Agency for Persons with Disabilities Receives Positive Budget

By Director Barbara Palmer

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) had another successful Legislative Session with many positive measures being approved in the state budget to help people with developmental disabilities.

APD will receive a budget of $1.3 billion on July 1. This is a significant financial commitment to individuals with developmental disabilities in Florida.

Budget highlights include the following:

$3.7 million to offer Medicaid waiver enrollment to more than 400 people with intensive needs.
$15 million for service provider rate increases for:

Adult Day Training
Nursing Services provided by Licensed Practical Nurses
Personal Support Services
Residential Habilitation – Standard
Residential Habilitation – Behavior Focus and Intensive Behavioral
Supported Employment Services

$750,000 to continue the Employment Enhancement Project (EEP), which provides internships and on-the-job training for individuals on the Medicaid waiver waiting list, for a fifth year.
$805,000 for improvements to William J. Rish Recreational Park (Billy Joe Rish Park). Rish Park is a state park on Cape San Blas in Gulf County that was built and designed for people with disabilities.
$2 million for the new client database software and the electronic visit verification project called APD iConnect. This is the third year of funding to continue system development.
$1 million to serve individuals with intensive behaviors in smaller community-based residential settings.

APD continues to receive wonderful support from Governor Rick Scott and lawmakers which is demonstrated in this budget. The agency appreciates the cooperation of stakeholders to achieve so many positive outcomes to benefit our customers. We look forward to another outstanding year.