Message from the Director
Town Hall Happenings
By Barbara Palmer
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Family Care Councils have hosted eight Town Hall meetings mostly in North Florida. Next month we are moving south for more meetings.
Great ideas to improve APD are coming out of these Town Hall meetings. I am enjoying the great dialogue with our customers and providers. I have been genuinely touched by the moving stories and the grateful appreciation shown to our agency by so many customers and families.
We are continuing to recruit people to join agency workgroups. If you would like to serve, send your name, phone number, region, and email address to APD.info@apdcares.org.
We are looking for volunteers to serve on the following groups:
- Caregivers Aging Out
- Health and Wellness
- Employment
- Behavioral Services
- Thriving Providers/Businesses
- Mini-Waiver
- Operational Efficiencies
Our August Town Hall meetings have been scheduled. Please make plans to attend the closest town hall meeting to your home.
- FORT MYERS
August 7, 10 a.m.-noon
First Presbyterian Church
2438 2nd Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
- SARASOTA
August 8, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Fruitville Public Library
100 Coburn Road
Sarasota, FL 34240
- LAKELAND
August 21, 1-3 p.m.
W.H. Stuart Conference Center
1710 US 17
Bartow, FL 33830
- ORLANDO
August 22, 2-4 p.m.
Orange County Barnett Park Recreation Center
4801 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32808
I encourage people to get involved with APD because we do want to hear from people from all over the state on improving our agency. I hope to see you there!
Governor Scott Co-Hosts Town Hall Meeting
Governor Rick Scott teamed up with Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Barbara Palmer for the APD Town Hall Meeting held at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City on July 17 with the purpose of starting true transparent communication. Governor Scott congratulated APD for getting the budget under control and expressed his continued support for providing additional funding for individuals on the waiting list as long as the state budget is at a surplus. He showcased APD customers Margaret Guta and John Cutright for their successful employment. State Representatives Matt Gaetz and Jimmy Patronis shared that when employers hire someone with a disability, they discover a great employee who works hard and inspires other employees in the workplace. As Representative Gaetz stated, “If we can get individuals trained, there are employers who will hire them.”
Amanda Baker, a self-advocate, requested that APD support the “Employment First Initiative” and offered her assistance with mentoring students while they are in school and educating parents on the many opportunities available to their children as they face adulthood. The “Employment First Initiative” requires everyone to try employment prior to being offered any other day activities. Baker works 25 hours a week with an additional 15 hours each week spent being transported to her job. She suggested requiring every taxi cab company to provide at least one handicap accessible cab. APD is looking for individuals like Baker interested in being a part of solving problems. David Keith, a waiver support coordinator with Almega Resources, expressed his gratitude in finally being able to offer Medicaid waiver funding to an individual who had been on the APD waiting list for nine years. The family is so grateful for the financial assistance. Governor Scott and Representatives Gaetz and Patronis’s willingness to listen and provide continued support was greatly appreciated by all in attendance.
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Pensacola Town Hall Meeting
The Northwest Region Area One Family Care Council sponsored the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Town Hall meeting in Pensacola on July 18 at the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. Pastor Gordon Godfrey, Jr. welcomed APD to the church and offered ongoing meeting space. Director Palmer and Patty Houghland, chair of the Northwest Region Area One Family Care Council, joined forces to invite individuals to get involved by becoming a member of the Area One Family Care Council. Lynne Daw, regional operations manager for the Northwest Region, introduced Director Palmer as a very caring and compassionate individual with a passion and commitment to employees, stakeholders, and customers.
Director Palmer announced that 754 individuals on the APD waiting list were recently invited to receive Medicaid waiver funded services. Dave Murzin representing Senator Greg Evers, Michelle Tate representing Representative Douglas Broxson, Jennifer Bobo representing Representative Clay Ingram, and Ryan Gorham representing Representative Mike Hill were all in attendance and listening to concerns and issues. Keeping these individuals informed about the agency is important especially if APD pursues comprehensive legislation in the upcoming fiscal year.
Individuals were invited to join workgroups that address the different APD priorities, and to think outside the box when developing recommendations. There were some great suggestions made from attendees; Brad Hunt, a waiver support coordinator with the Exceptional Partners organization, suggested applying the iBudget funding formula to the individuals on the waiting list to estimate funding needs prior to pursuing new waivers. John Collins, a self-advocate and Family Care Council vice chair, expressed concern for struggling providers not being able to adequately pay more experienced employees to meet the various needs of individuals, along with focusing on person centered planning. Director Palmer eagerly listened and answered questions and concerns, and encouraged everyone to sign up for a workgroup so that solutions could be developed.
