Last month, Governor DeSantis signed Florida’s Freedom First Budget to continue his commitment to helping individuals with developmental disabilities. For the first time ever, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) will have a record high budget totaling over $2 billion for Fiscal Year 2022-23, providing record provider rate increases to give Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) […]
There are plenty of color-coded alerts in Florida — Amber, Silver, Blue and now Purple. The newest color-coded alert, which went into effect July 1, 2022, will assist in the location of missing adults with mental, cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities. You must SIGN UP to receive email or text alerts when a Purple Alert
Florida’s Purple Alert Plan is Now in Effect Read More »
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced it will begin issuing Purple Alerts in Florida on July 1. Florida’s Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Purple Alert will be used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from mental, cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
FDLE Gets Ready to Issue Purple Alerts Across Florida for Missing Adults Read More »
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida is looking to secure an additional $1.1 billion from the federal government to bolster Medicaid funding over the next two years. The move is being applauded by health care groups, but the request for additional federal dollars isn’t exactly the Medicaid expansion Democrats have been pushing for a decade. The
State requests $1.1 billion for home and community-based Medicaid services Read More »
A diminishing workforce of direct service professionals is causing a crisis for Floridians with disabilities and those who rely on such services. With low wages, fears of COVID-19, a 51 percent turnover rate, group homes closing and trouble finding in-home help, the situation is dire. The American Rescue Plan’s home and community-based offer would allow Florida to receive additional
Rescue Act Dollars Addressed by Disabilities Advocates Read More »
Developmental disability service providers are the latest to join a list of employers who say they’re facing a worker shortage. Advocates say direct support professionals who left the industry because of health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic aren’t returning now because of low wages. When someone has a developmental disability, they may need help doing
Group Homes For Those With Developmental Disabilities Face A Growing Worker Shortage Read More »
We are urging the Florida Legislature to not leave Federal funds for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the table. Learn more about the latest COVID relief bill, how it impacts services and how you can help here: bit.ly/Action-Needed-Today
Don’t Leave Federal Funds on the Table Read More »
Florida COVID vaccine plan mostly bypasses developmentally disabled population But help may be on the way When Pat Shepard went to get her COVID-19 shot, her 48-year-old daughter with developmental disabilities and severe medical problems asked why she couldn’t get hers, too. At first, her doctor said she didn’t see why not, only to learn that
Florida COVID vaccine plan mostly bypasses developmentally disabled population Read More »
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed $96.6 billion budget unveiled Thursday got high marks from most, but not all, health-care providers that treat poor, elderly and disabled Floridians. The Governor did not recommend Medicaid rate cuts for nursing homes or hospitals in his proposed spending plan for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, drawing praise from associations that lobby
Gov. DeSantis health budget wins praise — mostly (FloridaPolitics.com) Read More »
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $140.5 million in health care spending from the state’s new budget Monday as he brought the spending plan in line with reduced revenues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. In trying to balance the 2020-2021 budget, which takes effect Wednesday, DeSantis vetoed scores of health care-related projects but also cut
DeSantis’ Budget Vetoes A ‘Big Hit’ To Florida’s Health Care System Read More »