Fort Myers, Florida – My 23-year old son, Philip “Max” Memoli suffers from severe autism. In addition to being Max’s mom, I own my own public relations and marketing business and was appointed to The Florida Developmental Disability Council (FDDC) by Governor Scott three years ago. I am 58 years old and Max’s dad is […]
Max Memoli and Elly Hagen’s Story – Fort Myers, Florida Read More »
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 today’s business world, talent is in demand. Many businesses are opening their doors to people with disabilities and have discovered a wealth of dependable job talent. The Agency for Persons
Disability Employment Awareness Month focuses on recognizing abilities Read More »
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 are applauding Governor Ron DeSantis’ commitment to serving people with disabilities in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Legislature allocated $95 million for APD to enroll approximately 1,900 people on the
APD Offers Waiver Enrollment to Individuals on Waiting List Read More »
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 home- and community-based services (HCBSs) that serve nearly 110,000 Floridians. Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, confirmed Tuesday the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) submitted its proposal Monday night
Florida seeks $1.1B in federal funding to expand Medicaid home-based services Read More »
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 Medicaid Services (CMS). The funding would come from increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) outlined under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The 10-point percentage increase will last for
Florida requests $1.1 billion to boost HCBS funding Read More »
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida is looking to secure an additional $1.1 billion from the federal government to bolster Medicaid funding over the next two years. The move is being applauded by health care groups, but the request for additional federal dollars isn’t exactly the Medicaid expansion Democrats have been pushing for a decade. The
State requests $1.1 billion for home and community-based Medicaid services Read More »
A diminishing workforce of direct service professionals is causing a crisis for Floridians with disabilities and those who rely on such services. With low wages, fears of COVID-19, a 51 percent turnover rate, group homes closing and trouble finding in-home help, the situation is dire. The American Rescue Plan’s home and community-based offer would allow Florida to receive additional
Rescue Act Dollars Addressed by Disabilities Advocates Read More »
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 access to home- and community-based programs and steer hundreds of millions of dollars to poor, elderly and disabled Floridians to purchase technology and make home improvements that enable them to
Florida asks for $1.1 billion in Medicaid funding but it’s not a step toward expansion Read More »
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 who left the industry because of health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic aren’t returning now because of low wages. When someone has a developmental disability, they may need help doing
Group Homes For Those With Developmental Disabilities Face A Growing Worker Shortage Read More »
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 latest COVID relief bill, how it impacts services and how you can help here: bit.ly/Action-Needed-Today
Don’t Leave Federal Funds on the Table Read More »