Melissa Hurst

The long-range program plan for the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities focuses on supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in living, learning, and working within their communities. Key goals include improving the quality of life for individuals in both community-based settings and developmental services institutions, increasing employment opportunities, and reducing reliance on public institutions. The plan outlines strategies such as the Five Year Employment Initiative, emphasis on supported living, and the Zero Tolerance Initiative to address abuse and neglect. It also aims to enhance the quality of services through an outcome-based service delivery system and reduce the waitlist for Medicaid waiver services.

The Long Range Program Plan for the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities by promoting community-based residential placements, services, and treatments, as well as ensuring a safe environment and competency restoration in developmental disabilities institutions. Key goals include increasing employment in integrated settings, expanding community living options, reducing reliance on public institutions, and prioritizing the enrollment of individuals from the waitlist into Medicaid waiver programs. The plan also emphasizes strengthening families through person-centered supports, implementing a zero-tolerance initiative against abuse and neglect, and transitioning towards an outcome-based service delivery system to enhance consumer choice and control over services.

The rule hearing is regarding Florida Administrative Code 65G-14, focusing on qualified organizations and waiver support coordination. The purpose of the proposed rules is to implement statutory changes adopted by Chapter 2020-71 laws of Florida. The agency is seeking input on these rules, particularly suggested changes to the language and proposed solutions to any perceived issues. The agency has already received a substantial number of comments from two prior workshops and revisions have been made based on these comments.

The hearing was held to gather public commentary and input on the notice of change regarding rules 65g-14.001 and 002, which concern qualified organizations and waiver support coordination. The purpose of these rule revisions is to implement a portion of the recent statutory changes adopted by chapter 2020-71 laws of Florida. The agency is interested in input on the rules that will implement the agency's statutory requirements in a way that meets the needs of clients and providers.

This hearing focused on proposed rule language to implement statutory changes from chapter 2020-71, Laws of Florida. The agency sought public comment on the proposed rules, specifically regarding concerns and suggested solutions. Discussion included definitions, algorithm allocation procedures, general provisions, and client disenrollment conditions. Specific topics covered were employment and transportation in the definition of services, notification procedures for algorithm results, clarification of "statewide" in service availability, the definition of "total physical assistance," and the handling of incomplete service requests and emergency situations.