Sarasota Town Hall FAQ

1. Highlight in another color those things that are free in the APD Resource Directory
2. Transportation can be solved by customers using other forms of transportation with other technical assistance like wristbands with information for individuals that can travel.
1. APD clients are encouraged to take advantage of other transportation options.  The DD waiver is a payer of last resort.   However, for those individuals who have no transportation options, the DD waiver continues to be a valuable resource to enable them to access their community.  Wristbands and other technical devices are increasingly being used to assist the transportation disadvantaged with accessing the transportation system safely and efficiently. For more information about how technology is improving public transportation, you may access Intelligent Transportation Systems (U. S. Dept. of Transportation) at http://www.its.dot.gov/.
3. For those with multiple diagnosis, Vocational Rehabilitation may assign a contractor that changes every month. This is not beneficial to the individual.
1. VR feels same way, don’t.
4. We need to not have individuals retake TABE if they want to go to Vocational Education.
5. We need to start looking at  fetal alcohol syndrome individuals.
1. APD understands that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a serious condition resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy.  In some cases, individuals with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome experience problems, including, but not limited to intellectual disabilities.   The Agency is allowed to serve individuals with developmental disabilities identified in Florida Statutes, Chapter 393.  This includes:  intellectual disabilities, autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and prader willie syndrome.  If an individual with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has complications that result in a developmental disability, the Agency may be able to provide services and supports to meet their needs. Additional information and resources for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be found at http://www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/.
6. Who dictates rates?
1. Effective July 1, 2003, all rates are determined by the operating Agency which is the Agency for persons with Disabilities (APD). Rates are based on the availability of appropriated funding from the Florida Legislature. The provider rate table is available on APD’s website: intranet.apd.myflorida.com.
2. What can you do at your ADT that can expand services?
1. Individuals can request a meeting with their support coordinator and ADT and review their service needs, discuss their outcomes and determine appropriate goals.
7. What are we doing about transportation?
1. APD continues to provide transportation to DD clients who qualify through the waiver and to some individuals on the waitlist.  We realize that access to affordable and reliable transportation continues to be a challenge to not only APD clients, but for many others in Florida.  APD is encouraging the purchasing of bus passes with waiver funding for those individuals who can ride the coordinated transportation system to their waiver services; individuals are encouraged to access other community resources for their transportation needs and group homes and ADT providers are encouraged to provide more affordable transportation for their residents.
2. For more information about local transportation options, we encourage you to contact your local city or county commission and the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (http://www.dot.state.fl.us/ctd/index.htm).