Governor Ron DeSantis today released his Freedom First budget recommendations which demonstrate his ongoing commitment to helping vulnerable Floridians with developmental disabilities served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD).
APD Director Barbara Palmer said, “I thank Governor DeSantis for his tremendous leadership that has kept Florida’s economy thriving. Our strong economy provides the resources to create an outstanding state budget recommendation which will meet the needs of Floridians with developmental disabilities. I appreciate Governor DeSantis for making Floridians with developmental disabilities a vital emphasis in his Freedom First budget.”
Key investments include:
- $25.5 million to enroll an estimated 480 individuals off of the waiver waiting list.
- $1.47 million of additional funding to continue the implementation of APD iConnect. This system will provide APD with a central client data system and includes electronic visit verification (EVV) of some waiver services.
- $60 million to increase waiver rates for Behavioral Services and for direct care providers to ensure continued access to high quality care for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- $1 million for Employment Services and paid Internships for an estimated 650 individuals on the waiver waiting list.
“The Association of Support Coordination Agencies of Florida (ASCAF) would like to thank Governor DeSantis and his staff for supporting individuals with disabilities and providing the support needed for them to live meaningful and rewarding lives in their communities. These additional administrative supports, when merged with provider supports, will provide improved service delivery and the needed framework for individuals to be successful,” said ASCAF President Ryan Chandler.
To see the complete Governor’s Recommended Budget, visit Freedom First Budget.
APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 58,000 Floridians with severe forms of autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid 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).
