News & Updates
Stay informed and connected with FDDC news and other updates from across the state that impact those with developmental disabilities.
FDDC Connections 9/14/23
Stay connected with the most important news from the FDDC! with ways to engage; community news; letters from leadership; and resources.
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The Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
This week, we are celebrating Direct Support Professionals Week, a time to honor our DSPs for the work they do to help those with intellectual …
Celebrate Grandparents’ Day September 10, 2023
I think back to the role my own grandparents played in my life, shaping my own cultural and religious beliefs. One set was younger and …
FDDC Connections: 8/30/23
FDDC news you can use about the Florida SAND fellow, Advocacy Guide; Back to School, and Hurricane Preparedness. Click here to read the 8/30/2023 edition …
Let’s Celebrate the ADA – But There Is Still More Work to Do
On the 33rd anniversary of the ADA, let’s all make it our responsibility to reach out and provide support to someone with a disability – …
Miami Gardens Disabilities Advocate Receives Top Award
Miami Gardens resident Denise Prehay received the 14th Annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy Award – the state’s top honor recognizing an individual with a …
Thousands of disabled Floridians spending years on Medicaid waiver waitlist
Thousands of disabled Floridians are currently sitting on a waiting list for the Medicaid iBudget Florida waiver, which would provide them with services to help them …
Sarah Goldman advocates for universal accessibility, inclusion and equality on the 32nd Anniversary of the ADA
I was born into “generation ADA,” which is anyone born around or after the time the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990. I …
Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
Air travel for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be challenging. There can be a lot of confusion, lack of assistance and damaged wheelchairs. …
Dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In 2020, Congress designated 988 as a new three-digit dialing, …
APD Announces Record Rate Increases to Direct Support Professionals in Freedom First Budget
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 …
Florida’s Purple Alert Plan is Now in Effect
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, …
FDLE Gets Ready to Issue Purple Alerts Across Florida for Missing Adults
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 …
Special Savings Program for Floridians
Attention self-advocates and family members! There is a savings program for Floridians with disabilities to leverage called ABLE United. Managed by Florida Prepaid, ABLE United …
Disability Employment Awareness Month focuses on recognizing abilities
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month in Florida. This is when our state and the nation focus on job opportunities for people with disabilities. In …
APD Offers Waiver Enrollment to Individuals on Waiting List
With the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) offering Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waiver enrollment to individuals on the waiver waiting list, advocates …
Florida seeks $1.1B in federal funding to expand Medicaid home-based services
The DeSantis administration is seeking an additional $1.1 billion in federal Medicaid dollars available under the American Rescue Plan over the next two years for …
Florida requests $1.1 billion to boost HCBS funding
On Monday, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) submitted a $1.1 billion spending plan for home and community-based services (HCBS) to the Centers for Medicare and …
Florida asks for $1.1 billion in Medicaid funding but it’s not a step toward expansion
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is asking the federal government for an additional $1.1 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next two years to bolster …
Group Homes For Those With Developmental Disabilities Face A Growing Worker Shortage
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 …
Don’t Leave Federal Funds on the Table
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 …
Florida COVID vaccine plan mostly bypasses developmentally disabled population
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, …
Gov. DeSantis health budget wins praise — mostly (FloridaPolitics.com)
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 …
DeSantis’ Budget Vetoes A ‘Big Hit’ To Florida’s Health Care System
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 …
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council commends Gov. DeSantis for preserved funding
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council issued a statement Monday recognizing Gov. Ron DeSantis‘s decision to leave the funding for the iBudget Waiver and the Agency for …
Sunrise Podcast – Interview with Valerie Breen, FDDC Executive Director (interview starts at 10-minute mark)
Floridians with disabilities rally in the Capitol Courtyard as lawmakers try to figure out how to deal with the waiting list for persons with intellectual …
Florida Politics Sunburn – Sunrise Podcast interview with Valerie by Rick Flagg
Floridians with disabilities rally in the Capitol Courtyard as lawmakers try to figure out how to deal with the waiting list for persons with intellectual …
Advocates Gather at State Capitol for Developmental Disabilities and Transportation Awareness Day
Hundreds of Floridians concerned about the quality of care and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as those who are transportation …
Sunburn – The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics
Could the fact that Monday night’s Capitol Press Corps Skits were the 65th iteration of this annual lampooning of Florida politics be portentous? As one wag …
A prime-time look at the 2020 Legislative Session
Sixty Days — A prime-time look at the 2019 Legislative Session: The Last 24 The House has been moving forward with a proposal that would …
Thank You to all of our partners of the 2020 Disabilities & Transportation Awareness Day
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council would like to thank everyone who attended our Disabilities & Transportation Awareness Day on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at the …
2020 Idelio Award Winner, Danielle McGill & Executive Director, Valerie Breen
2020 Idelio Award Winner, Danielle McGill & Executive Director, Valerie Breen Fort Lauderdale resident Danielle McGill received the 11th Annual Idelio Valdes Leadership and Advocacy …