Message from the Director
By Barbara Palmer
Florida Governor Rick Scott is recommending funding to serve all the individuals with critical needs on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) waiver waiting list. Governor Scott’s proposed 2014-2015 It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget includes $1.14 billion for APD with $20 million to serve the waiting list. The money will be used to enroll about 1,400 individuals into the APD Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid waiver so they can pay for services in their local communities. This is the second year the Governor has recommended funding to serve the waiting list. The Governor’s budget proposal is receiving unanimous praise from disability stakeholders.
I am thrilled with Governor Scott’s decision to fund the waiver waiting list for a second year. With this money we will be able to serve everyone with critical needs on the Medicaid waiver waiting list which is a priority for our Governor. Families, waiver support coordinators, providers, and our employees have worked very hard to be effective and efficient with the dollars provided to the agency and will continue to do so in the future. I appreciate Governor Scott’s ongoing support and confidence in APD.
Governor Scott’s budget proposal includes $1 million to assist people on the waiver waiting list who have indicated that they want to go to work. This second year of funding will pay for Supported Employment and supported internship services for about 400 people with developmental disabilities.
Family Care Council Florida Chairperson Jean Sherman said, “Again this year, we are heartened by the fact that Governor Scott is actively responding to the needs of families and individuals who are on the waiting list for services through the waiver. His legislative request for an additional $20 million will mean so much to these families and will also allow more individuals with disabilities to prepare to enter the world of work. We are confident that the highly cost-effective results achieved by APD this past year in transitioning more than the expected number of individuals to the waiver will convince the Legislature of the wisdom of this new appropriation. Families are also hopeful that continuing this positive financial response will lead to the elimination of the waiting list in the very near future.”
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Executive Director Debra Dowds said, “We are very appreciative of Governor Rick Scott for his continued support to address the needs of Floridians with developmental disabilities. Through this additional funding many more people with developmental disabilities on the waiting list will be offered waiver enrollment and receive the services they need to be employed, independent, and to meaningfully participate in their communities.”
Betty Kay Clements, parent and past chairperson of the Family Care Council Florida, said, “I am so very happy that Governor Scott is again recommending money to serve people on the APD Medicaid waiver waiting list in his budget recommendations. The $20 million will assist in bringing everyone with critical needs off the list in the coming year. Governor Scott certainly provided real leadership and action for our individuals this past year and it meant so very much to families I have spoken with. I want to thank Governor Scott for continuing to support individuals and their families who can accomplish so much with needed services and supports provided by the Home and Community-Based Services waiver."
The Association of Support Coordination Agencies of Florida chairperson Janice Phillips said, “We are again extremely fortunate to have a leader like Governor Scott who has embraced the issues of individuals in Florida with developmental disabilities. These individuals are in critical need of services and have been on a waiting list. The funding that is being recommended by Governor Scott will provide much needed services to these citizens. It is also very commendable that funding for Supported Employment is again being recommended to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities who are trying to enter the workforce and become productive citizens of our state.”
“The Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and its member agencies are delighted to see that Governor Scott has again responded to the needs of families and individuals who are on the waiting list for services. Also, we are pleased that the Governor is seeking funding for Supported Employment services so that individuals with developmental disabilities can realize their employment goals. Finally, we want to thank Governor Scott for participating in so many APD Town Hall meetings over the last year and for taking the time to learn about the needs of the individuals served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Governor Scott has shown that he is a true advocate for Floridians with disabilities. His proposed budget demonstrates this commitment,” said Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities Executive Director Suzanne Sewell.
Area 2 Family Care Council Chairperson Lou Ogburn said, “The Tallahassee Area 2 Family Care Council is pleased with Governor Scott’s budget proposal which includes needed money for Supported Employment and the waiting list. I am also happy to see continued funding for those already receiving services.”
Governor Scott is recommending $1.8 million for a new APD data system that will provide service-specific information from providers regarding service delivery dates and progress, as well as better verification that services were delivered at the times and locations that were authorized by the agency. Additionally, this data system will include an electronic client central record that will provide the agency with information that can be used to more effectively serve individuals with developmental disabilities by providing electronic information that will track provider services and progress of the client.
APD Director Palmer said, “It is evident from Governor Scott’s recommendations that he listened during the APD Town Hall meetings last fall and is keeping his promise to help Florida’s most vulnerable citizens with disabilities.”
To view the complete list of Governor Scott’s budget recommendations, visit www.FLItsYourMoney.com.