Nominate an Exceptional Employer Today!
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities is looking for businesses that are committed to employing individuals with disabilities. The agency is accepting nominations of outstanding businesses from across the state until August 23. To submit a nomination, visit APDcares.org to complete the form. APD and other disability agencies will recognize the winning employers on Wednesday, October 9. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The awards event will be held at the Tallahassee City Commission Chambers, located at 300 South Adams Street. Information displays will be on the Second Floor Mezzanine beginning at 8:30 a.m. The employer recognition will begin at 9:30 a.m. Some of the organizations participating are Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind Services, Able Trust, Veterans' Affairs, City of Tallahassee, and the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Link to Download Nomination Form
Rish Park Scholarships
By Lindsey Boyington
The Florida State University Police Department recently awarded four APD waiting list customers and their families with the opportunity to visit APD’s Billy Joe Rish Park. The FSU Police are actively involved in the community and with several organizations including Special Olympics Florida and Jimbo Fisher’s Kidz 1st Fund.
The families were provided a paid four day, three night stay at Rish Park, a disposable camera and a CD of the pictures taken, and a prepaid card for gas and other expenses. This experience means the world to some families, who would not have been able to take a vacation otherwise.
So far two families have visited Rish Park. Judging by the photos they had a blast swimming in the Olympic size accessible pool and spending time with their family.
FSU Police Chief David Perry said, “Seeing the families’ smiles and happiness is heartwarming. We will absolutely consider continuing this program in the future.”
Cardinal Rules
APD’s Game Changer program recently partnered with the Palm Beach Cardinals, the minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. On July 27, Michael Gray, along with his Mom, Rue, and other family members, were treated like royalty with a night out at Roger Dean Stadium. There, the family watched the home team Cardinals take on the Daytona Cubs. But, for Michael, it was more than just a game.
Armed with the knowledge that Michael loves dancing and music, upon arrival, the team presented him with a Stan Musial harmonica (for those that don’t know baseball, Stan “The Man” Musial is a legendary Cardinal, having played 22 seasons in St. Louis, culminating in his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969). After receiving the perfect gift, Michael was led down to the field and had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch caught by Palm Beach pitcher Ryan Sherriff. Additionally, Michael’s name was on the marquee for all to see!
After hanging around with the mascot, Robbie the Redbird, the family took in the game and enjoyed ice cream, compliments of the club, served up in souvenir baseball helmets!
Although the home team lost the game, it was a winning experience for everyone involved. “We had a wonderful time and are very thankful for the opportunity,” said Rue Gray. “This was Michael’s first ever baseball game but by the end, he was cheering on the team!”
Special Olympics Partners with Phonak
By Lindsey Boyington
The Special Olympics Florida Healthy Athletes and Healthy Community have partnered with Phonak, a hearing systems company, to improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Athletes throughout the state attended screenings at Area Games, State Games, and Healthy Community Sites. Twenty eight people from across Florida were identified as needing hearing aids during the screenings. Phonak donated the devices, and as of June 11, with the help of two clinical directors and several audiology students from NOVA Southeastern University, the first four individuals have been fitted with their hearing aids. The athletes were very excited about their new hearing aids and the newly enhanced auditory experiences that await them.
If you are interested in becoming an athlete, or learning more about Healthy Athletes, please contact Nancy Sawyer at Special Olympics Florida at nancysawyer@sofl.org.
Around the State
Looking for a Job?
Did you know that APD has a job board? You can visit http://apd.myflorida.jobs where employers and job seekers are matched. Employers can easily submit job listings online. Once they are logged into the system, job seekers can post their resume, and then search for jobs they are interested in based on different criteria such as location, employer type, or distance. They will be given a list of jobs fitting what they are looking for that they can immediately apply for. This is just another one of the great tools that is provided on APD’s new website that helps people with disabilities find employment.
Disability Awareness Walk and Roll
Come out on Saturday, October 12, for the Disability Awareness Walk and Roll 5K Race and Family Fun Run. This event will take place at West Hernando Middle School located at 14325 Ken Austin Parkway in Brooksville Florida. The 5K race begins at 8 a.m. followed by the one mile family fun run at 9 a.m. After the races, there will be activities designed to promote disability awareness for families, schools, and the community. All proceeds from the event will be used to sponsor children and their families to attend the Family Café Conference 2014 in Orlando.
