It was also a very productive way to increase the ongoing commitment to competitive employment for the individuals we jointly serve.
In addition, it was nice to see a lot of the VR and Abilities counselors that I used to work with on a daily basis when I was a VR vendor. We look forward to continuing the communication and collaboration in the future.
"What You Should Know" Forums Continue
On January 30, the Area 3 Family Care Council and Area 3 APD office co-sponsored the second in a series of "What You Should Know" informational forums for people who are on the waiting list for the Medicaid waiver. The forum was held at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. Despite inclement weather, over 30 enthusiastic attendees arrived ready to learn about supports available to them.
Area 3 Administrator Jim Smith kicked off the event by providing a summary of the statute regarding the prioritization of the Medicaid waiver waiting list, as well as an invitation to provide comments as the accompanying rule is being developed.
The main event was a presentation regarding the various aspects of guardianship which had been requested at the previous forum. APD attorney Julie Waldman provided an overview of the law and a description of the varying levels of advocacy and guardianship available. Her thorough and easy-to-understand talk was very well received by the audience.
Wanda Lee of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation gave a presentation on services that are available through VR. Her presentation was followed by an update on APD support coordination by Ed Cowles, program specialist with the APD Area 3 office. Frank Carroll, the Area 3 Family Care Council chairperson, provided an introduction to the Family Care Council and an open invitation to join.
The day closed with speakers answering a number of questions from the attentive audience.
iBudget Meeting Held in South Florida
By Martha Martinez, Area 10 Administrator
On January 22, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities South Florida iBudget Community Meeting was held at the Lucanus Developmental Center in Hollywood. The public meeting provided APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine the opportunity to present the iBudget Florida plan on individualized budgets that the agency is submitting to the Legislature.
This open forum also allowed about 150 individuals, families, and providers from areas 9, 10, and 11 the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the direction of the agency personally with its director.
Art That Will Floor You!
Employees and customers in APD's Area 11 office recently participated in an art demonstration as part of the City of Miami's Parks and Recreation Program. The customers created "floor art" using a device that can be adapted for individuals at any level of mobility. The participants cut shapes from foam and attached the shapes to a large roller on the device, which is then filled with paint. The art is created on paper attached to the floor, either by pushing the device or attaching it to a wheelchair. The end result is a collage of shapes and colors!
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Hearts from the Heart
By Ann Douglas
Hearts of gold can certainly be found in the employees of Area 2 in the Tallahassee vicinity. At a January staff meeting, Operations Administrator Jane Tillman mentioned that many APD customers who are nursing home residents have little or no family contact. These individuals are often forgotten at holiday time. That's all it took for the employees to set their sites on Valentine's Day.
Sharon Stephens, human services program specialist, took the lead in contacting several Tallahassee nursing homes and assisted living facilities where five individuals live. With a list in hand of each person's needed items, hobbies, and diet restrictions, the Tallahassee staff went shopping. Before long, five large gift bags, packaged for each person, were full of toiletry items, socks, puzzles, magazines, fruit, mugs, snacks, cards, Valentine bears, lots of other fun trinkets, and Valentine cards (some homemade) expressing the employees' love and good wishes.
Delivery day on Friday, February 12, brought smiles and laughter as the social services unit made up of Natasha Pressley, Cydeon Trueblood, and Stephens visited with each individual and presented a Valentine goodie bag. The entire experience was so rewarding that plans are in the works to make this an annual event that will hopefully expand to include additional Valentine buddies next year.
Ready for your Close-Up, Ms. Harlow!
An APD employee in the Suncoast Area office is becoming a TV star! Laurie Harlow, regional program supervisor, will appear on a television program entitled "Aging on the Suncoast" to discuss the partnership between APD and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs).
The partnership came about through a grant that the U.S. Administration on Aging awarded to ADRCs. The grant will enable the ADRC in the St. Petersburg area to add people with developmental disabilities to the population that it serves. A goal of the partnership is to develop long-term strategies for addressing the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities during their later years.
The 30-minute program is produced by the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas and is carried on cable TV systems in both counties. Harlow's edition will air throughout the month of March. For showtimes and channels, visit www.agingcarefl.org/resources/suncoast or view the program online by visiting www.pinellascounty.org/tv/totallist.htm and clicking on "Aging on the Suncoast," listed under "News and Information."
Making Milestones
By Ann DouglasRuth Ogburn could not be happier with her job. "It's about the best job in the world. I like everything about it," said Ogburn. Ogburn has been employed at a Tallahassee WalMart since 1993.
JoAnn Mullarkey, Ogburn's co-worker and mentor said, "Ruth's an awesome person and a great worker. She'll do anything asked of her, and with enthusiasm. She knows her job responsibilities and does them without supervision."
Ogburn's primary tasks are unpacking clothing, discarding the boxes and plastic wrap the garments are shipped in, keeping the dressing rooms and bathrooms picked up, and emptying the trash bins.
"She's an important part of our team," added Mullarkey. "Plus she's fun to be around."
The store's assistant manager, Tommie Beth Willis, said, "Ruth's upbeat personality projects the company's image. She has a special quality that makes it easy for her to follow WalMart's 10-foot rule."
- JoAnn Mullarkey,
co-worker
The 10-foot rule states that any time a WalMart associate comes within 10 feet of a customer or another associate, the employee is to speak to the person, to either exchange a pleasantry or offer help.
"Ruth never had to be taught the rule; she does it naturally, and always with a smile," said Willis.
Although Ogburn has, for the most part, been able to maintain her job without the assistance of a job coach, there have been occasions in which she has needed a little help to learn new skills or polish her job performance. When this happens, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities pays for a job coach to provide training and support on a temporary basis. APD also funds a supported living coach to assist Ogburn with tasks such as grocery shopping and bill paying so she can live independently in her apartment. APD's goal is to support individuals in their desire to be as self-sufficient as possible in the community.
Ogburn achieved a special milestone in 2008 receiving her 15 years of service certificate from WalMart. She accepted it with a broad smile and much pride in her achievement.
Free Tax Preparation Offered
The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities is expanding its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) initiative to increase awareness of the free tax preparation service. The target audience is persons with disabilities in the Big Bend area. Some of the areas this program may provide assistance with are:
- Earned Income Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- The New Making Work Pay Credit
- First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Visit the Advocacy Center's Web site to learn more: http://advocacycenter.org/resources/disability_topic_info/category/free_tax_preparation
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