A Message from Governor Crist

August 12, 2008

Dear Friend,

I am proud to announce the appointment of James DeBeaugrine of Tallahassee as the executive director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. As you know, Jim has served as the agency’s interim director since May and previously as the agency’s deputy director for budget and planning since August 2007.

Jim has extensive experience in serving the people of Florida as an analyst and staff director for the Florida House of Representatives. There, Jim gained considerable experience with Florida’s programs that serve persons with disabilities. I am confident that Jim has significant expertise that will prove helpful in continuing to provide quality services to persons with disabilities and their families and caregivers.

Jim will carry forward our work to improve opportunities for independent living for persons with disabilities. He is committed to listening to the needs of the agency's customers and taking action to respond to those needs. In Jim, Floridians with disabilities have a strong advocate for increased access to education, meaningful employment, and quality services.

Interestingly, Jim's first budget assignment almost 20 years ago, during his service with the Florida House of Representatives, was the Developmental Services Program, which has grown and expanded into what we have today in the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. In addition to having extensive budget experience, he also has a great heart and cares a great deal about the citizens he serves. He understands the challenges the persons with disabilities and caregivers experience every day.

Please join me in welcoming Jim to this important role.

May God continue to bless Florida,

Charlie Crist

Statement by Jim DeBeaugrine Regarding Being Appointed Director of APD

"I am humbled by Governor Charlie Crist's decision to select me as the permanent director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and look forward to continuing my work to improve the agency. I am truly dedicated to enhancing the lives of the people this agency serves. I know firsthand the potential challenges and successes our APD customers may face because I have a family member with a developmental disability."

"As director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, I am committed to stronger accountability and communication with all of our internal and external stakeholders, with the focus always being on the people we serve."

About APD

Agency for Persons with Disabilities currently serves about 35,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities of mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information on the agency, call 1-866-APD-CARES or visit www.apdcares.org