For more information or to preregister for the event contact Janeen Defilippo Defilippo_j@hcsb.k12.fl.us or visit http://walkandroll5kandfamilyfunrun.eventbright.com.
Waiver Enrollment Update
On July 1, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) notified 754 individuals with the most critical needs that they were being offered enrollment into the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver. Currently, 55 percent of people have been enrolled into the Medicaid Waiver.
APD Director Barbara Palmer said, “This is fantastic news! I am very excited that over 50 percent of the individuals offered waiver spots have already accepted, and in such a short amount of time.”
An Amazing Bank Teller
by James Vidrine
Rachel Doeble is a determined young woman who pursues her personal and career goals, and achieves them. Her career in the banking industry began in 2004, and she has been working full-time since June 2011 at Regions Bank in North Naples.
Doeble receives services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) in Naples.
She is married to her husband, John, and with his three children from a previous marriage, plus her young daughter, they created a large family with four children. She truly has full days.
Things have not always been this bright for Doeble. She entered this world as a three month premature infant. At her birth, she tipped the scale at less than three pounds. She spent the first six weeks of her life in the hospital, gaining weight and increasing her strength, so she could go home.
Doeble’s parents, however, soon noticed problems with her development. In her 15th month, her pediatrician broke the difficult news to her parents. Her delayed development was due to cerebral palsy. This news, although a shock, did not deter them whatsoever. Her parents worked with her at home to master the developmental skills that other toddlers and preschool children seemed to achieve without effort.
When Doeble entered kindergarten, the work she and her parents had engaged in for years paid off handsomely. Rachel was able to walk independently, with some difficulty at times, but without the need for a wheelchair. She was described by others at school, as a very friendly and a likeable youngster, with excellent cognitive and vocabulary skills. Her teachers also noted she could be stubborn at times.
Perhaps it was her stubbornness that contributed to her ongoing ability to engage the world with a positive attitude and determination to succeed. Doeble recalls, “As a child I had difficulty maneuvering around in school. I had to learn how to ask for help when I needed it, but also how to decline offers for assistance that I did not need or want.”
Doeble’s positive and caring attitude and her determination to succeed have not gone unnoticed by her supervisors at Regions Bank. Her direct supervisor, Head Teller Kathy Wessling describes Rachel’s work as amazing and fabulous. She depends on Rachel as her right hand at work. Wessling said, “Rachel is a very inspiring person. For someone that has a disability, she does not hold back on what she needs to do or what she wants to do. She has no fear.” Bank Manager Todd Ruggeri adds, “Rachel has the best outlook on life. She never gets upset or discouraged.”
APD Human Services Counselor Jose Delvalle is Doeble’s Support Coordinator. Delvalle said, “When I first met Rachel, I saw a person who wants to achieve her goals. She is a capable and an independent person who can handle any situation with thoughtfulness.”
Doeble is a living a success story. Not only does she work full-time as a bank teller, but she is also a wife, mother, step-mother, and provides a loving home for her family. Doeble wants to encourage others that have a disability to be persistent and persevere through difficulties and roadblocks, to reach their dreams. Doeble said, “Don’t let negative thoughts get in your way. Play to your own strengths and this will assist you. Never be afraid to ask for help, especially at your workplace.”
Publix Presents Annual Donation for Helping People Succeed Programs
Helping People Succeed is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves more than 3,500 families in Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Indian River counties. Its programs and services help children and families, including its newly-expanded autism spectrum disorder after-school programs for middle school and elementary age students.
At a recent presentation in its Miami offices, Publix Super Market Charities presented Helping People Succeed President and CEO Suzy Hutcheson with a check for $15,000 to be used for the non-profit organization’s programs and services.
A long-time supporter of Helping People Succeed, Publix Super Markets employs adults with disabilities through Helping People Succeed’s employment options and supports its infant/toddler programs, healthy families, and the annual calendar project.
“Publix consistently demonstrates the depth of their caring about the communities they serve through their generous support, programs and the community service of their associates. Helping People Succeed is sincerely appreciative of their ongoing support.” said Hutcheson.
A University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Founded in 1963, the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) program has been working to help Americans with disabilities to be independent, productive, and active in their communities. There are currently 67 UCEDD’s across the nation. The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) is located at the University of South Florida in Tampa, and was established in 2005. This program is committed to providing a range of supports and services for persons with disabilities such as community supports, early childhood, transition, education, employment, health, and interdisciplinary training.
To learn more about FCIC visit their website www.flcic.org.
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