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Governor Ron DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget Reaffirms Commitment to Protect the Health and Safety of Vulnerable Floridians

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Governor Ron DeSantis today announced his Framework for Freedom budget recommendations showing his steadfast commitment to helping Floridians with developmental disabilities served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Last year, the Governor allocated unprecedented funding to APD’s budget which totaled more than $2 billion in strong investments in the Agency and Floridians served.

“Governor DeSantis continues to champion the health, safety, and well-being of Floridians with disabilities and their families,” said APD Director Taylor Hatch. “As the new Director, I look forward to serving and creating opportunities for vulnerable families through the funding dedicated to people with disabilities in the Framework for Freedom budget recommendations.”

Governor DeSantis continues to advocate for all Florida families with these key investments:

  • $79.6 million to enroll an estimated 1,200 individuals onto the Agency’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver.
  • $3.4 million to support individuals who are dually diagnosed as behaviorally unstable and at risk of homelessness.
  • $2.1 million to assist with completing Licensed Group Home Medication Reviews to ensure quality services are provided to the residents.
  • $5.8 million to plan for the construction of a 200-bed forensic facility on the Sunland Center campus in Jackson County.
  • $5.7 million for contracted services at agency facilities to ensure adequate staffing on a 24-hour basis.
  • More than $530,000 to implement seven new positions for monitoring and oversite of APD licensed providers.
  • $1.27 million of additional funding to continue the development of the Agency’s central client data system which includes electronic visit verification (EVV) for certain waiver services.

To learn more about the Governor’s Recommended Budget, visit FrameworkForFreedomBudget.com.

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).