Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

Most services provided to persons with developmental disabilities through the Agency forPersons with Disabilities are funded through the Developmental Services Home & CommunityBased Services Waiver. Under both the DS/HCBS waiver and the FSL waiver, individuals canlive within their local communities and are able to choose their support coordinators, as wellas the providers for each of their needed services.Each waiver as well as specific provider qualifications and limitations are fully defined in theWaiver Services Directory. Both the DS/HCBS and FSL waiver have a directory. You can obtaina copy from your local Agency for Persons with Disabilities office or access it from the Internetat http://apd.myflorida.com.The Consumer-Directed Care Plus Waiver and the Florida Freedom Initiative are available to alimited number of people at this time. Hopefully they will be available to more people oncethe federal government gives the state of Florida approval to expand the programs. The diversityof funding types has grown significantly over the last several years. Consumers and theirfamily members should check the Agency’s website or review the Agency’s Yellow Notebookto determine what’s currently available.There may also be other services available through alternative funding sources or additionalprograms from other state agencies and departments.Examples of other supports include:• Natural supports through family and friends,• Community supports such as church programs,• Other State and Federal programs such as Medicaid State Plan services.For further information, including information about enrollment requirements for any of theseservices, contact your local office of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.CHAMPS – CITIZEN MONITORINGThe intent of the CHAMPS program, “Citizens Helping to Assess, Maintain and Provide Supports”,is to provide a feedback mechanism for people who receive services from the Agencyfor Persons with Disabilities and their family, friends, acquaintances or others. It is designedto aid the Agency, self-advocates, advocate groups, family members, providers, and volunteersto collaborate in partnership to enhance a person-centered quality of life. It establishes a formalcommunication link between recipients of services, their families and advocates and theAgency for Persons with Disabilities. The program ensures that individuals with developmentaldisabilities, family members and citizens in the community have an opportunity to expressconcerns, compliments, promote effective practices, or make suggestions in improving qualityof care for those receiving services. CHAMPS is not intended to replace the Florida Abuse Hotline.For more information on this program you can call toll free at 1-800-470-8101 or emailwww.CHAMPS@dcf.state.fl.us20Chapter 4, Understanding Florida’s Social Service System