Download PDF. - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

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“To advocate and promote meaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities. “ 

Mission of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council 

2011 Council Members 

Reneé Valletutti - Brevard County - Chair 

Kathy McAllister - Sarasota County -Vice-Chair 

Susan Gold, Ed.D. – The Mailman Center-- Treasurer 

Rixys Alfonso – Broward County 

Pat Archer – Palm Beach County 

Ronni Bianco - Miami-Dade County – Member-at-Large 

Michele Polland– Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Ed. & Student Services 

Mike Hansen – Agency for Persons with Disabilities 

Sylvia James-Miller – Marion County 

Susan Kabot, Ed.D. – Sarasota County 

Shirley Kervin - Department of Elder Affairs –Community and Support Services 

Beth Kidder - Agency for Health Care Administration - Medicaid Program Development 

George King – St. Lucie County - Member-at-Large 

Kathy Leigh – Bradford County 

Aleisa McKinlay - Department of Education -Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 

Barbara Moss – Broward County 

David Ott, Ph.D. – Seminole County – Member-at-Large 

Susan Redmon - Gadsden County - Member-at-Large 

Tricia Riccardi – Osceola County 

Sara Romine – Polk County 

Vacant - Department of Health - Children's Medical Services 

Ann Smith - Santa Rosa County 

Michael Smith - Escambia County 

Casey Stewart - Broward County 

Robert Whitney –Disability Rights Florida 

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April 2012 

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Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. 

124 Marriott Dr., Suite 203 

Tallahassee, FL 32301-2981 

Phone: (850) 488-4180 TDD Toll Free: (888) 488-8633 

Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 

E-Mail: admin@fddc.org www.fddc.org 

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Child Care/Education 

Early Education 

The Council’s Pinellas Inclusion in Early Care in Education (PIECE) project has supported over fifty children in two counties, who are 

suspected of having a disability, to remain in consistent inclusive early childcare settings and receive the early screening and evaluation 

to determine if they need more supports and services to be successful in school. Each year the coalition increases the number of 

child care centers participating in the project. 

Attendees at the February 2011 PIECE training in Clearwater, Florida 

Books 

The Council provided 6,400 books 

on disability awareness to public and 

private pre-k through high school 

classes so teachers had high-quality 

literature available to teach all students 

about the importance of including 

students with disabilities 

not only in the classroom but in all 

aspects of community life. 

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May 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Community Living /Service Coordination 

Guardianship, Guardian Advocacy, and Other Decision-Making Alternatives 

In 2011, the Council partnered with the Office of Public Guardian, Inc., the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Guardian Pooled 

Trust, and the Statewide Public Guardianship Office to present a series of statewide workshops -”Lighting the Way to Guardianship 

and Other Decision-Making Alternatives”. 

These workshops, offered to attorneys, judges and other legal professionals, as well as self-advocates, families and caregivers, explained 

alternatives to guardianship for individuals with developmental disabilities and provided information and training on the 

protection of legal rights of individuals with developmental disabilities. 

As a result of Council efforts, attorneys in Florida who participated in this 

training program received continuing legal education credits and now are 

more prepared to discuss alternatives to full guardianship with individuals 

with developmental disabilities and their families. In addition, family participants 

of this program now are more aware of the various options to full 

guardianship. 

In addition, current Florida Supreme Court Justice Fred Lewis reviewed the 

materials and provided endorsement of this project through a video message 

for attorneys who attended the training sessions. The video was a 

powerful endorsement of the project and as a result, was shown to all 321 

workshop participants. 

(Back Row, L- R) Vicki Simmons, Natalie Seay, The Honorable 

Fred R. Lewis , Karen Campbell, Esq., Trans Finch, Esq., Melinda 

Coulter (Agency for Persons with Disabilities), Susan Dunbar 

(Parent Advocate) ; (Front Row L- R) - Deborah Scull (Self- 

Advocate), Phoebe Ball, Esq., Disability Rights Florida 

It is anticipated that over time this project will foster the reduction of the 

numbers of individuals with developmental disabilities who have their legal 

rights removed. 

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June 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Employment 

Project Search 

A Project Search intern with a city road 

crew helps with surveying. 

The Council’s new Project Search site in Southeast Florida was a huge success. Project 

Search, which partners with local businesses and community groups to provide training 

and employment opportunities to students with disabilities, has been operating in Florida 

since 2008. This most recent collaborative effort brought together a local hospital, 

the local school district, and other community groups. The year began with 12 students 

enrolled in the program. Three students were hired in the first rotation at the hospital, 

three were hired in the second rotation and two more were hired by community 

businesses by the end of the school year. All of the jobs came as a result of the knowledge, 

experience, and support that the students received during their involvement with 

Project Search. 

