January 22, 2010

Report to the Legislature on the Agency's Plan for Implementing Individual Budgeting "iBudget Florida"

The Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is developing a proposal for individual consumer budgeting, referred to as "iBudget," for consideration in the upcoming legislative session. By February 1, 2009, APD will submit the "iBudget," proposal to the Florida Legislature. The goal is to more closely link service funding with the individual's need.

The iBudget concept relies on a computerized algorithm to evaluate the needs of each person based on a wide variety of factors ranging from their age to their ability to clean themselves. The program would calculate a customized budget. Families would have much more control over how to use the funds to secure services than they do in the current service tier system. The agency held forums on iBudget from October 2009 through January 7, 2010. If approved during the spring 2010 legislative session, iBudget could take effect statewide in 2011.