The Governor’s Corner by Governor Rick Scott
Thanks to our pro-growth policies, focus on job creation, and the work of Florida’s public servants, our state has made a great economic turnaround over the last three years. Recently, we unveiled our 2014-2015 “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget.” This budget will continue to build on policies that keep Florida working and focus on giving money back to Florida families.
The “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget” includes measures to give $500 million back to the hardworking taxpayers of Florida. This budget also rewards our hard working state employees by providing $167 million for performance bonuses.
In the four years before I took office, Florida lost more than 800,000 jobs, the unemployment rate rose to 11.1 percent, and state debt ballooned by $5.2 billion. Today, Florida’s unemployment rate is below the national average at 6.2 percent and we have created more than 462,000 private sector jobs since December 2010.
Florida’s economy is still growing. With the continued support of our public servants and with the “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget,” we will keep working to make Florida the number one destination for opportunity in the world.
APD Hosts Military Town Hall Meeting
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is hosting a Town Hall meeting specifically for Florida’s military families. The meeting will take place on February 4, from 2-4 p.m. Central Time, at Eglin Air Force Base at 53d Wing, 203 West D Ave., Suite 601, Building 351, Room 601. This meeting is only open to individuals who are active or retired military and have military credentials to enter the base.
The meeting is intended to address the specific needs of families who are relocated to Florida, as well as the three main priorities of APD Director Barbara Palmer. “The input we received from the 16 Town Hall meetings last year has been invaluable. I am eager to hear from our military families. It is my goal to learn what their needs are and how APD can best meet them,” said Director Palmer.
Fanning Springs Community Event
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) are partnering up to host a community event for people in Dixie, Levy, Gilchrist counties. The event will be held on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fanning Springs State Park. Other event partners include the Department of Environmental Protection, the three county commissions, local businesses, several nonprofit partners, local providers, and other state agencies.
The event will include educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families, informational resources from local service providers, and a SportsAbility Sampler which hosts recreational demonstrations that showcase the opportunities available for people with disabilities.
Employment First Coalition
More than a dozen state and nonprofit agencies are coming together to develop a cooperative agreement to ensure the state of Florida supports Executive Order 13-84 which promotes improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Shelia Gritz-Swift with the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council chaired the meeting on January 17 at the Betty Easley Conference Center in Tallahassee. Steve Dunaway, Nancy Boutot, LeeAnn Herman, Celeste Sanders, Colton Madill, and Melanie Mowry Etters attended from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The group approved a draft cooperative agreement and plans to convene a Communications Committee in the coming months. The next meetings for the entire group are scheduled for March 21 and May 22 in Tallahassee.
Housing Workshop
The APD Strategic Planning unit led a public workshop concerning housing choices for individuals with developmental disabilities. About 80 individuals attended the meeting including APD employees, local providers, and other state agencies. During the meeting, participants broke into small workgroups to discuss the individuals who have unique issues including those with dual diagnoses and intensive behaviors, Alzheimer’s disease, the forensic population, and those who are medically fragile.
Each workgroup will focus on one of these areas and is charged with creating recommendations for better housing solutions. The workgroups are expected to hold their next meetings before February 28. The group leaders will meet with APD’s Strategic Planning unit by February 7. The ultimate goal is for each group to generate a business plan with their recommendations by September 1 to be reviewed by APD Director Barbara Palmer.
APD Strategic Planning Director Lisa Robertson said, “I feel the meeting was very successful. We learned a lot of new things from the other agencies and providers that attended, and we received a lot of positive feedback.”
Licensing Rule Hearing
On January 27, Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) staff members Tom Rice and David De La Paz led a public hearing at the APD State Office in Tallahassee for a proposed revision to Chapter 65G-2, which concerns licensing of group homes. The hearing was well attended by both APD employees and stakeholders. APD received feedback from several stakeholders during the hearing, and are currently in the process of reviewing written comments. The agency will consider all the suggestions when preparing the final rule.
Around the State
Life After High School
The Northwest Regional office of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) participated in the Life After High School conference sponsored by the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)/Westgate and the University of West Florida (UWF) Student Disability Resource Center. The conference was held at the UWF conference center in Pensacola on January 17. Katrina Washington, Supported Employment Liaison, presented information to parents and professionals on the eligibility criteria for APD services. Washington also encouraged attendees to support students gaining employment skills and experience while still in school.
