World Record Wheelchair Dance in Florida. Will you be a part of this & help win the record?
http://ping.fm/SfXhD
Mar 14, 2012
World Record Wheelchair Dance in Florida
http://youtu.be/TT8rWvbbF74 Korey and Wendy promoting the event.
There are some people that come into your lives and instantly touch your heart; Korey Soderman does just that. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy shortly after birth, Korey has defeated all odds to live a normal life by doing what others do, just a little bit differently. Now 22, he serves as an inspiration to his classmates, community and others facing challenges just like his.
Kenny Loggins’ song “This Is It,” empowered Wendy, Korey’s mother, to give Korey the opportunity to live despite his challenging prognosis when she only had a few minutes to decide the fate of Korey and his twin Kyle. It was Fifteen years ago when Wendy first shared her amazing story of grace and courage inspired by Kenny Loggins. Every year since then, they have visited different concert venues throughout the country to hear “This Is It” performed live. Their amazing story is a A&E Documentary “Between the Lines” narrated by Robert Downey Jr. http://youtu.be/LvNUl-4xiqo The power of music has played an integral part in Korey's life, touching his soul and enriching his spirit. For that very reason, Korey’s latest endeavor is to set the World Record for the largest wheelchair dance ever! Kenny Loggins, now a close friend to the Soderman family, will be writing a special rendition of “This Is It” just for Korey and the World Record Eventon Sunday May 20, 2012 from 2:00pm – 4:30 pm at CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach. Kenny and his band, Blue Sky Riders will also be performing a concert for everyone to enjoy. The event is being hosted by radio station WRMF and CityPlace.
The wheelchair dance will bring local, regional and national community together for this milestone event. Not only will this event be a landmark for CityPlace and set a world record, Korey’s joyful excitement for life will lead by example and inspire others. Visit www.koreyskrew.com to learn more about Korey’s accomplishments and contributions for making a difference in the world. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this momentous occasion!
Join Korey on May 20, surrounded by 250 wheelchair participants toset the record for the most people dancing in a wheelchair at one time! If you travel through life in a wheelchair and would like to be a wheelchair participant and help set the world record then register at: http://rockandrollworldrecorddance.eventbrite.com/ . Once you sign-up for the event we encourage you to check out our Facebook page for updates on the event and dance (search Rock & Roll World Record Dance).
View the recent Channel 5 news special on this amazing event by clicking on the link below.
http://youtu.be/vh6xuN0V6NU
There are some people that come into your lives and instantly touch your heart; Korey Soderman does just that. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy shortly after birth, Korey has defeated all odds to live a normal life by doing what others do, just a little bit differently. Now 22, he serves as an inspiration to his classmates, community and others facing challenges just like his.
Kenny Loggins’ song “This Is It,” empowered Wendy, Korey’s mother, to give Korey the opportunity to live despite his challenging prognosis when she only had a few minutes to decide the fate of Korey and his twin Kyle. It was Fifteen years ago when Wendy first shared her amazing story of grace and courage inspired by Kenny Loggins. Every year since then, they have visited different concert venues throughout the country to hear “This Is It” performed live. Their amazing story is a A&E Documentary “Between the Lines” narrated by Robert Downey Jr. http://youtu.be/LvNUl-4xiqo The power of music has played an integral part in Korey's life, touching his soul and enriching his spirit. For that very reason, Korey’s latest endeavor is to set the World Record for the largest wheelchair dance ever! Kenny Loggins, now a close friend to the Soderman family, will be writing a special rendition of “This Is It” just for Korey and the World Record Eventon Sunday May 20, 2012 from 2:00pm – 4:30 pm at CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach. Kenny and his band, Blue Sky Riders will also be performing a concert for everyone to enjoy. The event is being hosted by radio station WRMF and CityPlace.
The wheelchair dance will bring local, regional and national community together for this milestone event. Not only will this event be a landmark for CityPlace and set a world record, Korey’s joyful excitement for life will lead by example and inspire others. Visit www.koreyskrew.com to learn more about Korey’s accomplishments and contributions for making a difference in the world. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this momentous occasion!
