From the

Area 12 Family Care Council, www.fcc12.org

to the

Developmentally Disabled Folks and Their Families

2/8/07

Hello  Folks,

 

I just thought that I would send you a short update from your Family Care Council (FCC).  We are your voice to the system.  Here are a few items that should be of interest to you.

 

Waiting List

If your child is developmentally disabled and in school,  you are probably already receiving the services that you need.  The degree of services, of course, depends very much on how well you negotiated the writing of your IEP (Individual Education Plan) with the school system.  Don't forget us, because we can probably put you in touch with people that can help with this.  Anyway,  back to the waiting list.

 

Have you registered with your local APD office.  Remember, if you don't, you will NEVER get services once you child reaches the age of 22.  So, run – don't walk to your APD office in Daytona Beach to sign up.

 

Also realize that after the age of 22,  assuming that you ran to the APD office and signed up, all of your services will probably stop and you will be on the waiting list.  This means that any respite that you are receiving,  any therapy that you are getting,  any behavioral counseling, or anything else will stop unless you are willing to pay for it out of your own pocket.  And let me tell you,  this stuff is expensive.

 

The waiting list is currently over 13,000 folks.  That's right, 13,000.  Should I say it again?  13,000.

 

Now,  as an example, we moved here two and a half years ago and the wait-list number for our son is 12,709.

 

Unless something drastic happens, we will probably die before our son receives any services – then what will happen to him?  Did I hear you say that you haven't signed up yet?  Better run!

 

Better still,  contact APD to find out how to join the Family Care Council.  Become part of the voice that will help to eliminate the waiting list and guarantee funds for services that your child needs.  APD's phone number is 386-947-4026.  Check out our web site at www.fcc12.org and join our google mailing list to receive frequent updates on what is happening and what you can do.

 

Also ask APD what your waiting list number is.  And keep asking every year.

 

 

Legislature

The legislature is one area that the FCC must become involved with.  All of the money that we need to fund the services that our folks needs comes from the legislature.  Without that, there are no matching Medicaid funds and with no Medicaid funds, there are no services.

Not only do we need initiatives for funding but we need to also stay on top of legislation as it is proposed and introduced through the legislative process.

Did you know that your state representatives and senators unanimously approved a bill to move children in foster care to the top of the waiting list?  This, of course, moves everyone else towards the bottom resulting in possible years of extra waiting. 

We need to find out about this stuff before it happens and at least give our input into the process.

Here's a good test.  Write or call your senator or representative and ask them why they passed this.  I asked my senator and do not have an answer yet.

All of your representatives and senators are listed on our website at www.fcc12.org.  Check it out and contact them.

Family Care Council

Ahhh!  The answer is to get involved.  It is the only way to influence the people that control the money that provides the services that your child will need.  Join the Area 12 Family Care Council.  We usually meet the 2nd Thursday of each month from 3 to about 5pm at the Easter Seals facility located at 1219 Dunn Ave., Daytona Beach.   We will be meeting there for our next March 8th meeting. 

Our April meeting, however,  will be on the 12th at the Bunnel City hall, 200 S. Church St. in Bunnel,  from 7-9 pm.  See the web site for directions if you don't know where it is. 

We plan to periodically move our meetings to try and make them more accessible to more folks.  The May, June and July meetings will be back in Daytona Beach with the August meeting planned for the Volusia ARC location in Deland.  See the web site for up-to-date information.

Well, I enjoyed talking with you.  Hope to see you at a meeting.

Oh,  and did I forget?  Do you know your waiting list number?

Philip A. Pearson

Philip Pearson – Chairman Area 12 Family Care Council
ppearson1@mindspring.com
386-445-1288