The primary mission of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is to promote innovative programs and practices designed to prevent developmental disabilities and improve the quality of life of individuals with such disabilities and their families.

The Council, a non-profit organization that receives its funding from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Developmental Disabilities, was founded in 1971 and operates independently of any agency or department of state.

The Council offers funding opportunities for public and private sector agencies, direct care providers and other interested individuals to conduct training and conferences that enhance the quality of life of families and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Also, ITNs and RFPs are released to award grants for projects that meet Council Goals.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council encourages and advocates opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families, to enhance their quality of life within their communities.

The Council will accomplish its mission by supporting innovative initiatives that demonstrate new approaches to enhance the independence, productivity, inclusion and self-determination of individuals with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.

NUMBER of PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN FLORIDA:

Estimated to be 249,026.

NUMBER of COUNCIL MEMBERS:

FDDC is comprised of 29 members who are appointed by the Governor to represent consumers, family members, agency staff and interested individuals.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Council should contact the Council’s Office or the Office of the Governor, Appointments Director, The Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001.

Applications are also available online at www.fddc.org.

NUMBER of STAFF:16

STANDING TASK FORCES:

The Council has four (4) standing Task Forces:

• Child Development & Education
• Community Living & Service Coordination
• Employment
• Health Care & Prevention

FREQUENCY of MEETINGS:

The Council meets four times per year; the Task Forces each meet on a quarterly basis.

2005 FEDERAL ALLOTMENT:

The Council is entirely federally funded. Funding is based on a federal formula. The Council's 2005 federal allotment is $3,612,042.

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2004 COUNCIL PROJECTS:

• Health Care/Prevention Task Force

Dental Project

The main focus of this project was to develop and test a model to recruit licensed oral health professionals to become Medicaid Waiver providers, provide clinical and sensitivity training and develop a networks in communities around Florida.

 

This project was very successful because we were able to obtain the support of state agencies, the Florida Dental Association, The Florida Hygiene Association and partner with the two dental schools in Florida. In the first year, through this project we recruited approximately 110 oral health professionals and served over 100 individuals with developmental disabilities. To build on this success we are continuing to train and recruit and will serve over 1000 individuals this year and increase our recruitment of oral health professionals statewide. Through information and education, we continue to increase our network and provide much needed services to hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities in Florida.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Initially our project on Autism Spectrum Disorders focused on researching best practice methods, needs of this population, links and gaps in services and successful models of care nationwide. From this research, we developed a system of care and an action plan for the services needed by both children and adults with Autism. The project was a partnership of consumers, parents, health care professionals and researchers experienced in providing services to this population.

 

In 2005, we are focusing on implementing the recommendations and action plan made by the workgroups that participated in the initial project. These workgroups recommended the following: 1) development of education/awareness products, which increase the knowledge and skills of community health providers in identifying “red flags” of toddlers/young children at-risk of having Autism Spectrum Disorder such as; reference guide, brochures, pamphlets, and posters which identify these “red flags” and the appropriate screening instruments that need to be used. 2) Increasing awareness of mental health needs of adult individuals who are dual diagnosis with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and a mental health disability. 3) Provide training and technical assistance to produce the following products; training modules, and a web-based statewide physician referral network. The training modules will be used in face-to-face training and will be made available through videotapes, CD, and web-based interactive training.

 

This is a very comprehensive project and we are continuing to build on the success of year 1, to insure that children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder receive the quality health care that they deserve.

 

Achieving the American Dream Workgroup/Blue Ribbon Task Force

Initially the AADW was established by our Council members to focus on prioritizing the critical issues that affect individuals with disabilities and to make recommendations for action to the state developmental disabilities agency.

 

As the result of this workgroup and the hard work of one of our Council members, the Governor promulgated an executive order and appointed a Blue Ribbon Task Force to make recommendations on three critical issues; transition, inclusive community living and employment of persons with developmental disabilities. Through this process, we were able to provide input into the establishment of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities under the Governor’s Office.

 

The work of the Blue Ribbon Task Force produced numerous recommendations for action and initiated the development of an interagency group to work, implement and facilitate the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force.

 

 

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• Employment

Assessing Florida’s Ability to Support Self-Determination

In collaboration with the Center for Self Determination, multiple stakeholders came together to analyze Florida’s system of supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and provide a series of recommendations designed to create a blueprint for the implementation of self-determination in Florida. Key systems components reviewed in this analysis are quality assurance, housing, transition, supported employment, transportation, and Medicaid waivers. This project has spurred the Florida Freedom Initiative which is a three year demonstration project aimed at promoting the concept of consumer-directed care. The initiative will include statewide “train the trainer“ sessions for self advocates, families and support consultants to teach the principles of self determination and consumer-directed support to other individuals with developmental disabilities. It is intended to increase individuals with developmental disabilities control of public funds for long-term support needs, and promote employment, home ownership, and financial independence without jeopardizing their eligibility for by Medicaid and Social Security Income benefits.

