With the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) offering Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver enrollment to individuals on the waiver waiting list, advocates are applauding Governor Ron DeSantis’ commitment to serving people with disabilities in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Legislature allocated $95 million for APD to enroll approximately 1,900 people on the waiting list who are in categories 1 through 5.
“The state of Florida continues to invest in its citizens including individuals with unique abilities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Our state is making an historic investment by allocating $95 million to serve people on the waiting list this year. This money helps individuals achieve their goals including the opportunity to find employment, an important step towards independence.”
“I am so excited to welcome new individuals into the iBudget Florida waiver so they may receive services in their communities,” said APD Director Barbara Palmer. “We are staggering enrollment of the 1,900 people over the fiscal year to ensure APD is able to meet the needs of customers as they go through the enrollment process. With the continued support of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, we are making a huge difference in people’s lives.”
“As the Governor’s statewide Council representing the nearly half million Floridians living with developmental disabilities and their families in Florida, we so appreciate the Governor’s support for the $95 million appropriated by the Legislature to take individuals off the iBudget Florida waiver waiting list,” said Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Executive Director Valerie Breen. “These dollars should help hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families access critical and necessary services to remain at home and in their communities.”