Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

CHAPTER FOURUnderstanding Florida’sSocial Service Systemfor Individuals withDevelopmental DisabilitiesChapter 393, Florida Statutes, is the enabling legislation authorizing services that may beprovided to persons with developmental disabilities. These services are administered bythe newly formed Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The Agency for Persons with Disabilitiesis the primary source of state funded services for persons with developmental disabilities. Weencourage you to read and become familiar with Chapter 393.The state is currently divided into geographic areas, with 14 offices located around the state.The current configuration of these areas may change due to the new agency’s formation duringthe 2004 legislative session (check your local phone book or the Agency’s website for updatedinformation). This program is funded to provide a comprehensive range of services and allowsseveral options for how services may be obtained. Services may be provided to persons threeyears of age or older with a diagnosis of retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, or Prader-Willisyndrome. Children who are ages four and five who are at high risk for a developmentaldisability are also eligible for the program, but in order to keep receiving services after age five,the person must have a specific diagnosis of one of the disabilities listed above. Children withspecial needs who are birth to age three are served by Children’s Medical Services in the Departmentof Health. Additional eligibility requirements must be met for some services.APPLICATION FOR SERVICESFor an individual to become a consumer of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, a writtenapplication must be completed. This application for services may be initiated by a phone callfrom the person needing service, by a parent or guardian, or by visiting a local Agency for Personswith Disabilities Office. The offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The application process, called intake, is conducted by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.Basic information such as name, address, nature of the disability and service needs arerecorded.Chapter 4, Understanding Florida’s Social Service System17