 

Joint Training of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Support Coordinators on Supported Employment

This project included the development of a curriculum that provides needed information to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Support Coordinators on supported employment, Social Security work incentives, and the roles of each service provider pertaining to successful employment outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Eighty-four providers were training during the field test trainings that utilized the curriculum. The curriculum was also presented and evaluated in two university level classes. Recommendations for statewide implementation through a train the trainer approach were presented.

 

Financing Supported Employment

Major stakeholders collaborated to research how supported employment is being funded in Florida and make recommendations to increase opportunities for employment for individuals with developmental disabilities. The result was the publication entitled “Employment is Job One”. Specific recommendations include the areas of new funding, improved service delivery, focus on training at all levels, building the capacity of direct service organizations, and interagency cooperation, coordination and collaboration.

 

Innovative Employment Project

This project began with research on supported employment funding strategies and non-traditional employment supports in other states to identify “best practice” models. From these models evolved four pilot projects to experiment with innovative employment supports that are based on the tenants of self-determination. The pilot sites, now entitled “Business Leadership Networks (BLNs)”, were developed in an urban county, a rural county, and two suburban counties. The main purpose of these BLNs is to bring businesses together to increase employer awareness of the benefits of hiring individuals with developmental disabilities and to promote hiring practices that enable qualified individuals with disabilities to enter and succeed in the workplace.

 

 

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• Community Living & Service Coordination

Partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition

FDDC continued its partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition to provide information to consumers and family members about affordable housing options in their communities. Eight specifically designed workshops on this topic were conducted by the Florida Housing Coalition on behalf of the Council. Approximately, three hundred and ninety (390) people were educated during these workshops throughout the state. Participants received information about affordable rental options, an overview of the process for purchasing homes, and an overview of the process involved in qualifying for accessibility modifications and repair assistance.

 

A Guide to Supported Living in Florida

The Council worked with the Developmental Disabilities Program Office in order to revise and publish a training curriculum entitled “A Guide to Supported Living in Florida”. Revisions to the original curriculum were made in an effort to make the information easier for consumers and family members to understand. The curriculum was published along with a Trainer’s Manual and a Resource Guide. Approximately, two thousand (2,000) copies of the Guide and four hundred copies of the Trainers Manual were printed and distributed statewide.

 

Partnership with the Florida Coalition against Sexual Violence

The Council developed a partnership with the Florida Coalition against Sexual Violence to conduct five (5) cross training workshops throughout the state for sexual violence professionals and developmental disabilities professionals. Participants working in the disabilities field received eight hours of training on sexual violence identification and prevention techniques. Individuals in the sexual violence prevention field received training on the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

 

Approximately, two hundred (200) people were trained during these five (5) workshops.

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• Child Development and Education

Restructuring Schools

The restructuring schools project provided training and technical support to 19 schools in HernandoCounty on inclusive practices. 17 Schools in HernandoCounty are continuing to use inclusive practices at some level in their school.

 

“You Make a Difference” Awards

The “You Make a Difference” project developed an event to recognize those outstanding individuals that practice inclusion in their educational setting. The award recognized 20 individuals and teams that provide inclusion settings for all the children in their classrooms and focus on the ABILITIES of all children. The event was held in Tallahassee at the University Club in July 2004 and was a tremendous success.

 

In 2005, 102 teachers, administrators and other educators were awarded the “You Make a Difference Award at the 2005 Just Read, Florida Conference.

 

Social Inclusion Project

The SIP project trained 70 general education teachers in 6 schools about including students with developmental disabilities in extra-curricular activities in middle and high schools. The program also provided additional training to 195 students without disabilities, 31 students with disabilities, and 236 parents on how to work together in a social setting.

 

Florida Low Incidence Personnel Preparation

The FLIPP Project was successful in developing graduate course curriculum that was accepted by the Florida Department of Education for the Moderate to Severe Disabilities Endorsement for ESE teachers. The classes were provided via distance education technology for students at FloridaStateUniversity and the University of Florida.

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EXAMPLES OF SIGNIFICANT LONG TERM ACHIEVEMENTS

In Employment:

• A FY 2003 project that is being funded by the Council is the Hiring Practices Initiative. The focus of the project is to increase the employment of persons with disabilities within school districts in Florida by collecting baseline and on-going data on school hiring practices, increasing the awareness about hiring individuals with disabilities, and facilitating systems change through the identification of needed policy changes. 

Outcome: Currently, nine school districts have joined the initiative and five more districts are in the process of joining. Our goal is to have a minimum of 14 school districts on board by the end of 2004.

 

• In FY 2002, the Council funded a project to assess Florida's ability to support self-determination. The goal of the project was to analyze the current service delivery system and report on other models and current best practices in implementing self-determination. 