Join Korey on May 20, surrounded by 250 wheelchair participants toset the record for the most people dancing in a wheelchair at one time! If you travel through life in a wheelchair and would like to be a wheelchair participant and help set the world record then register at: http://rockandrollworldrecorddance.eventbrite.com/ . Once you sign-up for the event we encourage you to check out our Facebook page for updates on the event and dance (search Rock & Roll World Record Dance).
View the recent Channel 5 news special on this amazing event by clicking on the link below.
http://youtu.be/vh6xuN0V6NU
Mar 12, 2012
Will Weatherford, first Tampa Bay House speaker in a decade, ready to take reins
Will Weatherford, first Tampa Bay House speaker in a decade, ready to take reins
TALLAHASSEE — Although he's not yet speaker, many consider him the most powerful lawmaker in Tallahassee.
Consider the 2012 session that ended Friday.
In the face of a fierce budget battle, many Tampa Bay interests were protected. There was the cigarette tax revenue lawmakers approved for the expansion of Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center. A new heart research center at the University of South Florida got $6.9 million. A bill eliminating local control of a Tampa toll road authority was gutted. And USF got back $6 million for its pharmacy school after it had been stripped away by Senate budget Chairman JD Alexander.
Those involved say the lawmaker instrumental in closing those deals was incoming House Speaker Will Weatherford of Wesley Chapel. At 32, he will become the youngest speaker in modern Florida history this fall, edging Marco Rubio by three years.
"Even though he's young, he has a level of experience that most incoming speakers don't have," lobbyist Ron Book said. "It's like he's skipping from the first grade to 12th grade he's so advanced."
With a defensive end physique from his college football days at Jacksonville University somewhat intact, Weatherford cuts an imposing figure. He's a skilled tactician and loyalist in a Republican Party known for its scorched-earth politics and a rigid conservative ideology.
And yet, even political foes describe Weatherford as even-handed and decent, capable of ushering in a new era of civility for Tallahassee, an unthinkable possibility for the leader of a chamber that just two years ago was reeling from scandal and discord.
"He has the support of his entire caucus. He has the support of the minority caucus," said Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, the House Democratic minority whip.
One example of Weatherford's fairness is his work as House redistricting chairman. While the Florida Supreme Court on Friday found the Senate's district map to be "rife with objective indicators of improper intent," the court ruled the House map constitutional.
Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, lauded his successor on the House floor.
"The character, consistency and courage you showed in that process has paid off," Cannon said Friday. "That was not easy, that was very hard. But all seven supreme justices said job well done. And so do I."
Weatherford said he reluctantly agreed to become redistricting chairman, knowing the political perils that awaited. He said while he's sure he has "ticked off" some members with the newly drawn lines, he has tried to avoid conflict by obeying the law.
"You treat everyone in this process like the way you'd want to be treated if you were in their position," he said.
Empathy is a main ingredient of Weatherford's leadership, said Jenne, who was part of the same 2006 freshman class. Even though Weatherford was tapped for speaker almost immediately after getting elected, he was never as remote as other members of the Republican leadership, Jenne said.
"If there's a lowly Democrat who is having a bad session, not understanding the process, getting rolled over on everything, Will is the one to put an arm around them and say, 'Here's what you might want to do next time,'" Jenne said. "As speaker, Will can be the great conciliator. It wasn't going to be a Democrat. Will is the next best person to bring the House together. He's wrong on a ton of stuff, but I can't tell you anyone who doesn't like him."
While Cannon is known for running the House with strict discipline, Weatherford is seen as more approachable.
"Dean has run this House with military precision," said Rep. Shawn Harrison, R-Tampa. "Will is more of a slap-you-on-the-back kind of guy. It's still going to be a tight ship under Will, but it will be more free-wheeling."
Weatherford might be a likable guy, but he promises he won't be a pushover. He said if members get out of line, they can expect a firm response.
