Message from the Director
Legislature Supports APD
By Mike Hansen
As we move into the midpoint of the Legislative Session, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) finds itself in a good position related to the Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid waiver. Governor Rick Scott has recommended an increase of more than $22 million to the waiver program.
In addition, the House of Representatives has recommended in its budget proposal a $65 million increase in the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver to address funding shortfalls for APD. The agency's total funds in the House plan, which includes recurring and nonrecurring dollars, is just over $1 billion. There are some reductions in agency administration, which all state government is experiencing.
These proposals show that leaders at the Capitol have confidence in the agency and the people who are working to meet the needs of Floridians with developmental disabilities. I am very encouraged with the support APD is receiving.
I made a presentation to the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations on January 24 on how to improve access to services and iBudget Florida. The information was well received.
On January 25, the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee unanimously approved SB 1516 Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The next committee stop is the Senate Health Regulation Committee. We are working with stakeholders to address any issues related to the bill, and look forward to its successful passage before the end of session.
When we come together for a common goal, positive things happen. Let us continue working as a team throughout 2012.
Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.
Lt. Governor Addresses Commission on Jobs
The Governor's Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities held its inaugural meeting on January 6 at the Capitol. Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll addressed the commission members at the meeting in Tallahassee. Executive director of the commission David Darm was appointed by Governor Rick Scott in early January. Able Trust CEO Sue Homant was selected as the chair of the commission.

Several representatives from agencies that provide services to people with disabilities made presentations to the commission so the members may learn about the current state programs designed to help people with disabilities enter the workforce.
Darm, 25, of Tallahassee, has been an analyst in the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget since 2010. He has served on the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged since 2009, and Governor Scott appointed him as chair in 2011. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida and a master's degree from Florida State University.

Governor Scott signed Executive Order 11-161 to create the Governor's Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities to advance job and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in order to help those individuals achieve greater independence. The commission will suggest public policy solutions and strategies to the governor and state policymakers to fulfill this vision.
The meeting agenda and additional information about the commission can be found at www.flgov.com/gcjfd/.
APD to Implement iBudget Formula
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is announcing that it will implement the final component of the iBudget Florida program for its customers in Northwest Florida and the Big Bend area by April 1.
iBudget Florida is a new way to deliver Medicaid waiver services that has been approved by both the Florida Legislature and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It provides Floridians with developmental disabilities in the Medicaid waiver program more flexibility in choosing their services.
The April 1 transition will include APD customers living in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Jackson, Washington, Holmes, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Jefferson counties, which comprise APD's areas 1 and 2.
APD customers in areas 1 and 2 have been using the iBudget Florida program since October 2011. Customers in other areas of the state will be enrolled into the program later this year. An enrollment schedule will be announced soon.
iBudget Florida is designed to make the funding process fair and equitable for all Medicaid waiver customers. Waiver support coordinators will assist customers and their families in managing service approvals and other aspects of the program using an online Web-based system.
APD Correspondence Manager Honored by Governor
By Jeff Saulich
APD's correspondence manager always has a lot on her plate. Meghan Murray, in the Communications Office, routes and responds to inquiries that the agency receives via phone, mail, email, and from one other primary source—the Governor's Office. When the Governor's Office of Citizens Services receives queries concerning developmental disabilities, it forwards them to Murray. The office has been impressed with her thorough, courteous, and rapid responsiveness, so it recommended that her service be recognized.
That's why Murray received a letter last month signed by Governor Rick Scott! The letter congratulates Murray for being named one of APD's Employees of the Quarter and thanks her for her dedicated service to the state of Florida.
"My administration works daily to resolve the many issues that Floridians face and it is encouraging to hear about the positive efforts of individuals, like you, who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide assistance to our staff and help those we serve," the governor wrote. "Your eagerness to cooperatively assist both constituents and your professional peers is a true asset to your agency and our great state."
The APD Website Survey Wants YOU!
By Lloyd HargerAPD is in the process of redesigning the agency website and we want to hear from you. This is your chance to tell us what you want. To make this as easy as possible, we've created a brief survey. It asks everything from what you like about the current site to what you would like to see on the new site. The sooner we get your feedback, the sooner we can make the site better.
Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/apdweb to take the survey, and apdcares.org if you need to review the current site. The survey will be available until February 15, and it should only take about five minutes to complete. So don't delay—do it right away. On behalf of the APD Web Team, thank you!
Around the State
Area 10 Walks About with Dan Marino
By Martha Martinez
Employees of APD's Area 10 office in Fort Lauderdale enjoyed a beautiful Saturday by participating in a very worthy cause. They joined thousands of participants in the Dan Marino Foundation's "WalkAbout Autism" at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. The January 28 event raised more than $700,000 for the Autism Societies of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, UM-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), and the foundation. All proceeds raised by the event will support autism services and awareness efforts in South Florida. Schools that participated will receive 25 percent of the money raised by their teams for use in special needs programs.

