Florida ARF Recognizes Autism Acceptance Month
Tallahassee, FL (April 1, 2025) During Autism Acceptance Month, we celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States. New data from the CDC reveals that 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism, up from 1 in 125 two decades ago. Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the individual’s ability to interact, communicate, and socialize, has not one but many subtypes. Every individual on the Autism spectrum brings their own unique strengths, talents, and perspectives to the world, and deserves to feel understood, accepted, and valued. Autism Acceptance Month emphasizes the need for public awareness to recognize the importance of supporting, understanding, accepting, including, and empowering people on the autism spectrum in our community and workplaces.
In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, Florida ARF honors the contribution of Floridians on the autism spectrum in our state. We join other organizations in recognizing the needs of people on the spectrum to lead full and successful lives. The Association understands the need to foster awareness and acceptance to ignite change and improved opportunities for people with autism. Join us as we raise awareness to promote autism acceptance, celebrate neurodiversity and individual differences, and continue to advance inclusivity and connectedness throughout the community. Together, we can make a better world for those with Autism!
Industry Receives Exposure During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Tallahassee, FL (March 31, 2025) Designated as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), March serves as an opportunity to foster understanding, compassion, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities' 2025 theme, “We’re Here All Year,” emphasizes that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day – not just in March.
This month, Florida ARF has been celebrating DDAM and are appreciative for all the activity and focus that has been put on the IDD community this month. The Florida Legislature has been making strides to positively change our service system.
In the Senate, the Senate President led the passage of a bill that directs the Department of Health to request federal approval to provide expanded early intervention for children with autism to age four. The bill would also create two grant programs, one for specialized summer programs and one to support charter schools exclusively for children with autism, and it designates the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research, services, and best practices. The bill is now moving in the House where it is likely to be supported.
In the House, committees have held many discussions on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) service system. The iConnect evaluation report as well as implementation of iConnect, APD iBudget Waiver enrollment and pre-enrollment waitlists, and iBudget Waiver waitlists and expenditures were all workshopped and discussed in detail.
In addition to the discussions on the service system, the APD Agency bill (HB 1103) began moving in the House. The bill sponsor amended the bill with a committee substitute (CS) that removed language that merged Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Blind Services, and APD; requires APD to increase transparency by posting reconciliation reports and its iBudget pre-enrollment list online; mandates APD participate in transition planning activities with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for young adults with developmental disabilities who are also in the child welfare system; establishes the Statewide Family Care Council to coordinate with existing local Family Care Councils; and expands the voluntary participation in the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Pilot Program to all individuals on the APD pre-enrollment list by October 1, 2025, and to all individuals with developmental disabilities enrolled in a Medicaid wavier program by July 1, 2026; and clarifies the roles of APD and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in the IDD Pilot Program, emphasizing that AHCA is responsible for managing the program. HB 1103 has several additional stops before becoming law and the Senate companion is starting to move in the process.
We have much to be appreciative for as we celebrate the Florida Legislature’s commitment to enhancing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during DDAM. However, Session is far from over is stay tuned for further updates!
Governor DeSantis’s Announces the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility 2025-2026 Budget
Tallahassee, FL (February 3, 2025) Governor Ron DeSantis announced his budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026. The proposed “Focus on Fiscal Responsibility” Budget totals $115.6 billion with $14.6 billion in reserves, providing a significant reduction over last year’s spending while still leaving ample resources for unforeseen economic issues.
Governor DeSantis allocated over $2.6 billion in funds to support individuals with disabilities and their families with the following key investments in the Agency for Persons with Disabilities:
- $93.7 million to enroll individuals permissible onto the iBudget Waiver.
- $300,000 to acquire expert services for the final development phases of the Adult Pathways waiver as an added agency offering, which aims to provide specific services to help stabilize individuals and promote greater independence and empowerment as they graduate high school and transition to adulthood.
- $18.8 million to invest in critical infrastructure that serves Floridians with disabilities safely, including the design and construction plans for a new APD Forensic Facility.
- $1 million to organize an annual educational and networking conference for Floridians with disabilities to further spur connections with individuals, families, community and faith-based organizations, private sector partners, and state agencies.
- $1.3 million in supplemental funding to ensure immediate and short-term needs are met for individuals, such as respite, transportation, employment support, and adaptive equipment.
The budget also includes an additional $500,000 in funding for ICF/IIDs and funding for the Adults with Disabilities remained almost the same as the current fiscal year.
The Association is appreciative of the funds the Governor allocated to our industry. However, our provider funding needs still need to be addressed, which the Association will continue to advocate for during the 2025 Session.
Florida ARF Members Rally in Tally During Legislative Fly-In
Tallahassee, FL (January 16, 2025) Florida ARF staff and members came together in Tallahassee to advocate for the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities at the Capitol. Members met with key Legislators on Appropriations Committees in the House and Senate to share the needs of community providers serving individuals with disabilities. The top ask for 2025 is a 5% rate increase for iBudget waiver providers. Members also visited with their local Legislators to ask for support of the request. Other key issues for the 2025 Session are the ICF Level 3 rate, a rate increase for VR providers, modifications to iConnect, and monthly billing for Adult Day Training (ADT) services. The Association and our members have much advocacy to do to and will continue fighting for priority issues until the 2025 Session ends. Florida ARF looks forward to continuing the momentum during our February Fly-In!