"There are two currencies in this process that are the most important," Weatherford said. "One is your word. If you give your word, you have to honor your word. The second is loyalty. You know who the people are who are loyal and will stick with you, and you know the people who are not."
Weatherford comes better prepared for speaker than most. For pointers on bicameral politics, he has sought counsel from those who previously held the speaker job.
Before Christmas, he met for several hours with H. Lee Moffitt, who served as speaker in the early 1980s and is the namesake of the cancer center.
"He picked my brain, and I told him he needs to prepare now; he can't wait until November," said Moffitt, a Democrat. "He's a very thoughtful young man. He's not partisan. He's universally liked. I think he'll be a great speaker."
Weatherford's view also comes from his family. He was an aide to Allan Bense, who was speaker from 2004 to 2006, the same year Weatherford married Bense's daughter, Courtney.
And he's surrounding himself with heavyweights — such as former Jeb Bush chief of staff Sally Bradshaw — to help him with the transition.
For some, Weatherford showed his mettle this session by negotiating with the Senate leadership in the showdown between USF and Alexander. In Alexander's push to turn USF's Lakeland campus into the state's 12th university, USF officials resisted. When Alexander proposed cuts among the state's universities, USF officials felt they were given a disproportionate share of the cuts.
Some say the deal resolving the standoff was stagecraft, meant to make Alexander look like he gave something up while burnishing the image of GOP rising stars like Weatherford.
USF lobbyist Mark Walsh disagrees.
"I still believe the Senate would have preferred to keep those cuts that way," he said. "Will was the lead local person on that issue. He was the quarterback. The deal would not have gotten done without Weatherford. If he wasn't there, or the speaker-designate was from Miami, then USF would not have gotten that funding."
Still, expectations are high, Harrison said.
"For someone who is 32 years old — 14 years younger than myself — it's amazing that he has such a high level of poise and command," he said. "Having a local speaker like this one should be very good for our local economy and Florida as a whole."
Whether his approach will have any substantial meaning is another question. Late Friday, as Weatherford spoke for the proposed $70 billion budget, he challenged Democrats to forget party lines.
Minutes later the budget passed the House, 80-37, along mostly party lines.
Times/Herald staff writers Mary Ellen Klas and Steve Bousquet contributed to this report. Michael Van Sickler can be reached at (727) 893-8037 or mvansickler@tampabay.com.
TALLAHASSEE — Although he's not yet speaker, many consider him the most powerful lawmaker in Tallahassee.
Consider the 2012 session that ended Friday.
In the face of a fierce budget battle, many Tampa Bay interests were protected. There was the cigarette tax revenue lawmakers approved for the expansion of Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center. A new heart research center at the University of South Florida got $6.9 million. A bill eliminating local control of a Tampa toll road authority was gutted. And USF got back $6 million for its pharmacy school after it had been stripped away by Senate budget Chairman JD Alexander.
Those involved say the lawmaker instrumental in closing those deals was incoming House Speaker Will Weatherford of Wesley Chapel. At 32, he will become the youngest speaker in modern Florida history this fall, edging Marco Rubio by three years.
"Even though he's young, he has a level of experience that most incoming speakers don't have," lobbyist Ron Book said. "It's like he's skipping from the first grade to 12th grade he's so advanced."
With a defensive end physique from his college football days at Jacksonville University somewhat intact, Weatherford cuts an imposing figure. He's a skilled tactician and loyalist in a Republican Party known for its scorched-earth politics and a rigid conservative ideology.
And yet, even political foes describe Weatherford as even-handed and decent, capable of ushering in a new era of civility for Tallahassee, an unthinkable possibility for the leader of a chamber that just two years ago was reeling from scandal and discord.
"He has the support of his entire caucus. He has the support of the minority caucus," said Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, the House Democratic minority whip.
One example of Weatherford's fairness is his work as House redistricting chairman. While the Florida Supreme Court on Friday found the Senate's district map to be "rife with objective indicators of improper intent," the court ruled the House map constitutional.
Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, lauded his successor on the House floor.
"The character, consistency and courage you showed in that process has paid off," Cannon said Friday. "That was not easy, that was very hard. But all seven supreme justices said job well done. And so do I."
Weatherford said he reluctantly agreed to become redistricting chairman, knowing the political perils that awaited. He said while he's sure he has "ticked off" some members with the newly drawn lines, he has tried to avoid conflict by obeying the law.
"You treat everyone in this process like the way you'd want to be treated if you were in their position," he said.
Empathy is a main ingredient of Weatherford's leadership, said Jenne, who was part of the same 2006 freshman class. Even though Weatherford was tapped for speaker almost immediately after getting elected, he was never as remote as other members of the Republican leadership, Jenne said.
"If there's a lowly Democrat who is having a bad session, not understanding the process, getting rolled over on everything, Will is the one to put an arm around them and say, 'Here's what you might want to do next time,'" Jenne said. "As speaker, Will can be the great conciliator. It wasn't going to be a Democrat. Will is the next best person to bring the House together. He's wrong on a ton of stuff, but I can't tell you anyone who doesn't like him."
While Cannon is known for running the House with strict discipline, Weatherford is seen as more approachable.
"Dean has run this House with military precision," said Rep. Shawn Harrison, R-Tampa. "Will is more of a slap-you-on-the-back kind of guy. It's still going to be a tight ship under Will, but it will be more free-wheeling."
Weatherford might be a likable guy, but he promises he won't be a pushover. He said if members get out of line, they can expect a firm response.
"There are two currencies in this process that are the most important," Weatherford said. "One is your word. If you give your word, you have to honor your word. The second is loyalty. You know who the people are who are loyal and will stick with you, and you know the people who are not."
Weatherford comes better prepared for speaker than most. For pointers on bicameral politics, he has sought counsel from those who previously held the speaker job.
Before Christmas, he met for several hours with H. Lee Moffitt, who served as speaker in the early 1980s and is the namesake of the cancer center.
"He picked my brain, and I told him he needs to prepare now; he can't wait until November," said Moffitt, a Democrat. "He's a very thoughtful young man. He's not partisan. He's universally liked. I think he'll be a great speaker."
Weatherford's view also comes from his family. He was an aide to Allan Bense, who was speaker from 2004 to 2006, the same year Weatherford married Bense's daughter, Courtney.
And he's surrounding himself with heavyweights — such as former Jeb Bush chief of staff Sally Bradshaw — to help him with the transition.
For some, Weatherford showed his mettle this session by negotiating with the Senate leadership in the showdown between USF and Alexander. In Alexander's push to turn USF's Lakeland campus into the state's 12th university, USF officials resisted. When Alexander proposed cuts among the state's universities, USF officials felt they were given a disproportionate share of the cuts.
Some say the deal resolving the standoff was stagecraft, meant to make Alexander look like he gave something up while burnishing the image of GOP rising stars like Weatherford.
USF lobbyist Mark Walsh disagrees.
"I still believe the Senate would have preferred to keep those cuts that way," he said. "Will was the lead local person on that issue. He was the quarterback. The deal would not have gotten done without Weatherford. If he wasn't there, or the speaker-designate was from Miami, then USF would not have gotten that funding."
Still, expectations are high, Harrison said.
"For someone who is 32 years old — 14 years younger than myself — it's amazing that he has such a high level of poise and command," he said. "Having a local speaker like this one should be very good for our local economy and Florida as a whole."
Whether his approach will have any substantial meaning is another question. Late Friday, as Weatherford spoke for the proposed $70 billion budget, he challenged Democrats to forget party lines.
Minutes later the budget passed the House, 80-37, along mostly party lines.
Times/Herald staff writers Mary Ellen Klas and Steve Bousquet contributed to this report. Michael Van Sickler can be reached at (727) 893-8037 or mvansickler@tampabay.com.
