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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 15, 2013
  CONTACT: Melanie Mowry Etters
Communication Director
850-414-7551

Workshop on APD Waiting list

TALLAHASSEE—The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) will host a workshop on February 18 in Tallahassee to discuss the waiting list prioritization for individuals who are waiting to receive Home and Community-Based Services through the APD Medicaid waiver.

The meeting will take place at 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 4, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Free parking is available. APD Director Barbara Palmer will kick off the meeting and lead the discussion.

For the first time in eight years, Governor Rick Scott is recommending $36 million to serve people on the APD waiver waiting list as part of his Florida Families First budget. If the funding is approved by the Legislature, the agency wants to be able to enroll the new individuals on July 1 when the funding becomes available.

This workshop is to discuss and develop possible criteria to help the agency enroll those most in need of services with the money available. There will be input and suggestions on the prioritization of the seven waiting list categories as defined in the Florida Statute s. 393.065(5). Attendees will breakup into workgroups to develop recommendations for factors that should be considered. The public is encouraged to attend.

Those who are unable to attend may send their thoughts and suggestions on the waiting list to Deputy Director of Programs Denise Arnold, 4030 Esplanade Way, Suite 380, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org or call toll-free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).