The conference consisted of 12 information sessions and a keynote presentation from Marguerite Fernandes. She spoke about navigating through the school system with her son Andrew, who has a learning disability, and now he has been successfully employed with the Gulf Islands National Seashore for the last 20 years.
Disability Awareness Walk and Roll
The Disability Awareness Walk and Roll 5K Race and Family Fun Run will take place on March 8 at West Hernando Middle School located at 14325 Ken Austin Parkway in Brooksville. The 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the one mile family fun run at 8:45 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 Rebecca Dickinson at Dickinson_r@hcsb.k12.fl.us or visit http://walkandroll5kandfamilyfunrun.eventbright.com.
APD Northwest Region Job Club Meeting
The APD Northwest Region Job Club held its first meeting on January 23, at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola. Individuals on the APD waiting list were invited to attend and bring their resumes. Supported Employment providers were also invited to attend. Supported Employment Liaison Katrina Washington facilitated the meeting.
Director of Human Resources for the Blue Wahoos baseball team, Dick Baker spoke about the qualities he looks for in good candidates. Baker said it is important for employees to have good customer skills and also to be comfortable in the heat and the rain. Tara Crawford, owner of Trio Employment Network, shared strategies for gaining the competitive edge when pursuing employment opportunities.
After the presentation, participants seeking employment were given the opportunity to interview and select a Supported Employment provider. Providers were encouraged to begin job development immediately and Washington offered her assistance.
Sunland Center Participates in the Marianna Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade
Sunland Superintendent Merlin Roulhac and Assistant Superintendent Darlene See, along with the Sunland Swingers square dance team participated in the 2014 Marianna Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade. The group greeted the crowd with enthusiasm as they rode along the parade route on a beautifully decorated float, made by staff from Sunland’s centralized support services department. Sunland was honored to again be a part of this annual community event.
Pretty in Pink Etiquette Luncheon
The Fish House in Pensacola sponsored a luncheon for the Pretty in Pink ladies in the community on January 11. Young ladies on the APD waiting list who are interested in employment were invited to attend. Training was provided on dining and social etiquette. It was an opportunity to develop new social skills and explore employment interests. Northwest Region Employment Liaison Katrina Washington was able to observe the ladies during the luncheon to better assess their employment skills and needs.
Touchdown to Transition
By Sharon Stephens
On January 16, middle and high school students from Leon, Wakulla, and Gadsden counties gathered at the Howell Center in Tallahassee to participate in Touchdown to Transition. This event is geared for students who are preparing to transition from school to work. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Northwest Region participated in the event by sharing information about the agency and about the services that are offered. Other agencies and organizations including Vocational Rehabilitation, FAAST, Ability 1st, and Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla county schools were also there to share information and speak about their programs. Event participants were treated to special presentations from several students, door prizes, and a dazzling display from cheerleaders from the Wakulla County schools.
Making a Career Ascent
By Michael Cardello
On September 19, Duane Chin Loy was one of three individuals recognized for starting successful careers by Governor Rick Scott at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Town Hall meeting in Miami.
The partners at the Trujillo and Vargas Law Office in Miami where he works have cited him as a valuable addition to their office and say he has a bright future there. He has already been promoted in less than six months.
“When we gave him a promotion he was nervous but we knew that he would do great,” said Andrew Vargas. “He rose to the occasion and exceeded his own expectations of what he could accomplish. He’s a productive member of the team. It’s a pleasure having him around.”
Of his job, Chin Loy said, “I am so happy with this job that I feel like it is a dream come true. I am treated with respect and dignity, and I see myself growing and progressing there.”
This year, Chin Loy will serve as a Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) mentor for another APD customer at the law office.
Prior to working at the law firm, Chin Loy had successfully participated in Baptist Health South Florida’s internship program, assisting in the Supply Chain Management Department. His supervisor and mentor there praised Chin Loy’s performance as exemplary.
Chin Loy has also been certified through Miami Dade College as a Medical Coder and Biller, as well as receiving Global University certification through Barean Bible College Pastoral Training. He is bilingual and is conversant with Power Church, a computer program that serves as an accounting tool for religious organizations.
Chin Loy also has a history of service to others. He has volunteered as a Visions Church youth counselor, a counselor to seniors through the SHINE program with the Department of Elder Affairs, and as a greeter at Gold Coast Railroad Museum.
Chin Loy is usually engaged in productive activities, but when he has the time to enjoy some time off, dominoes is his preference. He said, “Give me some dominoes, a table, and four chairs, and I am happy.”
