Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

identifies the services and supports (generic and paid) needed to meet identified individualizedneeds. It will be developed by the individual with the disability, the support coordinator andthose identified by the individual whom they wish to participate including family, friends andproviders of services, just to mention a few.The support coordinator may need to obtain a great deal of information to supplement thatalready given. There will probably be several times when it will be necessary to meet together.This is often done in the home, but could be done in the office if you prefer.All of the information provided will be written into the support plan. This is a plan for one year.It states goals that have been set, and describes the supports and services that will be necessaryto reach these goals. This planning will take into account the personal outcomes desired. Whenthis plan is completed, the cost of requested services will be calculated and submitted as thecost plan to the staff of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for approval.After the cost plan is approved, the support coordinator will provide you with a copy of bothyour support plan and approved cost plan so you can interview and select providers to deliveryour services. There may be a waiting period, and sometimes exactly what had been requestedmight not be available. In such instances, the support coordinator may identify available alternativesfor consideration.There is a wide range of services funded from a number of sources, both state and federal, availablethrough the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Do not hesitate to identify whateverservices your family member needs or desires. Funding could be available from various sourcesand in unique ways.If a person needs some where to live, this request should be made to the support coordinatorwho will make any necessary revisions to the support plan, and help find the most appropriateand least restrictive place that can meet the needs of the individual.The support plan may be revised at any time, but must be reviewed and updated at least annually.When individual needs change the support coordinator should always be contactedimmediately.The support coordinator will also know of other federal, state and local agencies that provideservices to the general community as well as to elderly persons or those with other disabilities.Thus, the support coordinator may be able to help you combine services from several agenciesto meet the specialized needs of various family members if this is necessary to maintain a homefor the family member with a disability.For the most current information about supports and services available through the Agency forPersons with Disabilities you should go to their website (www.apd.myflorida.com) or, if youare already a client, refer to your Yellow Notebook (Navigating the DD Program: You’re theDriver!).SUPPORTS FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESThere are currently two primary funding sources available through the Agency for Persons withDisabilities. They are:• The Developmental Services Home and Community-Based Services Waiver(DS/HCBS Waiver), and;• The Family and Supported Living Waiver (FSL Waiver)Chapter 4, Understanding Florida’s Social Service System19