The Agency for Person with Disabilities (APD) is preparing for the legislative session, which begins tomorrow, March 2. We will be meeting with legislators to support the funding of Governor Ron DeSantis’ budget recommendations that will help APD and its customers next fiscal year.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and our state partners want to educate our employees, customers, providers and staff, Waiver Support Coordinators, stakeholders, and the public about the importance of being vaccinated against COVID-19.

On February 4, several Agency for Persons with Disabilities employees from the Southern Region were given the opportunity to receive their vaccinations as part of the Long-Term Care Vaccination program at a MacTown Group Home in Miami.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has been working hard to implement the various aspects of a new law that impacts several areas of agency operation. It is important for agency customers and families to understand the various requirements of the new statute.

Funds continue to be collected for a self-advocate scholarship grant named to honor former APD Deputy Director of Programs Denise Arnold who passed away on June 30, 2018. The grant will be awarded in September 2021 through a partnership the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, and APD.

Rebecca Potvin has the honor of being the longest serving employee of Florida Linen Services of Jensen Beach. Potvin has been on the job for 28 years as a Laundry Assistant. Her specialty is folding baby blankets and baby gowns. She has her own workstation.

National Core Indicators (NCI) is a collaborative effort between the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) and the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI). The purpose is to support NASDDDS member agencies, such as the state of Florida, to gather a set of performance and outcome measures to track performance over time, as well as to compare results across states, and to establish national benchmarks.

Crisis Intervention Training has resumed with implementation of CDC guidelines. This month, training was conducted at the Florida Sheriffs Association facility in Tallahassee for local law enforcement agencies of Tallahassee Police Department, Leon County Sheriff Office, Jefferson County Sheriff Office, and Franklin County Sherriff Office.

Not even COVID-19 could stop 48 enthusiastic Tacachale residents from getting all spruced up and celebrating the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine. This annual event for individuals with disabilities is held around the world – this year, with a local “Shine-Thru,” an innovative way to celebrate while maintaining distance.