More than 17,000 walkers participated, almost doubling the turnout at last year's event. Celebrity walkers included football legend Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland, Miami Dolphins alumni players, and elected officials of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Marino's 23-year-old son has autism. Signature sponsors of the event were the Miami Dolphins, Sun Life Stadium, Centerplate, Walgreens, Publix Super Markets, Badia Spices, Samsung, HH Gregg, Greenspoon Marder, MMD Realty, Panera Bread, and Pepsi Co.
Area 12 Consumers Enjoy Bright Holiday Season
By Kim Meyer
Residents of Volusia and Flagler counties opened their hearts and offered a helping hand during the 2011 Holiday season. As a result, customers in APD's Area 12 were recipients of selfless acts of giving.

One consumer residing in Flagler County was in need of a remodeling job to make their home wheelchair accessible. Members of the Flagler Home Builders Association donated services to get the job done. Charles Rinek Construction provided contractor services. Jim Gonce of Builders First Source provided doors, materials, and a ramp. Thanks go out to them for a wonderful display of the giving spirit.

Gail Calleja and friends generously donated Christmas gifts for individuals on the Medicaid waiver and the waiting list. Without their generosity, a happy Holiday season would not have been possible for so many. More than 100 wishes were granted!
Last but not least, Volusia County Department of Transportation donated 30 laptop computers to individuals on the waiting list. The employees of the Area 12 Office in Daytona Beach are grateful to everyone that helped the Holidays to be so bright for the people we serve!
Mr. Reliable
By Melanie Mowry EttersOne of the people responsible for the clean sheets and towels at the Casa Mora Rehabilitation and Extended Care facility is Robert Hoff. For seven years, Hoff has been working at the Bradenton center doing a variety of jobs. His latest assignment is the laundry, where he is busy moving clothing from in and out of washers and dryers on a continuing basis.

Hoff has a record as a reliable employee for Casa Mora never coming in late. He is independent and uses the local bus system to get to work.
Hoff has developmental disabilities and is a customer of APD. Supervisor Jorge Londono says, "Robert is a good worker. He is good at following instructions. He works best when paired with someone on a task."
Hoff enjoys his work. "It's fun to be around other people. Sometimes we can talk. It is also fun to do different things—switching around jobs to keep it interesting."
Hoff says the camaraderie he enjoys at work makes him feel like part of the organization's team.
Mentoring Hits New High
Florida's mentoring efforts for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) and Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) set records last year. The number of employers participating as mentors nearly doubled—from 1,000 in 2010 to 1,800 in 2011. Add that to the 4,200 individuals who were mentored, and you have 6,000 participants across the state in every region!
Florida DEAM/DMD liaisons are to be commended for their extra employer recruitment and outreach efforts. In addition to the increased statistics, there are reports that, for several individuals, good DMD experiences were followed by employment successes!
Champion Staff
Melanie Mowry Etters - Editor
Jeff Saulich - Writer and Photo Editor
Lloyd Harger - Web Development