Final legislative report for 2012 Session
Developmental Disabilities
Legislative Session Report #9
By Kingsley Ross
Summary: The final week of the session focused principally on appropriations for people interested in developmental disabilities. The Legislature adjourned sine die at 11:59 Friday night.
Action during week 9: The Senate and House reached agreement on the General Appropriations Act (HB5001) and passed it late Friday night. For the Waiver, the results are shown below.
---------------------FY 11-12 --- Gov Recs for FY 12-13 --- FY 12-13 Approp
APD Waiver Budget $810,437,372 $796,125,002 $877,061351
FY 11-12 Deficit NA $62,918,113 $46,527,463
Proviso language for the Community Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD) program was adopted that clarifies how reductions should be taken and language implying that the state would reduce the capacity of the program was deleted.
The Adults with Disabilities issue was funded at $10.8 million, almost a million dollars more than reported earlier. CARD centers received $5.5 million, a 10% increase over this year.
Neither SB 1516, HB 1737 nor SB 1990 modifying FS 393 passed.
Action Needed. Please thank the Appropriation chairs for their support of services to people with developmental disabilities. Please contact them using the information below.
Denise
Grimsley
(863) 385-5251
denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov
Matt
Hudson
(239) 417-6270
matt.hudson@myfloridahouse.gov
JD
Alexander
(863) 679-4847
alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Joe
Negron
(772) 219-1665
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Background Analysis: The session ended much better than anyone could have expected when it began. The increase in funding for the Waiver is very substantial given the revenue context.
In addition, while the amount for the deficit fell short of what advocates and APD wanted, it should not substantially hinder APD. At a minimum, APD will carry forward a deficit from this fiscal year into next. Something they have done for, at least, the last two fiscal years. At worse, APD could try to make it up as the iBudget is implemented by insisting on more reductions. It will also make it extremely hard to address the waitlist. Nevertheless, the extra $77 million goes a long way in softening any impact.
The fact that there were no changes to Chapter 393 adds to the positive picture. It was only a few weeks ago that we were facing the prospect of having “core services” codified in Florida statutes. APD will now have to implement the iBudget without the kind of detailed authority they wanted. This could make their actions more vulnerable to administrative and legal challenges which may help families if they find it necessary to challenge what is happening to the services for their children.
Unfortunately, with the death of the SB 1990 and the others, went the last chance to pass language to fix the issue related to funding transportation services for people served on the Waiver. There were simply no other bills moving on which to amend the language, so that remains unfinished business. The down side is that consumers and agencies will have to cope with this and the loss of other “non-extraordinary” (read “non-core”) services that APD will attempt to eliminate.
So the agenda for next year is already forming - the carry forward APD deficit, the de facto implementation of core services as the iBudget is rolled out and the burgeoning waitlist. In addition, there will be a new crop of legislators to replace those who are terming out or running for other offices. This requires a renewed effort to educate them and returning legislators. It needs to begin now or we are going to find ourselves during next year’s regular session trying to explain complex issues to people who don’t understand why it is important for their constituents. The effort needs to center on consumers and their parents meeting with legislators and telling them their stories. There is no one more effective in explaining why these services are important.
Legislative Session Report #9
By Kingsley Ross
Summary: The final week of the session focused principally on appropriations for people interested in developmental disabilities. The Legislature adjourned sine die at 11:59 Friday night.
Action during week 9: The Senate and House reached agreement on the General Appropriations Act (HB5001) and passed it late Friday night. For the Waiver, the results are shown below.
---------------------FY 11-12 --- Gov Recs for FY 12-13 --- FY 12-13 Approp
APD Waiver Budget $810,437,372 $796,125,002 $877,061351
FY 11-12 Deficit NA $62,918,113 $46,527,463
Proviso language for the Community Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD) program was adopted that clarifies how reductions should be taken and language implying that the state would reduce the capacity of the program was deleted.
The Adults with Disabilities issue was funded at $10.8 million, almost a million dollars more than reported earlier. CARD centers received $5.5 million, a 10% increase over this year.
