-WHAT'S NEW AT THE FDDC-
The FDDC has created a new resource for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services Florida Medicaid and the iBudget Wavier. Families, Providers, and Support Coordinators may also benefit from this information. The three areas addressed are:
Transportation to Work: Click Here
Accessing Home Health, Nursing and Personal Supports: Click Here
How to Get a Customized Wheelchair through Florida Medicaid: Click Here
FOR A CATEGORIZED LIST OF ALL FDDC PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES, Click Here
WINGS initiative aims to improve guardianship through collaboration - Click Here for Press Release
Provider Rate Crisis
Provider Rate Crisis Brochure: Click Here
Provider Rate Webinar, 03/02/2017 Click Here
Legislative Activities
Better Care Reconciliation Act - Bulletin
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is following the Senate Health Care bill called the Better Care Reconciliation Act. There are many proposed changes to Medicaid funding , the safety net for health care that many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities depend on to be included in their community.
Please call the U.S. Capitol Switch Board (202)-224-3121 and ask for Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio. Let them know your opinion of the proposed changes to Medicaid. Please see the attached 145 page bill (Click Here) and section by section Summary (Click Here).
Click Here for the Councils Statement on proposed changes to Medicaid.
2017 FDDC Op-Ed (by Council Members - Susan Kabot and Dick Bradley): Click Here
Floridians concerned about funding and services for people with developmental disabilities are invited to join us at the state Capitol for the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day presented by The Arc of Florida and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. For more information contact Margaret Hooper at (850) 488-4180.
Budget waiver waitlist training
- iBudget Advocate Training Video
- iBudget Advocate Training PowerPoint
- Get to Know YourNeighbors Exercise
- How to Call Your Legislator Tip Sheet
- How to Write a Letter to Your Legislator
- Sample Advocate Training Flyer
- The Teamwork Game
- Training Evaluation
Communications
New FDDC Executive Director - Press Release
2017 Media Toolkit for holding a DD Awareness Day in your town
FDDC Residential Options of Florida Ad
See Our Abilities, Not Our Disabilities Ad
Florida Employment First Grassroots Group
A grassroots group is made of people at the local level who get together to identify, plan,and accomplish goals that help address community needs. The Employment First Florida Grassroots Group is made up of people with disabilities and people who support them to improve employment opportunities. The Employment First Grassroots Group is a way for people to share their ideas and experiences about employment. Anyone who wants to share their experiences, make recommendations about how to improve employment, and learn new ideas about employment can join. All meetings are held online and by phone. If you would liketo participate, call Sheila Johnson at 617-287-4367, or email her at: sheila.johnson@umb.edu.
The Grassroots meetings Schedule:
All meetings are scheduled from 3:00 - 4:00p.m. (EST)
Tuesday 7/18/17 - Peer Curriculum/Self Advocacy
Tuesday 10/17/17 – Success Stories
For more information about Florida Employment First Click Here
ABLE ACT
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act
For more information Click Here, or to open an ABLE account please visit ableunited.com
Community Coalition Up-Dates
The Council has developed a partnership with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to develop four (4) sustainable coalitions in Florida that eventually can support the development of informal and volunteer services available in their area to help meet identified unmet needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are currently on Florida’s Medicaid Waiver waitlist. A long term goal of this project is to form grassroots coalitions throughout the state that are capable of identifying and increasing access to generic or shared services that can be utilized by the larger community. During the first year of this project, coalition building began in Escambia, Santa Rosa, & Okaloosa counties (Area 1), Jefferson, Madison & Taylor counties (Area 2) and Alachua, Bradford and Levy counties (Area 3).
Click Here for storyabout Project Enable's First Respite Day.
Florida Unique Abilities
The FDDCis a proud partner of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunities Florida Unique Abilities Program.
This program recognizes businesses in our state that are committed to providing career and financial opportunities to individuals with unique abilities and to the organizations that support them.
Thanks to dedicated business partners and advocacy organizations, the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program will strengthen our state’s economy and workforce by giving a talented but untapped group of Floridians who want to work more opportunities to do so.
The program is designed to raise awareness about the economic and social benefits of employing individuals with unique abilities. Participating businesses demonstrate their dedication to strengthening communities and the economy by helping these Floridians with untapped talents to become more independent. The program also provides opportunities to partner with other businesses, organizations and state resources in this endeavor.
We encourage other businesses and non-profits to join in. For more information, please Click Here.