Outcome: A report entitled the Blueprint for Self-Determination was developed during this project. The recommendations in the report helped to inspire the Florida Freedom Initiative. This is a demonstration project that the Developmental Disabilities Program is implementing to give individuals with developmental disabilities more informed choice and the ability to save toward purchasing a home, retirement, etc. without losing needed healthcare benefits.

• The Florida Website on Transition for Youth with Disabilities is a FY 2004 project that is being funded by the Council. The goal of the project is to develop a website to provide needed information for Florida students with disabilities and their families so that they may become aware of effective practices, learn about laws, policies and issues, receive training and develop other needed skills to participate more meaningfully in the decisions and planning for exiting the public school system. The project incorporates a Youth and Family Advisory Committee to ensure that it contains comprehensive information and that the site is user friendly. The website is scheduled to be available by the end of 2005. 

In Advocacy and Public Policy

 

• Passage of HB 1823 creating new Agency for Persons with Disabilities and new statutory provisions addressing sexual misconduct by direct service providers upon persons with developmental disabilities
  
• Governor signed Executive Order 04-62 on April 1st creating the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Inclusive Community Living, Transition, and Employment of Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
  
• Legislature approved expansion of the Supported Living Waiver and appropriated an additional $48-million to serve an additional 2000 individuals currently on the wait list.

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In Child Development & Education:

• Restructuring Schools: The final result of this project was the development of a tool to evaluate how well a school district and schools are participating in inclusion. The tool, Best Practices for Inclusive Education, focuses on each program’s strengths and offers specific, supportive ways to increase inclusive practices at the district and school level.
• You Make a Difference: This project developed an award to recognize teachers that use inclusive practices in their classrooms on a day to day basis. These Inclusion success Stories show other administrators and teachers how inclusion benefits all children and can strengthen educational and social programs.

• Social Inclusion Program: The SIP program is assisting schools in developing social activities that include students with developmental disabilities. Students are coming together to form long lasting friendships and relationships that are assisting them in learning about real world situations.

In Health Care & Prevention:

• Dental Project –The main focus of this project was to develop and test a model to recruit licensed oral health professionals to become Medicaid Waiver providers, provide clinical and sensitivity training and develop a networks in communities around Florida. This project was successful because we obtained the support of state agencies, the Florida Dental Association and others. Through this project we built a recruitment model of approximately 110 oral health professionals and served over 100 individuals with developmental disabilities. To build on this success we are continuing to train and recruit and will serve over 1000 individuals this year.
  
• Autism -- Initially we focused on researching best practice methods, needs of this population, links and gaps in services and successful models of care nationwide. From this research, a system of care and an action plan for individuals with autism throughout the entire age range was developed. The project was a partnership of consumers, parents, professionals working in the field and researchers throughout the state of Florida.

This year, we are focusing on implementing the recommendations to the Council in the prioritized action plan which includes the development of products, training and technical assistance in the following areas: a) increasing awareness and skills of community health providers in identifying “red flags” of toddlers/young children at-risk of having autism spectrum disorders; and b) increasing awareness of mental health needs of adult individuals having a dual diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and a mental health disability.

• Achieving the American Dream Workgroup – This workgroup was established to focus on critical issues that affect individuals with disabilities and to make recommendations for action to the state developmental disabilities agency during these difficult funding times. The result was Executive Order 04-62 and passage of HB 1823, creating the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

 

• In Community Living & Service Coordination:

• Building Capacity for Affordable Housing -- During fiscal year 2003-2004, FDDC continued to provide support to Grove House of Jacksonville, Inc., a not-for-profit agency which specializes in finding affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities. Grove House operates by purchasing single family homes and renting them at affordable rates it to income-eligible individuals with developmental disabilities.

To date, more than forty individuals with developmental disabilities in the Jacksonville, Florida area have affordable homes under this program.

• The Southern Movement for Independence, Inc. -- FDDC provides monetary support to The Southern Movement for Independence, Inc. (SMI). This is a non-profit organization run by and for persons with developmental disabilities that is dedicated to promoting the self-determination of individuals with developmental disabilities.

During FY 2003-2004, the 11 member board of directors addressed several issues to strengthen their organization. They made several modifications to their organizational by-laws, elected organizational officers, established criteria for recruitment of new members, and elected three new board members to meet the boards rotation policy, established hiring and recruitment policy for hiring of an executive director, and provided technical assistance to several local chapters.

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COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council has had an outstanding collaborative relationship with the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, a University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (U.C.E.D.D.), as well as with The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities Inc., a non-profit organization providing protection and advocacy services in the State of Florida whose mission is to advance the dignity, equality, self-determination and expressed choices of individuals with disabilities.

For more information, please click on this link to visit the Council’s web site:

www.fddc.org

To Download the 2005 FDDC Informational Brochure click here:

http://www.fddc.org/home/Announcements/FDDC%20Brochure%202005.pdf

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