Message from the Director
Session 2010 Wrap-Up
By Jim DeBeaugrine, Director
The 2010 Legislative Session concluded on April 30 with the Legislature completing its business on time. The session had high and low points for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. A major high point for APD was the passage of the individualized budget concept called iBudget Florida. I am extremely grateful to the legislature for approving iBudget, which will give unprecedented flexibility and self-direction to the people we serve while also protecting the taxpayers of Florida. In addition, important provisions to ensure the health and safety of the individuals we serve were passed.
As you know, state revenues have declined for the past four years, therefore news on the budget front was not as positive. The legislature was forced to make some difficult decisions which included a two-and-a-half percent decrease in provider rates and a two-and-a-half percent decrease in tier caps.
APD is compiling a Legislative Wrap-Up Report that will be posted on our Web site soon. In the meantime, here are highlights of the legislation and how it affects APD and the individuals we serve.
BUDGET
HB 5001
- The budget passed in HB 5001 totaled $1.013 billion in funding for APD. Of that total budget, $805 million will go toward the Medicaid waiver.
HB 5003
- The agency's conforming bill to the budget specifies that APD has deemed the Individual Cost Guidelines (ICG) and the Questionnaire for Situational Information (QSI) as reliable and valid assessment instruments to be used in determining individual tier placements.
- Age is a client characteristic to be used in the tier placement process as well.
- Tier 1 expenditures are capped at $150,000 per client each year. However, expenditures for clients in Tier 1 with a documented medical necessity requiring intensive behavioral residential habilitation services, intensive behavioral residential habilitation services with medical needs, or special medical home care, as provided in the Developmental Disabilities Waiver Services Coverage and Limitations Handbook, are not subject to the $150,000 limit on annual expenditures.
- Due to a provider rate cute of 2.5 percent, the caps of Tiers 2, 3 and 4 are reduced 2.5 percent. Tier 2 will go from $55,000 to $53,625, Tier 3 from $35,000 to $34,125 and Tier 4 from $14,792 to $14,422.
- Previous placements into Tier 4 for individuals that were formerly on the Family and Supported Living Waiver are also clarified as legislative intent.
- The creation of section 393.0622 in Florida Statutes establishes the iBudget Florida system and specifies allocation methodologies, a phase-in process for enrollment, training, and education to inform individuals on the iBudget system, and an evaluation process for the implementation of iBudget.
- Hearing rights are defined for Medicaid programs administered by APD. Any developmental services applicant or client, or his or her parent, guardian advocate, or authorized representative, may request a hearing in accordance with federal law and rules applicable to Medicaid cases and has the right to request an administrative hearing pursuant to sections 120.569 and 120.57. These hearings shall be provided by the Department of Children and Families pursuant to section 409.285 and shall follow procedures consistent with federal law and rules applicable to Medicaid cases.
- The Services for Children with Developmental Disabilities Task Force is created to make recommendations and develop a plan for the creation of, and enrollment in, the Developmental Disabilities Savings Program.
PRIORITY SUBSTANTIVE LEGISLATION
HB 91
- Requires that DCF transfer calls reporting known or suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult by someone other than a relative, caregiver, or household member to local law enforcement, increasing the likelihood that an investigation will take place to verify the health, safety, and welfare of the vulnerable adult in question.
HB 1073
- Clarifies the requirements and expectations for employees working in APD-licensed homes regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation and reflects the agency's position that all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation committed against people with developmental disabilities are unacceptable, regardless of the place where such acts are committed. This legislation also makes residential facility staff training requirements consistent with language in the Medicaid waiver handbook, which addresses all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
HB 7069
- This legislation provides for greater protection for individuals served in APD-licensed homes and developmental disabilities centers. The list of crimes covered by a Level 2 background screening for individuals working in such settings is expanded and rescreening procedures are codified.
Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.
iBudget Gets the Nod
By Hilary Brazzell
The Florida Legislature approved the development of the individual budgeting concept called iBudget Florida during the recently concluded session. The iBudget Florida program is intended to provide more self-direction and equity while making the Medicaid waiver system simpler and more sustainable. HB 5303 implements the plan for iBudget Florida developed by stakeholders and APD which was submitted on February 1, 2010. The plan can be found on APD's Web site at http://apdcares.org/ibudget/.
The agency is excited about the positive changes iBudget Florida will bring to customers, families, waiver support coordinators, providers, and APD staff. While federal approval is still required before the program can officially begin, APD anticipates beginning to implement iBudget Florida near the end of the year. APD will continue to work with everyone in planning and implementing the iBudget Florida system. The latest iBudget information can be found on the APD Web site apdcares.org.