Benefits Training and Asset Development 

Another employment initiative is Benefits Training, which is the systematic utilization of Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare and other 

benefits to facilitate employment. For example Medicaid/Medicare includes a number of work incentives that will allow an individual to 

work while maintaining benefits and allow for a gradual reduction in benefits as the person expands his/her employment experience. 

While these benefits can be very valuable to the potential employee, they tend to be rather confusing, intimidating and mysterious. 

Benefits Training takes away the confusion and mystery and helps the employee understand and utilize these benefits. 

Asset Development trains individuals to develop assets and accumulate resources to maximize financial independence. This initiative includes 

information on how to open and use a checking account as well as how to purchase a home, utilizing both public and private resources. 

As part of these initiatives, two pilot trainings were held to test the curriculum, which is also available in an on-line version. These trainings 

included information on the changes in Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare rules. An Asset Development Summit for persons 

with disabilities was held with 53 self-advocates attending. The results of the Summit reinforced the need for reliable and trusted information 

on public benefits, the loss of benefits, and parent training on asset building. As a result of this initiative over 250 individuals received 

training on asset development and benefits planning. 

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July 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Health and Prevention Initiatives 

Florida Fights FASD 

In Florida, an estimated 2,040 babies are born each year with developmental disabilities that can be attributed to prenatal alcohol exposure. 

The Council developed the Florida Fights FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) campaign to promote the message in local communities that no 

amount of alcohol during pregnancy is safe. The campaign’s messages are spread through its website - http://fasd-fl.org - and by its torchbearers 

using a toolkit that contains handouts, presentations, and social media messaging. Florida Fights FASD is now supported by another agency that continues 

to promote its important messages. 

Early Steps Sustainability 

In 2011, the Council created the “Save Early Steps” campaign to inform policymakers and the public about the critical funding shortage that Early 

Steps was facing. Advocates for Early Steps joined forces to inform legislators about the importance of the services Early Steps provides by using 

videos, a legislative packet, and social media. These efforts contributed to legislators allocating the needed $7.8 million to allow Early Steps to 

continue in Florida. 

Health and Wellness 

The Gulfstream Goodwill “Fit Club” and ‘Connect for Health’ are two Council initiatives 

where individuals with developmental disabilities participated in activities designed 

to teach health awareness and exercise skills in order to reduce secondary 

health conditions. 

Over 100 individuals participated in both programs and 66% of the “Fit Club” participants 

showed improvement in weight, BMI, and/or blood pressure. 

These programs emphasized the importance of exercise and physical activity as 

ways to gain and maintain good health as well as the benefit of having peers to 

support you. 

Members of a South Florida Fit Club attend a 

Yoga Festival. 

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August 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Self-Advocacy Leadership 

Partners in Policymaking (PIP) 

This leadership and advocacy training program graduated 23 advocates in 

November, 2011, including one self-advocate and 22 family members. PIP 

is sponsored by the Council and teaches self-advocates and family members 

how to become community leaders and obtain the best available services 

for themselves and others. PIP graduates participate in many Council 

activities, including conducting workshops at state-wide conferences for 

individuals with disabilities and their families, developing grassroots advocacy 

organizations and setting up programs in their communities that benefit 

the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Youth Leadership Forum 

The Able Trust, in partnership with the Council and other public and private sponsors, 

brought together 50 high school students who participated in four days of leadership 

training during the 2011 Youth Leadership Forum. This is an annual conference 

for high school juniors and seniors with a variety of disabilities. Attendees 

learned about community and academic resources, disability history, career options 

and personal leadership. Students also had plenty of time to socialize, which allows 

them to network and learn from each other and build friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Florida Self-Advocates Network’D (FL SAND) 

As part of the effort to promote the development of self-determination for individuals with 

developmental disabilities, the Council initiated Florida Self-Advocates Network’D 

(FL SAND), a program led by self-advocates. The statewide program is currently comprised 

of 12 local self-advocacy groups supported by advisors. Local groups meet monthly to plan 

and implement advocacy programs, social activities and fundraising initiatives. They are 

taught to lead their own groups, and transition to adult responsibilities in work, daily living 

skills, social skills and post-secondary education experiences. 

