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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2014

CONTACT:Melanie Mowry Etters
Communications Director
(850) 414-7551

APD Seeks Admission Moratorium on Provider

Agency Insists upon Improvements at Facility

Tallahassee -The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has filed an administrative complaint seeking a moratorium that prohibits any new residents from being served at Carlton Palms Educational Center in Lake County. Carlton Palms is a large facility which serves more than 200 individuals with developmental disabilities with intense behavioral needs. The facility is currently operating under an APD imposed corrective plan that requires the facility to improve medical procedures and record keeping. An inspection this week found that Carlton Palms has not complied with the corrective plan to improve its medical record keeping.

Since the initial corrective plan, Carlton Palms has been under heavy scrutiny by APD. The agency has required cameras and enhancements to recordings to capture what is occurring at this large facility. APD has dedicated staff that make unannounced visits, including during the middle of the night and on weekends. Videos are reviewed from each residence, and visits are made to the many buildings on the campus.

APD Director Barbara Palmer said, "We have taken this action because the health and safety of the residents is our top priority. We are very serious about the need for improved oversight and care at Carlton Palms. Not only will this moratorium motivate this facility to enhance its care for the individuals currently residing there, but if we do not see improvements we will begin the process of identifying other potential providers.”

This administrative complaint filed today seeks to impose the maximum fine by law of $10,000, and seeks immediate improvement in medical procedures and record keeping. Carlton Palms would not be able to accept any residents funded by the Medicaid waiver until the moratorium is lifted.

Carlton Palms is the only Comprehensive Transition Education Program (CTEP) in the state providing all the required services an individual with intense behaviors may need.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities.  The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org or call toll-free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).