Autism Walk Sees Brighter Day
By Jeff Saulich
The Florida sun was bright on April 15 as dozens of enthusiastic walkers made their way to the Capitol in the Second Annual Tallahassee Walk for Autism. It was an inspiring day for people with autism, parents, and self-advocates, as well as APD representatives and elected officials. Proceeds raised by sponsoring the walkers benefited the Florida Chapter of the Autism Society of America and the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at Florida State University.
Upon the walkers' arrival at the Capitol, a news conference was held in the Cabinet Meeting Room. Participants included Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, Chief Child Advocate Jim Kallinger, APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine, APD Chief of Staff Tamara Demko, Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon, and Ven Sequenzia, president of the Florida Chapter of the Autism Society. Demko was there in a dual role, as she is also the executive director of the Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders. All spoke of the importance of providing services to people who have autism spectrum disorders.
Dignitaries attending the event included Bryan Vaughan, executive director of the Governor's Task Force on Disabilities, and three members of the Florida House of Representatives: Rep. Bill Heller, D-St. Petersburg; Rep. Joseph Gibbons, D-Pembroke Park; and Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs. A short while later, Porth was back on the floor of the House, introducing House Bill 9053 which designated April 15 as Disability Awareness Day in Florida. He also recognized DeBeaugrine, Demko, and Sequenzia as they watched from the gallery.
The day concluded with a special showing of "Temple Grandin"—an HBO movie starring Claire Danes. It tells the true story of a woman with autism who has distinguished herself as a cattle industry expert, as well as autism advocate. It was an inspiring performance that focused on the issues in a very personal and powerful way. All of the day's events gave hope that there are brighter days ahead for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Sporting for 20 Years
The Florida Disabled Outdoors Association celebrated a big anniversary in April. FDOA held its 20th annual SportsAbility event in Tallahassee, focusing on activities and awareness to encourage people with disabilities to participate in recreational activities.
The four-day event began April 15 with a banquet. The keynote speaker traveled from Orsha, Belarus, to speak on the importance of people with disabilities being active. Alexi Talai lost three limbs and his left hand due to an old German landmine. The husband and father started a nonprofit association to focus on helping people with disabilities and orphans in Eastern Europe.
On Friday, April 16, dozens of disability organizations set up information tables at Tallahassee Community College. FDOA organized various sporting activities inside the TCC gymnasium, including a karate demonstration. Day three of SportsAbility was spent at Ochlockonee River State Park water skiing, canoeing, boating, fishing, and much more. The fourth day was dedicated to soccer and baseball on the new Miracle Field in Tallahassee.
FDOA's year-round activities encourage people to use their abilities to live an active lifestyle and enjoy the benefits of being close to nature. SportsAbility takes the organization's message to the disability community and the general public in a very exciting and enjoyable way. For more information about FDOA, visit www.fdoa.org or call (850) 201-2944.
Governor Announces Expansion of Discount Drug Card
Governor Charlie Crist announced on April 6 that the Florida Discount Drug Card is now available to all Florida residents. The Governor praised the expansion of the successful market-based initiative to increase access to affordable health care coverage.
"Florida remains committed to increasing access to affordable health care and finding innovative solutions to achieve this goal," said Governor Crist. "The Florida Discount Drug Card has been proven to be a low-cost solution for families and seniors in need of affordable prescription drugs, and now we are rightly extending the savings to all Florida residents. I urge Floridians to sign up to begin receiving discounts on their prescription drugs."
All Florida residents now qualify: no age limit, no income requirements. There are no waiting periods to receive the card, no pre-existing condition restrictions, no membership fees, and the card instantly activates. Previously, to sign up for the program, participants had to be age 60 to 64 and without prescription drug coverage; or individuals, families and seniors under age 60, without prescription-drug coverage; and have an annual income of less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level to qualify. These participants are still eligible and can now receive additional savings when purchasing their prescription drugs with the card. For participants under age 60, qualifying annual incomes for the additional savings are as follows:
- $32,490 for an individual
- $43,710 for a family of two
- $66,150 for a family of four
- Income limits for other family sizes are available on the Web site, www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com.
Floridians can request a Florida Discount Drug Card by visiting www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com or by calling 1-866-341-8894 or TTY 1-866-763-9630. Information on the Web site is available in English, Spanish, and a Creole version will be available soon. Multilingual drug card service representatives are available by calling the toll-free number.
APD and UF Start Law Externships
In partnership with the University of Florida's Law School, APD has developed an administrative law externship program in Gainesville. The objectives of this program are to give law students the opportunity to practice before the Division of Administrative Hearings, and to introduce them to a variety of legal issues concerning Medicaid waiver services that APD faces. These issues concern service denials, eligibility denials, and tier assignments in the agency's community-based services programs.
The law students will do all the case preparation under the supervision of APD Attorney Julie Waldman. The externship is expected to be a continuing offering of the law school. The long-term goal is that this will become the model for APD to establish an externship program statewide through other law schools and replace private contracted legal services.