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September 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Legislative Advocacy 

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 

In March, 2011, the Council and The Arc of Florida co-sponsored Developmental Disabilities 

Awareness Day in Tallahassee. Over 900 individuals attended the rally and 

press conference, where some were interviewed by the media. Later, self-advocates, 

their families and friends met with legislators to discuss issues affecting individuals 

with developmental disabilities. Important public policy issues addressed during 2011 

included the Developmental Disabilities Waiver budget and service reductions, Early 

Steps funding, and restraint and seclusion. The Council sent out eight Capitol Updates 

and two legislative bulletins. 

AFIRE of Pasco County, Inc., meets with 

Senator Mike Fasano during 

Consortium 

During 2011, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council brought together self 

-advocates, representatives of state agencies, associations, advocacy groups, 

providers, and family members to share their legislative priorities and work together 

on common legislative issues and goals. A collaboration with Disabilities 

Rights Florida, (formerly the Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities), and 

others, resulted in a law being passed to ensure that Florida’s schools report 

instances of restraint and seclusion, and provide better training to anyone likely 

to use these techniques in the schools. 

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October 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Communications 

Council members and staff attended conferences, workshops and social events to help raise public awareness of the work of the Council. 

During 2011, the Council presented information at 22 events , including staffing exhibit tables and making presentations at conferences, 

workshops and community events. 

During 2011, the Council produced a 30-second Public 

Service Announcement on Inclusion. 

At left, the director of the project confers with one 

of the actors . All the actors are individuals with developmental 

disabilities. To view the PSA, go to 

www.fddc.org/news/promoting-inclusion. 

During 2011, the Council reached 5,476,903 members of the general public through Council education, public awareness and media initiatives 

via print and electronic media outlets. The Council website, list serve and Facebook page reached 1,661,509 inviduals with information 

on the work of the Council, including legislative activity and other issues of interest to the developmentally disabled community. 

The Council website lists dozens of publications and links to other websites where interested persons can learn more about 

developmental disabilities. 

Over 969,306 individuals visited the Council’s website and the FYITransition website, developed though a Council initiative. In response to 

written and telephonic requests, Council staff distributed over 64,356 copies of various Council publications. Publications were also distributed 

at conferences and other events. 

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November 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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“No More Cuts” Rally 

On April 1, 2011, Governor Rick Scott ordered a 15% rate cut to Florida‘s Medicaid providers in an attempt to balance the budget at 

the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. On April 6, over 500 individuals marched on Tallahassee and held a press conference to protest 

the cuts. On April 14, the Governor rescinded the 15% rate cut and vowed to work with lawmakers to help balance the APD 

budget. 

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world. 

In fact, it is the only way it ever has.” 

Margaret Mead 

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December 2012 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day 2011 

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January 2013 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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2011 Budget 

Expenditures Based on Areas of Emphasis 

Employment $557,755 

Education and Early Intervention $453,094 

Housing $37,405 

Health $711,105 

Child Care $162,689 

Recreation $29,092 

Quality Assurance $812,841 

Formal/Informal Community Support $187,087 

General Management $775,642 

Total $3,726,710 

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February 2013 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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Council Representation in Other Organizations 

Alliance for Full Participation 

Florida Association of Persons in Supported Employment 

National Association of Persons in Supported Employment 

Expanding Opportunities Workshop 

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology 

Florida Center for Inclusive Communities Community Advisory Committee 

Florida Task Force on Educational Enhancement 

Florida’s Race to the Top Workshop Group 

Governor’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities Work Group 

iBudget Stakeholder Group 

Local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADARC) Transition Workgroup 

United Way of Florida—Children’s Week 

The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service Inclusion Council 

Quality Care Task Force 

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March 2013 


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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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FDDC Staff 2011 

FDDC Staff 

Debra Dowds - Executive Director 

Holly Hohmeister - Program Manager - Health 

Vanda Bowman - Staff Assistant 

Margaret Hooper - Public Policy Coordinator 

Mike Capps - Program Manager - Employment 

April Katine - Program Manager - Education 

Rose Coster - Communication Coordinator 

Cindy Tan - Special Projects Manager 

Allison Cruz - Deputy Director of Programs 

Lisa Taylor - Chief Financial Officer 

Misty Grimm - Finance Assistant 

Carolyn Williams - Records Management and Compliance Assistant 

Dennie Hill - Program Manager - Self-Advocacy Leadership Latarsha Williams - Program Manager - Community Living 

Janina Wilson - Receptionist 

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Toll Free: (800) 580-7801 Fax: (850) 922-6702 


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