Neither SB 1516, HB 1737 nor SB 1990 modifying FS 393 passed.
Action Needed. Please thank the Appropriation chairs for their support of services to people with developmental disabilities. Please contact them using the information below.
Denise
Grimsley
(863) 385-5251
denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov
Matt
Hudson
(239) 417-6270
matt.hudson@myfloridahouse.gov
JD
Alexander
(863) 679-4847
alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Joe
Negron
(772) 219-1665
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Background Analysis: The session ended much better than anyone could have expected when it began. The increase in funding for the Waiver is very substantial given the revenue context.
In addition, while the amount for the deficit fell short of what advocates and APD wanted, it should not substantially hinder APD. At a minimum, APD will carry forward a deficit from this fiscal year into next. Something they have done for, at least, the last two fiscal years. At worse, APD could try to make it up as the iBudget is implemented by insisting on more reductions. It will also make it extremely hard to address the waitlist. Nevertheless, the extra $77 million goes a long way in softening any impact.
The fact that there were no changes to Chapter 393 adds to the positive picture. It was only a few weeks ago that we were facing the prospect of having “core services” codified in Florida statutes. APD will now have to implement the iBudget without the kind of detailed authority they wanted. This could make their actions more vulnerable to administrative and legal challenges which may help families if they find it necessary to challenge what is happening to the services for their children.
Unfortunately, with the death of the SB 1990 and the others, went the last chance to pass language to fix the issue related to funding transportation services for people served on the Waiver. There were simply no other bills moving on which to amend the language, so that remains unfinished business. The down side is that consumers and agencies will have to cope with this and the loss of other “non-extraordinary” (read “non-core”) services that APD will attempt to eliminate.
So the agenda for next year is already forming - the carry forward APD deficit, the de facto implementation of core services as the iBudget is rolled out and the burgeoning waitlist. In addition, there will be a new crop of legislators to replace those who are terming out or running for other offices. This requires a renewed effort to educate them and returning legislators. It needs to begin now or we are going to find ourselves during next year’s regular session trying to explain complex issues to people who don’t understand why it is important for their constituents. The effort needs to center on consumers and their parents meeting with legislators and telling them their stories. There is no one more effective in explaining why these services are important.
Mar 8, 2012
Great news! offer of $6.9 million for Early Steps program
Great news! The Senate (Senator Alexander) verbally accepted the House(Representative Grimsley's) offer of $6.9 million for Early Steps.
More than more than 45,000 Florida families need this vital program.
This is a VERY good time to call Senator Alexander and Representative Grimsley and thank them both for their efforts on behalf of Earley Steps!
Call: Joint Committee on Budget
Chair: Sen. JD Alexander (850) 487-5044
Vice: Rep. Denise Grimsley (850) 488-3457
More than more than 45,000 Florida families need this vital program.
This is a VERY good time to call Senator Alexander and Representative Grimsley and thank them both for their efforts on behalf of Earley Steps!
Call: Joint Committee on Budget
Chair: Sen. JD Alexander (850) 487-5044
Vice: Rep. Denise Grimsley (850) 488-3457
Agency to Shutter Programs for adults with developmental disabilities
LAKELAND | For years, Florida Baptist Children's Homes has provided services for adults with developmental disabilities.
The organization, known statewide for its programs to house and counsel troubled youth and children caught up in the state's foster care system, operates an adult group home and a day training program at its statewide headquarters in Lakeland.
It is just the sort of community-based support championed by lawmakers who, more and more, look to non-governmental solutions to house and service Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other handicaps.
Yet as legislators grapple with ongoing budget shortfalls that keep as many as 20,000 developmentally disabled people on a waiting list for services, the Baptist organization is bowing out of the picture.
It is closing the adult programs that have seen dwindling participation because of budget reductions to the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The group home, built to house seven women, has held no more than five women in recent years.
