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