The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council and its former public relations firm, RB Oppenheim Associates, were recently honored by the Florida Public Relations Association(FPRA)'s Capital Chapter for their media relations campaign during the 2007 Legislative Session - and subsequent fall 2007 Special Session - to prevent proposed budget and service cuts to the Medicaid Waiver Program administered by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. FDDC and RBOA were presented with an 'FPRA Image Award of Distinction for Outstanding Public Information Program' at a special luncheon in Tallahassee on April 24. The successful earned-media campaign garnered more than 9 million media impressions, drew more than 600 advocates to a rally at the Florida Capitol, secured nearly 3,000 signatures (within 36 hours) to an online petition and helped minimize budget and service reductions. Pictured here (l-r) are FPRA Capital Chapter President Betsy Couch, FDDC Public Policy Coordinator Margaret Hooper, RBOA Account Manager and Campaign Coordinator Katherine Mason, and FPRA Image Awards Chair Gina Tarlow.