AREA 12
Family Care Council
Chair Philip Pearson
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Draft Summary Minutes
|
MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
STAFF &
GUEST PRESENT: |
|
Phil Pearson, Chair |
Rosemary & Sophie Revoir |
|
Ray Sylvestre, Treasurer Christina Pinto |
Valerie Weyant Nancy Kufect Mildretta Williams Tom Brander Sandra Mills - APD Anita Martin Kamal Leslie Richards - APD Sheila Mott - APD Gail Varnado - APD Dylan Gale -
APD Ed DeBardeleben - APD Terri McGarrity – APD Shirley Bostich - APD Daphne Sharper Jim King –
ARC UZ Swain – ARC |
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 P.M
The minutes of
the January meeting were reviewed and approved as written.
·
Last Mailing / Next Mailing
Chair Pearson asked if anyone had anything they
would like to include in the next newsletter and advised that they are still
waiting on an article regarding an APD staff member. Sandra Mills will forward email address of
support coordinator’s to Chair Pearson so that he may email the newsletters to
them.
·
Recommendations for
libraries
The Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome books were given to Treasurer Sylvester and Chair
Pearson for distribution to the
·
Speaker phone and conference
number
The Family Care Council will have to reserve a date
and time to use the call in number and it will be sent to the Central Program
office.
·
Recommended Providers
Anita Martin will send
information to Chair Pearson regarding a doctor who is willing to provide Massage
services.
§
New Members
Chair Pearson introduced new members Christina
Pinto, Irene Gallo, Susan Tanner and Sylvia Danese. Kay Samal asked how
long it took to get applications for appointment approved. Ms. McGarrity
assured him that she continues to meet with the Governor’s office to ensure
that they are a priority.
Chair Pearson read a letter of apology from Jane
Johnson, Director of APD who was unable to attend the meeting because she had
to attend a Sub Committee meeting.
§
Terry McGarrity
APD:
Ms McGarrity advised that
one of the first things that Jane Johnson did as Director of APD was to ask
about the Family Care Council. Two weeks
after she started in her position she attended the Family Care Council Florida
meeting and got an idea of how important the Family Care Council is to the
Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the individuals served. Ms. McGarrity also
spoke about the following:
§
The FCCF Legislative Platform
§
Plans proposed by the Legislature to move APD under other platforms,
such as ACHA, Managed Care, etc.
§
Senate Bill 1124 – services not being utilized are being eliminated in
an effort to provide appropriate levels
of service and keep within the budget
§
Questionnaire for Situational Information (QSI)- A new assessment tool
being used by APD to gather information about individuals on the waivers’ need
for supports and services
§
APD is conducting surveys of individuals on the waitlist. They are looking at basing the waitlist more
on need. Families will be involved in
the process.
§ OPEN DISCUSSION
Jim King, ARC reported that he had attended the
Unity Summit on February 17th and there was an article in the
Legislative Digest that he encouraged everyone to read. He stressed the importance of contacting the
Governor daily, weekly or monthly if necessary as APD is the 49th or
50th in the country for funding.
Debra Linton is the new Executive Director and Dixie Sangson
is the new lobbyist. They are asking the
Governor to allow ARC to tap into Seminole Indian gambling to fund individual
on the wait list. He asked for
everyone’s support in encouraging Senator Lynn to fund APD and fully manage
it. It is the people’s responsibility to
voice what is needed. Terry McGarrity added that the only way to get more funding and
continue to provide quality service is to remain unified. Chair Pearson has invited Senator Lynn to
present at the Family Care Council meetings however she was unable to. He advises that he will continue to try and
get her on the agenda.
With no further business to come before the Council,
the meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M.