Additionally, it is discontinuing a day training program that, in its heyday, provided lessons in socializing, personal hygiene and other basic skills to as many as 22 adults. Most recently, the number has dwindled to about 15.
Officials at the Baptist homes say they're eliminating the programs in part because of the state's chronic under-funding of such services. Additionally, the agency prefers to concentrate on serving orphans, foster youth and other children through its six campuses across the state.
The adult group home opened in 1992 and "was supposed to be self-sustaining," said Charlie Cox, vice president for programs for the children's homes. But for each of the past four or five years, his agency has shelled out $40,000 to make up for cutbacks in state reimbursements.
He said another problem has been finding house parents to oversee the group home.
"We've advertised for a long period of time but very few if any have felt that specific calling, so that's been a concern," Cox said.
With no additional funding to take people off the state's ample waiting list, programs experience little or no turnover. When people leave, there's no one to take their place, leaving the community-based agencies to make greater sacrifices, such as eliminating staff, said Shirley Balogh, president and CEO of Alliance for Independence in Lakeland.
Since September, Balogh has laid off five workers. Her two group homes each accommodate four residents, two fewer than capacity.
AFI's day training program now serves only 96 people, down from 130 people a little more than five years ago. Making matters worse, Balogh said, her reimbursement rate has been reduced 25 percent for each individual served.
The only good news of late is that lawmakers never made good on a proposal to cut another $55 million from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for the fiscal year that began July 1.
And in the current legislative session, both the House and the Senate propose increases of up to $75 million in services to the developmentally disabled for fiscal year 2012-13. That could eliminate the budget deficit that has dogged the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for the past three years.
The additional money is a drop in the bucket considering the agency's current overall budget of slightly more than $1 billion. Gov. Rick Scott has proposed reducing that to $990 million for fiscal year 2012-13.
But any increase in money for services would alleviate hardships and restore some services to some of the state's most vulnerable citizens, Balogh said.
"It's just a matter of how (the funds) are distributed and what priorities are set," she said.
Cox of the Baptist Children's Homes said there are enough programs in Polk County to facilitate the people who will no longer receive his services. Some of those in day training have already toured Balogh's agency.
Cox said he hopes the five women housed on his campus will be able to stay together, as they have forged friendships, though the decision is out of his hands.
"The placement is not our decision," he said. "It's primarily the family and the APD. But if all possible it would be great if they could find facilities that could take the ladies who want to stay together."
By Eric Pera
THE LEDGER
The organization, known statewide for its programs to house and counsel troubled youth and children caught up in the state's foster care system, operates an adult group home and a day training program at its statewide headquarters in Lakeland.
It is just the sort of community-based support championed by lawmakers who, more and more, look to non-governmental solutions to house and service Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other handicaps.
Yet as legislators grapple with ongoing budget shortfalls that keep as many as 20,000 developmentally disabled people on a waiting list for services, the Baptist organization is bowing out of the picture.
It is closing the adult programs that have seen dwindling participation because of budget reductions to the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The group home, built to house seven women, has held no more than five women in recent years.
Additionally, it is discontinuing a day training program that, in its heyday, provided lessons in socializing, personal hygiene and other basic skills to as many as 22 adults. Most recently, the number has dwindled to about 15.
Officials at the Baptist homes say they're eliminating the programs in part because of the state's chronic under-funding of such services. Additionally, the agency prefers to concentrate on serving orphans, foster youth and other children through its six campuses across the state.
The adult group home opened in 1992 and "was supposed to be self-sustaining," said Charlie Cox, vice president for programs for the children's homes. But for each of the past four or five years, his agency has shelled out $40,000 to make up for cutbacks in state reimbursements.
He said another problem has been finding house parents to oversee the group home.
"We've advertised for a long period of time but very few if any have felt that specific calling, so that's been a concern," Cox said.
With no additional funding to take people off the state's ample waiting list, programs experience little or no turnover. When people leave, there's no one to take their place, leaving the community-based agencies to make greater sacrifices, such as eliminating staff, said Shirley Balogh, president and CEO of Alliance for Independence in Lakeland.
