Family Care Council

District 12

 

August 11, 2005

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                  STAFF & GUEST PRESENT:

Edith Kegle                                         Edwin De Bardeleben, APD Program Administrator

Linda Peterson                                    Philip Pearson, parent advocate

Kamal Samar                                       Debbie Deck, President Dove Villas

                                                            Ray Sylvestre, ARC

MEMBERS ABSENT:                    John Redigan, ARC

Marybeth Muldowney                                    Susan Tanner, FLAC

Sandy LaCour                                     Shawna Retallack, Secretary FCC

                                                            Carol Fabbrini, parent advocate

                                                            Al Fabbrini, parent advocate

                                                            Regine Beauboeuf, WORC Inc.

                                                            Kelly Johanessen, WORC/UCP of East Central FL

                                                            Johnnie Feaster, parent advocate

 

 

I.                   ROLL CALL:

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:10 PM.  Roll call established a quorum.

 

II.                APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Member Samar made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 9, 2005 meeting as written.  Member Peterson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

III.             NEW BUSINESS:

 

Member Kegle requested that a motion be made to address the FCC bylaws and benchmark other areas in a committee in order to make the FCC a better organization.  Ed De Bardeleben suggested that the FCC wait until more members join to form the committee.

 

Ed stated that Wilma Lefler will be at the next FCC meeting.

 

Member Samar stated that members need to encourage younger people to join the FCC.  Member Kegle suggested that more information be mailed out to induce more involvement.  Member Kegle stated that state legislators will be invited to future FCC meetings.  Florida senator Evelyn Lynn is very involved with the issues concerning FCC members and hopefully will attend future FCC meetings.

 

Member Kegle requested that a motion be made to form a committee with ARC and United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida and any other group that is advocating/ educating for the developmentally disabled, i.e. CARD (UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities 12001 Science Dr. Suite 145 Orlando, FL 32826 (407)737-2566/ (888)558-1908 (407)7372571 Fax, ucfcard@mail.ucf.edu).  Member Samar made a motion to form a committee with ARC and United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida as well as any other group that is advocating/ educating for the developmentally disabled, i.e. CARD, to develop forums to educate the public on priority concerns of the needs of the people with developmental disabilities and members of the FCC.  Member Peterson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  In response to the motion Ed De Bardeleben suggested that the providers not be the drivers of the meetings.  Family members need to lead the meetings and be integral members of the committee that will be formed.

 

Member Kegle requested suggestions for the future of the FCC.  Al and Carol Fabbrini recommended that the FCC specifically document the goals and achievements of their organization to show people the facts.  One of their main concerns is that people with developmental disabilities are being mistreated.

 

Member Samar made a motion to invite a representative from Maximus or APS to attend a future FCC meeting.  Member Peterson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Member Samar agreed to make the contracts and arrangements necessary.

 

Member Kegle introduced the application for anyone who would like to apply to become a member of the FCC.  She stated that anyone who is a family member of a person with a developmental disability is eligible to apply for membership.  Secretary Retallack stated that a copy of the application could be made for anyone interested.

 

IV.             OPEN DISCUSSION: 

 

Member Kegle asked that anyone present at the meeting representing an agency for people with developmental disabilities give a brief description of the agency. 

 

John Redigan from ARC of Volusia stated that they supported 250 clients with developmental disabilities.  Approximately 100 clients are located in Deland, 100 clients in Daytona, and between 50 and 65 at work.  He stated that they served people with severe to moderate disabilities.  There are 42 ARC sites in Florida and 37 of those sites provide services to people with disabilities.  He also stated that ARC of Volusia has a contract with DaVillas. 

 

Kelly Johanessen from WORC inc. informed those present that WORC inc. is now United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida.  She stated that they have been providing services to people with developmental as well as other disabilities for 35 years.  UCP provides training for independent living.  They also provide janitorial services for the facilities that participate in the training.  UPC has a youth employment program for young people with disabilities to gain work experience.  Kelly stated that UCP of East Central Florida is a service provider for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.  Ed De Bardeleben mentioned that better data collecting showed a rise of employment of disabled people in the community.

Members Kegle and Samar described an annual event in Tallahassee called Family Café.  They stated that it was a face to face question and answers opportunity for those seeking information.  The event featured informative lectures and workshops and approximately four thousand people participated.  They both recommended that everyone present should participate next year.

 

V.                AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES UPDATE:

 

Ed De Bardeleben gave an update on the Agency of Persons with Disabilities.  On October 1, 2004 Department of Children and Families and Agency of Persons with Disabilities split.  Currently APD reports directly to the governor of Florida, Jeb Bush.  He stated that there were 56 million dollars in recurring funds and this surplus of funds is being addressed.  He stated that several things contributed to the surplus.  Unauthorized billing was a cause as well as the FSL (Family and Supported Living Waiver) transition.  Also, the legislature allows the APD to use surplus to serve people on the waiting list for services.  He stated that 6,000 people will be transitioned off the waitlist with the surplus funds.  The APD implemented a triage (Nursing, Residential Services and Supported Living) in which 360 people would be bumped up for services.  The triage will arrange the funding coming on from HCBS (Home and Community Based Services Waiver) and FSL.  Provider capacity will be evaluated as more people need services.  Of the 1,350 people from Area 12 on the waiting list 208 people will be transitioned to one of the waivers this year.  People exiting school that need employment services will be helped with revenue funds.  There are 14,000 people on the waiting list right now not getting any services.  No one is removed from the waitlist unless they request it.  If they elect to stay on the waitlist it will be revisited again next year.  When people are taken off the waiting list it will take about 6 months to transition them.  In that time it takes 45 to 90 days to determine Medicaid eligibility.  Support Coordination Selection and Prior Service Authorization are also done in that time.  The FSL, which includes children and behavioral services, Cost Plan will be done at the area office level.  In his conclusion Ed stated that APD is entering a new contract with APS Healthcare.

 

VI.             ADJOURNMENT:

 

With no further business to come before the council the meeting adjourned at 5:05 PM.