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 |
ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS:
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 P.M
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the January meeting were reviewed and approved as
written.
OLD
BUSINESS:
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
BUSINESS:
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.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M.