Children Quiz Leaders in Tallahassee
By Jeff Saulich
There are many state agencies that provide services to Florida's children. But how often can the children pose questions directly to the leaders of those agencies? That's exactly what happened on April 13, when the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet hosted the "Kids Only" Town Hall Meeting as part of Children's Week at the Capitol.
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp chaired the 90-minute meeting in the Tallahassee City Hall. APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine was among the agency heads who participated as members of the Children and Youth Cabinet. They faced a panel of 12 students, chosen from a statewide pool of applicants. A spirited exchange of questions and ideas sprang forth before a capacity crowd.
Government officials, policy makers, and children's developmental and advocacy experts comprise the 20-member Florida Children and Youth Cabinet. Visit www.flgov.com/youth_cabinet for more information.
Around the State
Spring is in the Air
By Colleen Foley, Area 2Buoyed by warmer days and with Easter just around the corner, Area 2 employees in Panama City decided to share their "spring fever" with APD customers residing in nursing homes. On March 30, after a generous office collection, Charlene Thomas, Susan Coleman, Tasha Tubbs, and Barbara Bungay visited six Bay County nursing homes to deliver Easter lilies and cards to 12 APD customers.
Smiles and laughter followed the lilies into each nursing home. Charles "Buddy" Kent was so delighted that he didn't want to put his lily down, not even on his bedside table. The fragrance and beauty of the lily seemed to fascinate him, and even during Thomas' visit, his nose was drawn to the blooms. Norma Sassville enjoyed showing her lily to the nursing home staff, then placed the lily and card next to her television so that she could enjoy it while in bed. Jearlean Rushing indicated that the visit and plant just made her day.
The 12 individuals seemed to enjoy the visits as much as the APD employees. For consumers who have little or no regular family contact, such visits and small gifts mean so much. The day's experience was such fun, the employees returned to the office to begin plans for the next round of nursing home visits.
Ramping It Up
By Cindy Barrington, Pensacola Civitan Club
APD's Area 1 office in Pensacola has partnered with the local Civitan Club once again to build a ramp for a child on the APD waiting list. APD paid $295 for the ramp materials. Civitan members spent the morning of April 17 hammering and cutting wood to construct a 22-foot ramp for 14-year-old Samuel Waz.
Waz has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. He was all smiles when he came outside to try out the ramp for the first time in his motorized wheelchair. That was all the thank you we needed! Although he does not talk, Waz can type on a computer and his family hears what he has typed. The computer's voice can be one of several different selections – and the voice can speak several languages. Waz uses English most the time!
The Waz family gave the Civitan Club a $100 donation. The club's ramp volunteers included Gil Chase, Pete Devries, Cheryl Edwards, Fred and Ron Knodel, and yours truly.
Tacachale Bombers Have Their Day, Literally!
The members of the Tacachale Bombers basketball team of Gainesville were the toast of the town recently. Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan issued a proclamation declaring April 15 as Tacachale Bombers Day to honor a tournament victory. The Bombers, who are all residents of the Tacachale Center, won first place in the Southwest Sectional Basketball Tournament, held in February at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
On April 15, the Bombers were the guests of honor in Hanrahan's office, as she presented them with a signed copy of the proclamation. Congratulations to this talented team of APD customers!
Families Attend Area 2 Resource Fair
By Jane Tillman
On April 13, families and consumers in Tallahassee and the surrounding area who remain on the Medicaid waiver waiting list had an opportunity to learn about resources and services that help them address their needs. A Resource Fair was held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Tallahassee's Gretchen Everhart School, a Leon County school serving exceptional students. Everhart School and Principal Jane Bullen have been active partners with APD's Area 2 office in disseminating resource information to waiting list families.
Presenters included representatives from the Social Security Administration, Family Network on Disabilities, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Vocational Rehabilitation, Children's Medical Services, Volunteer Florida, Florida Disabled Outdoors Association, Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, and several Medicaid State Plan therapy and medical supply providers.
APD Area 2 Administrator Lynne Daw kicked off the evening with a welcome which was followed by each agency offering a brief summary of its services. Customers were then invited to visit the display tables and discuss specific issues or ask questions of the representatives. The room soon resembled a beehive as people moved from display to display.
An especially popular spot in the cafeteria was the pizza table. The Everhart School PTA provided pizza, salad, and beverages for the attendees – a wonderful treat for all who came out during the dinner hour. Everhart teachers also staffed a separate room for customers and siblings who needed a break. Music and games kept these folks entertained, allowing more time for parents to engage in discussions with agency representatives and network with others.
The evening was deemed quite a success with approximately 50 family members in attendance.
APD Customer Displays Artwork in St. Pete
APD's Suncoast Area office in St. Petersburg is displaying the amazing artwork of local artist and agency customer Mary Ann Hennosy. Seven paintings are currently on display, and more beautiful pieces can be found in her home studio.