Since September, Balogh has laid off five workers. Her two group homes each accommodate four residents, two fewer than capacity.
AFI's day training program now serves only 96 people, down from 130 people a little more than five years ago. Making matters worse, Balogh said, her reimbursement rate has been reduced 25 percent for each individual served.
The only good news of late is that lawmakers never made good on a proposal to cut another $55 million from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for the fiscal year that began July 1.
And in the current legislative session, both the House and the Senate propose increases of up to $75 million in services to the developmentally disabled for fiscal year 2012-13. That could eliminate the budget deficit that has dogged the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for the past three years.
The additional money is a drop in the bucket considering the agency's current overall budget of slightly more than $1 billion. Gov. Rick Scott has proposed reducing that to $990 million for fiscal year 2012-13.
But any increase in money for services would alleviate hardships and restore some services to some of the state's most vulnerable citizens, Balogh said.
"It's just a matter of how (the funds) are distributed and what priorities are set," she said.
Cox of the Baptist Children's Homes said there are enough programs in Polk County to facilitate the people who will no longer receive his services. Some of those in day training have already toured Balogh's agency.
Cox said he hopes the five women housed on his campus will be able to stay together, as they have forged friendships, though the decision is out of his hands.
"The placement is not our decision," he said. "It's primarily the family and the APD. But if all possible it would be great if they could find facilities that could take the ladies who want to stay together."
By Eric Pera
THE LEDGER
Feb 23, 2012
Make sure you call in and take part in the “White House Monthly Disability Call.” http://ping.fm/q4dSv
“White House Monthly Disability Call”
Hello Everyone,
In order to help keep you more informed, we host monthly calls to update you on various disability issues as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the Federal government.
This call is open to everyone, and we strongly urge and ask that you distribute this email broadly to your networks and listservs so that everyone has the opportunity to learn this valuable information.
If you received this email as a forward but would like to be added to the White House Disability Group email distribution list, please visit our website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/disability-issues-contact and fill out the "contact us" form in the disabilities section, or you can email us at disability@who.eop.gov and provide your full name, city, state, and organization.
We will continue to answer the questions and issues many of you raised through disability.gov. So, dial in to hear if we answer your question or address your issue.
We also will have other presenters on the call.
I would encourage you to call in about five minutes early due to the large volume of callers.
The conference call information is below.
Date of Call: 2/29/2012
Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EST (dial in 5 minutes early)
Dial in: (800) 230-1766
Code: “White House Monthly Disability Call”
For live captioning, at the start time of the event, please login by clicking on the link below. Please only use this feature if you are deaf or hard of hearing. http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1907398&CustomerID=321
In order to help keep you more informed, we host monthly calls to update you on various disability issues as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the Federal government.
This call is open to everyone, and we strongly urge and ask that you distribute this email broadly to your networks and listservs so that everyone has the opportunity to learn this valuable information.
If you received this email as a forward but would like to be added to the White House Disability Group email distribution list, please visit our website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/disability-issues-contact and fill out the "contact us" form in the disabilities section, or you can email us at disability@who.eop.gov and provide your full name, city, state, and organization.
We will continue to answer the questions and issues many of you raised through disability.gov. So, dial in to hear if we answer your question or address your issue.
We also will have other presenters on the call.
I would encourage you to call in about five minutes early due to the large volume of callers.
The conference call information is below.
Date of Call: 2/29/2012
Start Time: 3:00 p.m. EST (dial in 5 minutes early)
Dial in: (800) 230-1766
Code: “White House Monthly Disability Call”
For live captioning, at the start time of the event, please login by clicking on the link below. Please only use this feature if you are deaf or hard of hearing. http://www.fedrcc.us//Enter.aspx?EventID=1907398&CustomerID=321
Feb 17, 2012
Fl Senate chairman Joe Negron unveiled plan to increase APD's waiver funding to $887 million.
http://ping.fm/ShKzO
http://ping.fm/ShKzO
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