New APD Administrator for the Orlando Area

TALLAHASSEE — The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)

has a new administrator for the Orlando area. APD Director Jim

DeBeaugrine has selected Merari Perez for the position. Perez will

be responsible for providing services to individuals with

developmental disabilities in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole

counties which makes up APD’s Area 7.

DeBeaugrine said, “Merari Perez has a wealth of experience

serving citizens with developmental disabilities in this area of the

state. Out of a strong pool of candidates, she stood out as the best

person to lead this APD area office due to her strong organizational

and problem-solving abilities. Her leadership will benefit the agency

in the future.”

Prior to this appointment, Perez worked as the Program

Operations Administration for APD’s Area 7 Office in Orlando. She

has 11 years of experience working with people with developmental

disabilities.

Perez has a Master’s degree in human resource management and a

bachelor’s degree in social work.

Perez moved from the Chicago area to Orlando in 1998 when she

went to work for the Florida Department of Children and Families in

the Developmental Disabilities program as a human services counselor.

Later, she was responsible for and oversaw the Medicaid Home and

Community-Based Services waiver services in Area 7. Since APD was

created in 2004, Perez has been responsible for coordination and

management of intake and eligibility, support coordination, and

Medicaid waiver services for the Orlando office.

Perez said, “I am very excited and honored to be appointed Area

Administrator for Area 7. In the past five years as the Program

Operations Administrator, I have had the privilege of working with

providers and community leaders to meet the challenges and goals for

the individuals we serve. I am looking forward to the future and

plan to build on the working relationships with the agency’s

community partners.”

WaiverProvider.com would like to wish Merari Perez good luck. 727-841-8943