Twenty Years of Success
By Lindsey Boyington
Jonathon Flachner is the type of employee that any manager would be glad to have; loyal, dedicated, and hard working. He recently celebrated 20 years of employment with the Publix on SW 107th Avenue in Miami. Publix presented him with a service award certificate, dinner, a special gift, and a complimentary stay at the Doral Country Club Resort.
Flachner said, “I started as a front end bagger and over the years learned many new tasks. Now I understand how a grocery store works.” Flachner, who has a developmental disability and receives Supported Employment services from Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), currently works as a Front Service Clerk. His typical duties include greeting shoppers, helping customers with their groceries, restocking shelves, and assisting customer to find specific grocery items.
Publix Manager Joe Sybinsky said, “Jonathan is a great asset to the Publix team. The other associates enjoy working with him, and the customers appreciate his friendly and enthusiastic personality. He is a hard worker and a happy person who exemplifies Publix’s dedication to customer service.”
Flachner prides himself on never being late for work. He has great advice for other individuals who want to work. “Believe in yourself. You can do a great job at whatever tasks you are given. Be punctual and value your role as an employee. Be enthusiastic about the job you are doing,” said Flachner.
Governor’s Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Deputy Director of Operations Tom Rankin has been appointed by Governor Rick Scott to be a member of the Governor’s Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities. Rankin will represent APD and the people the agency serves at the quarterly meetings.
Governor Scott also announced the appointment of Sarah Goldman. Goldman, 23, of Orlando, is a former peer mentor with the University of Central Florida Student Disabilities Services. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning January 23, and ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
The commission was created to look for ways to improve employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The next meeting of the Governor’s Commission on Jobs will be held February 7 in Miami.
CDC+ Peer Support Groups
CDC+ Peer Support Group meetings are intended to provide information, training, and assistance in small group settings to consumers, representatives, and consultants. The meetings are typically held in the APD regional or field offices every other month, more often if needed, and last about two hours. In 2014, the focus of the meetings will be welcoming new families, sharing successes, and setting new goals. All new CDC+ families are encouraged to attend. Below are proposed dates for the upcoming meetings:
(Dates are subject to change. Notifications will be made via email. Please make sure your consultant has your correct email address.)
Key West:
- February 7, noon-2 p.m., at 1608 Venetian Drive in Key West
- February 7, 6-8 p.m., at the Key Largo Library located at 101485 Overseas Hwy. in the Tradewinds Shopping Center
- Contact Dorothy Clever at reellady@comcast.net
APD Miami Office
- February 25, April 29, June 24, August 26, October 28, December 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at 401 NW 2nd Ave. Suite 811
- Contact Yolanda Herrera at yolyherrera@bellsouth.net
APD Ft. Lauderdale Office
- March 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at 201 W. Broward Blvd., Room 104A
- Contact Gilda Pacheco at Gildapacheco@comcast.net
APD Fort Pierce Office
- March 26, May 21, July 16, September 17, November 19, 1-3 p.m., at 337 N US Highway 1 Room 335
- Contact Stephanie Preshong-Brown at Preshongbrown@aol.com
Melbourne
- March 10, May 12, July 14, September 15, November 10, 6:30-7 p.m., at the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, 3790 Dairy Road
- Contact Theresa Brown at brown5232@yahoo.com
APD Orlando Office
- Dates to be announced
- Contact Tricia Madden at triciapurple@gmail.com
Largo
- Febraury 10, April 14, June 9, August 11, October 13, December 8, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Disability Achievement Center located at 12552 Belcher Rd South
- Contact Judy Cole at simamike1@aol.com
APD Tampa Office
- March 6, May 8, June 12, August 7, October 9, November 6, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., at 1313 N. Tampa St., Suite 516
- Contact Joanne Rydzewski at jdnrydzewski@aol.com
APD Daytona Beach Office
- Dates to be announced
- Contact Dirk Barch at worldwideassociatesinc@yahoo.com
APD Gainesville Office
- February 12, April 9, June 11, August 13, October 8, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at 1621 NE Waldo Rd. Building 1
- Contact Kalisha Eagle at Kalisheagle@yahoo.com
APD Tallahassee Office
- Dates to be announced
- Contact Lisa Sealy at lisasmail2@yahoo.com
APD Jacksonville Office
- Dates to be announced
- Contact Ken Harrivel at Ken_Harrivel@valpak.com
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