The Future of Developmental Services in Florida:
A Comprehensive Plan for Floridians with Developmental Disabilities

Florida's Developmental Disabilities Services System Facing Changes

Changes in state and federal laws and regulations and a growing number of judicial decisions in state and federal courts have prompted the need to redefine Florida's public policy, funding, and system of supports for persons with developmental disabilities. As recently as last month, a federal judge held the State of Florida in contempt of court for deliberately withholding services from the developmentally disabled and is fining the state $10,000 a day until it meets its obligations. The ruling came despite Governor Jeb Bush's touted plan to improve services, which got $100 million in funding from the Legislature earlier this year. According to the November 3, 1999 issue of the Miami Herald, Florida ranks at the bottom of the nation for funding for services for the developmentally disabled. There are now 23,000 people waiting for services ranging from institutional beds to physical therapy. State officials estimate it will take $218 million to care for everyone.

The Future of Developmental Services in Florida, a report developed by a broad coalition of developmental disabilities services stakeholders--consumers, providers, advocates, and government officials, proposes that new state resources of $150 million with the potential to match up to $180 million in federal funds, be appropriated over the next five years. Further, the plan proposes strategies to reinvest current resources to support a more equitable distribution of funds. Among the report's recommendations for system change are:

• Central admissions and discharges to institutions and ICF/DD facilities
• Cost estimation methodology
• Rate increases and competency-based training for direct care staff
• Revised rate plan for ICF/DD facilities
• Changes to the State's information/data system
• Improved individualized monitoring plan.

For more information, contact Carolyn Lenczyk, Planning Director, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc., 124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 01-2981, 850-488-4180, fax: 850-922-6702, e-mail: fddc@fddc.org, Web site: http://www.fddc.org.

The complete text of this report is available in Microsoft Word format. To view the report follow the link provided:

The Future of Developmental Services in Florida

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