Hennosy was born January 19, 1952, in Charleston, West Virginia. Despite serious motor skill limitations due to cerebral palsy, Hennosy is a highly motivated artist and has shared her talent with the public for over 20 years. Visit www.maryannhennosy.com for more information about the artist and her work.
House Launches Census Effort
With the 2010 Census underway, the Florida House of Representatives has launched www.myfloridacensus.gov to assist with Florida's efforts to obtain a complete count of every person in Florida.
MyFloridaCensus is a simple online tool that allows anyone in Florida to report whether or not they have been counted in the 2010 Census. With that information in hand, the Florida House of Representatives is able to work with other census partners to help analyze (and thereby minimize) which streets, neighborhoods and communities may go missed in the 2010 Census.
Many volunteers, stakeholders, and advocates are working hard to remind Floridians that by answering the census, they get to speak for themselves, on behalf of their whole community. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Bob West, director of the Office of Reapportionment, Florida House of Representatives, at (850) 922-9457 or bob.west@myfloridahouse.gov.
Morgan's Wonderland
By Kelleigh CorbinOn April 10, a new theme park opened its doors to the public in San Antonio, Texas. Gordon and Maggie Hartman built the theme park for individuals with special needs, like their daughter Morgan. It is constructed so everyone is able to enjoy the park equally. Morgan's Wonderland is the first theme park to cater fully to children and adults with disabilities. It is an ultra-accessible park, meaning all the facilities are ADA compliant with each destination spot being wheelchair accessible. On this 25-acre lot, there are 24 places for everyone to enjoy, from a one-of-a-kind carousel with custom made chariots to a sensory village with a small town look to stimulate everyone's senses with colors, textures, and sounds.
Admission is free for individuals with disabilities, $5 for people accompanying the individual with special needs, and $15 for general admission. Each guest is equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification wristband which monitors their location. Additionally, there is an eight-foot fence around the park, as well as video surveillance, emergency notification systems, and security at each entrance and exit.
The park has limited admission to prevent overcrowding and ensure guests will benefit from the park. Reservations are required before each visit. For more information go to the Web site, www.morganswonderland.com, or call toll free 1-877-495-5888.
A Company Man
By Melanie Mowry Etters
In Taylor County, Martin Electronics, Inc., is always on the lookout for dependable employees. The company has found one in Materials Handler Jay Bradshaw. Bradshaw has been with the company for more than 12 years. He is responsible for packing parts for shipment, then sending them out.
Production Supervisor Helen Blue says, "Jay is an excellent employee. He is always thinking about what needs to be done. He is observing and thinking ahead. He is not your average employee. Jay goes above and beyond what is needed. He is always coming up with ideas to save the company money."
- Helen Blue, Production Supervisor
During its four decades, Martin Electronics has made a huge commitment to employing individuals with disabilities, like Bradshaw. Martin Electronics is a munitions assembly plant. About four percent of Martin Electronics' 250 employees have a disability.
The company has a daily shipping goal of 1,100 parts. Bradshaw takes the goal as a personal challenge. "It is kind of fun to see if you can make the production goal," says Bradshaw. Martin Electronics President Rick Gardner says hiring people with disabilities is a great return on investment.
"Our company has been relying on the workforce of Taylor County for more than 40 years to support our operations in Perry," says Gardner. "Martin Electronics is proud of the work ethic and effort put forth by all our employees, including those with disabilities, and understands they are the most valuable resource we bring to the accomplishment of our mission." Bradshaw agrees, saying, "It is a good place to work and it pays pretty well, too."
Bradshaw appreciates the financial benefits of employment which have allowed him to buy a home for his expanding family. His wife is a co-worker at Martin Electronics; they have a 2-year-old son, and another child on the way which he says will complete their family.
Resource Directory 2.0
APD is upgrading its Resource Directory on the APD Web site, apdcares.org, and needs your help. The directory contains information about community, regional, state, and national resources for people with disabilities. APD wants to make the Resource Directory meet the public's needs even better, so we would like your input.
Please visit http://apdcares.org/planning-resources/#rdt to explore the Resource Directory in its current form. Then, take the short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/8JZB22V to help the agency make its improved directory a success.
Grant to Assist Persons with Disabilities
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan recently announced the availability of approximately $40 million to public housing authorities. The funding will support approximately 5,300 Housing Choice Vouchers for nonelderly persons with disabilities.
HHS will use its network of state Medicaid agencies and local human service organizations to link eligible individuals and their families to local housing agencies who will administer voucher distribution. In addition, this funding initiative will leverage the work already being done in the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) grant program. Visit http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp for more information.
Melanie Mowry Etters - Editor
Jeff Saulich - Photo Editor
Lloyd Harger - Web Development